Thursday, January 29, 2009

Tasting Room


wine & single malt highlights:
....30 wines by the glass priced from RM15 to RM33
....>300 wines by the bottle priced from RM50 to RM3800
....wine flights - a wine program which we have designed to allow you to try many wines by the glass in smaller portions all at one go. our latest one is called into the future flight - you must try this as we emulate the same wine to let you taste it as how it would taste in 5 years time, and 10 years time!
....>15 single malt whiskies by the glass priced from RM16 to RM48


beer highlights:
....we carry boutique beers such as weihenstephaner, the oldest brewery in the world, little creatures (cited as one of australia's best beers) and many other boutique beers.
...come try our beer flight where you can try wheat beers, comparison of holland, belgium and german beers and compare lighter versus heavier beers

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Simple Wine Drinking Etiquette Tips To Enjoy - April Kerr

It doesn't matter whether you enjoy a glass of wine at home with friends, in a restaurant or in a tasting room at a vineyard, there are a number of things that you should avoid doing. This will really help you, and those you are with, have an enjoyable experience.

Wine Tasting

You can enjoy a wine taster at a vineyard or even a local wine shop, either way the correct etiquette should be followed.

If you are going to be tasting a number of different types of wine you traditionally start with the white wines first. This is because white wines are lighter in both taste and body compared to red wine. After you have tasted the white wines you can then move onto the reds which are fuller bodied.

When holding your glass, make sure to grip the stem. If you hold the wine glass by the bowl, your hand will heat the wine. This could change the flavor.

Even the smallest details can change the flavour of wine. So make sure you don't wear any strong smelling perfumes which could mask or interfere with the bouquet.

Avoid eating heavily flavoured foods such as curries and don't smoke. Both these things will limit the flavours you'll taste in the wine.

Restaurant Wine Etiquette

When ordering wine with a meal in a restaurant make sure you select one which compliments your meal. When asking the server, or better yet the restaurants sommeliers, for a recommendation, be sure to be specific. Ask what wines compliment your dish and say whether you prefer full-bodied wines or wines from a specific region.

Once the wine has been selected and brought to the table, one of you should have a taste of it. A small amount will be poured and the taster will swirl it in the glass and have a sip. When approval is given, wine is poured starting on the right with women having their glasses filled first. The host's glass is topped off last.

Serving Wine To Guests at Home

Although you are in your own home, many of the same rules apply such as the way you hold a glass and the fact that women and older guest should be served first.

Select some wines which you think your guests will enjoy. Start with light white wines in the same way you do in a tasting room. Also select foods that will complement the wines such as cheese and fruit. Swiss, brie and Gouda go excellently well with white wine. Next move onto the red wines. Reds have a heavier body than whites. Select a red that goes well with your main dish if you are having a meal. If you are having a simple party, again, have cheeses that will bring out the flavor of the wine.

Finish off the evening with a sweet dessert wine. Port is a wonderful choice. Make sure you choose a dessert that will compliment it.
Author: April Kerr

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Tips for Getting Into Wine



Many people who were not raised in a wine drinking family decide they want to start drinking wine in their adult years, both because it adds a lovely flavor to meals and because of the health benefits. How do you get started with healthy wine drinking?

First off, it would be impossible for me (or any other 3rd party) to tell you what type of wine YOU are likely to enjoy, flavor wise. We all have different taste buds! Maybe you have a sweet tooth and would love the light, White Zinfandel variety. Maybe you are a tea drinker and would enjoy a red with a bit of tannin in it. Maybe you're a coffee-with-cream drinker and would love a smooth, buttery Chardonnay.

Your best bet here is to order random wines in restaurants, by the glass. Most restaurants serve very "middle of the road" wines that appeal to the widest range of palates. Each time you go out, try a different wine and keep a notebook of which you like, which you don't like and why. There's no right or wrong here. You are free to hate any wine! But soon you'll see a pattern of what types YOU enjoy, and those are the ones to then try different brands of and learn more about.

Next, people sometimes think that some wines are better for health reasons than other wines. They even go so far as to ask which brands of wine are healthiest! While I have many pages on wine and health, the big point is that both red AND white wine give benefits - and that the benefit is that the wine comes from a "red grape" and a "white grape". Researchers don't do research based on brands of wine. They do research on "all wine". The research is then duplicated in other labs using entirely different sets of wine. So really all that matters is you are drinking WINE - and it doesn't matter if it's a bargain RM49.90 bottle or an expensive RM180.90 bottle.

Most wine drinkers drink a glass of wine with dinner each night, so you should drink a wine you enjoy! You don't want this to be a "chore" you have to do. So choose wines that you like the taste of that fall within your budget range, whatever budget that might be. And give a toast to your health!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Wine Cellar - Ambassadors of Fine Wine

Wine Cellar is located at No. 65 Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It' a great place to hangout with old friends or with business associates.

