Tag Archives: wine-tasting

A great wine-tasting

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I had a fantastic wine-tasting recently, which took place at Graze, Hilton KL. It’s very rare that i love all the wines at these sessions, but man, these were perfectly-selected.

The delicious award-winning Californian wines are under Treasury Wine Estates, and the session was guided by TWE Winemaking Ambassador Stuart Rusted.

The congregation

The congregation

We had several wines before and during lunch, starting with the Beringer Founder’s Estate Sauvignon Blanc. Refreshing & fruity in a citrusy way, soft, but rich as well. Clean grassy finish.

It’s for sure a superb wine, one that could easily challenge New Zealand’s sauvignon blancs. The grapes are from vineyards on the Central Coast mixed with those from the California Delta. I had to go for seconds. And thirds.

Come 'ere u!

Come ‘ere u!

It’s RRP is RM89, which is awesome value. Beringer has been producing since 1876 in Napa Valley.

After i got my late breakfast outta the way we had the Chardonnay. It was the Sterling Vineyards VC (RRP RM117). Again, the right amount of fruit, minimal dryness when it ends, and less oaky that the usual. A citrusy finish.

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Main course, NZ sirloin

A little tipsy by the time lunch was served. Food was awesome, as usual.

This was probably the first time i had a Cali merlot, the Stags Leap Napa Valley Merlot 2014 (279). Wine growers have faced a drought there for a decade, giving the grape richer flavours. As is typical of merlots, this one has a dry finish; however not the tongue-twisting dryness that usually puts me off merlot.

I’m more of a cabsauv kinda guy. We were served the Beaulieu Vineyards Cab Sauv 2015 (92). On my palate i got sweet berry. It’s also a little ‘leafy’, with tannin, but these are lighter flavours. Finish is velvety. Another excellent production.

BV_Asia CA CabSauv_750_nvThis was followed by an on-point Pinot, Sterling Vineyards VC Pinot Noir 2015 (117). It does a 10-month bid in American & French oak. The concentrated palate is rich with good depth and complex flavors of dark berries.

Dessert wasn't a dessert wine

Dessert wasn’t a dessert wine

For the finale, our glasses were blessed with the Beringer Private Reserve Cab Sauv 2012 (489). (ABV 14.9%)

The sifu for the day

The sifu for the day, kickin back

Their wines are near-perfect. Amazing stuff.

And understandably except for the Private Reserve, the prices are as enticing as the quality of these superb productions.

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I’ll definitely get my hands on some these wines, and not necessarily for special occasions either. Sunday breakfast should do.

 

Brain damage: 8/10

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A wine journey

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Wine Journey is a regular wine education session by Wine Daddy. No, it’s not a pimp, but a tutor who takes a small class over a couple of hours.

The Wine Daddy is Prakash, who has the sessions at Sanctuary@7, his awesome residence in Damansara Heights, KL. I had the opportunity to checkout his wine cellar. Very nice. I plan to go back there when he’s out.

Wine briefing

Wine briefing

The sessions, which are kinda weekly, are basically wine education and appreciation, and they organize introductory and more advanced tasting sessions to educate the wine palates of both the budding as well as the more experienced wine enthusiast.

Movin on...

Movin on…

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On

It starts with the various types of wines there are. Then it moves on to the various regions around the world, as well as has how to nose and taste wines.

It’s interactive, and groups are small. Questions are always asked.

What we tried

What we tried

FYI

FYI

More details on their FB page here.

 

Brain damage: 6/10

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A lil’ taste

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Hit a wine tasting last week. Its been awhile. The last time, i was a panelist!

This one was organized by Adventure & Leisure (A&L), a company that deals in all sorts of cool outdoor gear, like the Igloo coolers featured here, as well as wines and ports.

Adventure & booze: My two favourite things.

Wine 'em, dine 'em, sixty-nine 'em

Went down in Italiannies @ The Gardens, KL. My camera was missing for a week (don’t ask), so pix here are from a borrowed a camera dat dont really shoot at night. (Actually, not much diff with my camera then!) To top it off, i was late. A disorganized day.

Dealer

Seven wines, seven courses. All Italian. $90 net.

My fave was a rosé – Zenato Bardolino DOC, served right at the start (with bruschetta man, one of my goddam numero uno appetizers!). Good drink to kick-off – Easy to drink, not very dry, enough body, and a light finish. Had to have more than one.

Nice spot

Of the food, notable ones were the first course – Prawns & zucchini balls with capers, basil & sun-dried tomato cream. Also the Lamb cutlets, served with butternut squash, roasted cherry tomato & beans, in a rosemary, thyme and mint sauce. Quite a hit. This one came with a red obviously, the Notte di Gallileo Reserva.

Course number 5 - Baked chicken chillin on Milanese risotto, which is drier than normal

Various other Italian wines were featured – 2 whites, 3 reds, and a sparkling red, Merzemino. This was served at the end, as opposed to the regular procedure of opening the evening with a bubbly. Thats coz this one’s sweet, so it became a dessert wine, which came with a Tiramisu, Panna Cotta (i swear this sounds like a vulgar Tamil word or sumtin) and a Rum Baba, which is some pudding made with rum. Surprisingly, not my thing.

Prices range between $65 – $93, although on the nite, they were priced $55 – $75. Very reasonable.

A&L director LC Leong does sessions like this quite regularly. Look forward to the next one, and this time i’ll be more prepared! And will detail more.

The right way to end the night

Brain damage: 7/10

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Senget judges?

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I guess even the experts cant agree when it comes to the complicated drink of wine (mostly man-made complications). I wrote recently about my very intoxicating experience at a blind-tasting session. Thing is, u arent supposed to get intoxicated at a tasting.

A researcher has found that wine judges cant really tell what they’re tasting. There’re inconsistencies in their judging, although they’re sober. There’s a short article on this on Drinks International.

Boozing and paperwork should never mix

It's confirmed - paperwork & booze cant mix

Quote: “Robert Hodgson created a stir earlier this year when he claimed that individual judges in the California State Fair Wine Competition often rated the same wine differently.” (Blind-tastings.)

I think when they say shite like “exhibits extraordinary purity, and beautiful sweet blackberry and cassis notes along with hints of graphite, camphor, and a subtle, but intense meaty character”, then they’re probably talking cock. They might as well swallow d goddam wine rather than spit during tastings. Fuckin wastage. They are people starving around d world man.

At least then they’ll get drunk. And instead of rapping about aromas of red ink and goddam goat leather, they’d say, “O yeaaaaaaaa, i liiiike this one. Hit me again! *Buuurp!* It’s a ffff-fff-fuckinggggg good wine!”

Easy enough to understand.

The manner in which the judge says “fucking” determines the level of the wine’s quality.

Well, I guess u just need to sound cool (superb tips here), and u can pass off as a pro!

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