High quality wines:
i) Grand Crus
ii) Super Tuscans
iii) Rare wines
iv) Boutique wines (see list of vineyards distributed by us below)

  • Wine accessories (glasses, wine openers, wine preservation kits, wine bags, wine chillers/fridges, wine magazines, wine books)

  • Free delivery within Kuala Lumpur with a minimum purchase of RM500

  • Winemaker’s dinners

  • Free monthly newsletter with info on new wines, promotions and wine tips

  • Gift vouchers and gift wrapping service

  • Corporate wine events and wine concepts

  • Wine tours

Saturday, January 17, 2009

The Wine Room - Kuala Lumpur

The Wine Room is the most stylish and intimate lounge located along Asian Heritage Row (AHR), and in 2005 was voted Best Wine Bar in Kuala Lumpur by KLUE magazine. Located next to Bar SaVanh and occupying the first floor of units 58 and 60 on Jalan Doraisamy (off Jln Sultan Ismail, Next to the Sheraton Imperial Hotel), Wine Room is easily accessible via the KL monorail Medan Tuanku station and within walking distance from the Putra LRT Dang Wangi Station.

Ten acres of open air parking is readily available at the UDACO car park next to Asian Heritage Row, and additional car park and valet services are provided at Sheraton Hotel.
The Wine Room is designed based on an eclectic mix of furnishings and decorative artefacts from various periods. There are similarities in design with that found at the Soho house in New York and London. There is a sense of tension and deliberate contradiction in its design with the contrast in textures through out. Velvet, marble, tile and stainless steel were some of the specially chosen materials used, as they age well over time. The mix of wood, concrete, stainless steel, low slung sofas and restrained lighting make this a great place to chill and lounge. The Wine Room exudes the feeling of being in a private members club with a sense of a personalized touch in its furniture and art pieces, which were collected by the owner proprietor over the years. Antique Chinese furniture and a 70's arm chair are just some pieces among the collection here. The feeling is slightly European contrasted with an Asian mix of artefacts.

Wine Room is located one floor up and provides a fine aerial view from its two split levels of elevated outdoor seating. The lighting inside is dim allowing for individualized control in various areas. Strong loft light sensibility, double volume height and a high ceiling pitch roof structure gives the space its elegance. The artwork is custom produced using contemporary black and white photography contributing to the 3 colour palettes themed in all the décor; grey, red and white. Light meals such as a cheese platter, pizzas and other finger food are served along with a good selection of wines, champagnes, cigars, liquor, and imported beers.

The atmosphere at the Wine Room is relaxed, and the place hip and cool, often crowded with local celebrities and good looking patrons. It is sexy in a sophisticated way and has an understated elegance that both seduces and beguiles.
Seating capacity of 100 inside and 50 outside, with standing room for another 50. Can accommodate up to 200 people.

Opening Hours: 4:30pm - Late ( Monday to Saturday ) Closed on Sunday Phone / Fax: 03 2691 8672 / 03 2691 8669 Email: wineroom@asianheritagerow.com

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Is Wine Good for Me?

Q: Are we supposed to drink wine or not? Some studies say drink a glass of red wine every day, some studies say drinking any alcohol causes cancer. It is confusing!

A: You are so right. There are lots of studies suggesting the benefits of red wine and alcohol. What is important to keep in mind is that most of these studies are population based meaning that the real cause and effect is not definitely known. By the same standards, we have evidence of the dangers of alcohol, too.

We do know that antioxidants seem to play a role in keeping our bodies healthier, but there are plenty of ways to get antioxidants without drinking.

I, myself, am not a teetotaler. If you consume alcohol, keep your consumption to one drink a night if you are female and no more than two per night if you are male. If you are not currently a drinker, I would not recommend that you start consuming alcohol just because of the reported health benefits.

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Wined & Dined

By Annie B. Bond

There is good science (as well as a sense of fun!) behind this antiseptic facial exfoliator and smoother, made with kitchen-cupboard ingredients. Wine, for example, has been used for centuries by wise beauties to soften and smooth the skin (this formula makes a great use for any Valentine’s Day leftovers!) because of its alpha-hydroxy acids. Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS
1 cup white wine
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon bay
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

1. In a small saucepan, combine the wine and the rosemary, bay, and thyme. Simmer over very low heat for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, strain out the herbs and discard them.

2. Add glycerin to the herbed wine mixture and combine.

3. To use: Pat formula onto clean skin and allow to remain for 10 minutes, if possible. Rinse, pat dry, and apply your favorite moisturizer.