I was invited by Celeste (Marketing Manager from Winetalk) for a Wine Appreciation Evening for bloggers on the 24th June 2014, at La Bodega Lounge in Bangsar. The location is just a walking distance from Bangsar Village and easy to find.
I tried 5 types of the wines with an accompanying appetizer. We were served three white wines first, followed by 2 red wines. Most importantly, all these wines were exclusive to Wine Talk; we wouldn't find these in other wine shops.
Tucumen Sauvignon Blanc – Mendoza, Argentina
served with Pulpo a la Gallega- Spanish octopus with potatoes, paprika and extra virgin olive oil
Tucumen is a collection of Premium Mendoza wines created by the owner of Bodega Budeguer. The name ‘Tucumen’ is a tribute to their roots in the Tucumán Valley and the arrival in the Mendoza Valley! Their Sauvignon Blanc is a soft and mellow wine, with delicate floral and citrus notes; it offers a fresh and balanced acidity, with great subtle aromas of peach and lemon. This aromatic Sauvignon Blanc is excellent as an aperitif and a very good companion for seafood, fish, pastas, poultry and goat cheese.
Monte da Peceguina ‘Branco’ – Alentejo, Portugal
served with Gambas al Ajillo with Tiger prawns deliciously sauteed in olive oil, garlic and chili.
The Branco (white) cuvée is a classic blend of local Portuguese varieties; it showcases a very aromatic expression of the grapes, with citrus and floral notes, combined with a great minerality and intense flavors, balanced by a great acidity. To be enjoyed with roasted prawns Al Ajillo, rich fishes or grilled white meats.
served with Albondigas Saint Climent- delectable lamb meatballs in a rich brandy sauce.
This is a classic Southern France Rosé, made mostly from a very old local varietal, the Picquepoul Noir. Light grenadine pink in colour, expressive, vibrantly fresh nose with notes of wild strawberries and fruit drops. On the palate, fine balance between the fruitiness, fatness and acidity.
served with Arroz Negro con Calamares y Allioli- Spanish rice cooked in a paella with squid ink and squids, topped with garlic mayonnaise and tiger prawns
This cuvee is aged in stainless steel to keep the authenticity of the opulent, bright fruit. A beautifully elegant palate with round tannins, layered with clove spice, ripe cherries and violets. It works excellently with feast-worthy food like roasted duck, grilled meats or spicy tomato pasta.
served with cheese platter- selection of cheeses with dried fruits and crackers
Pago de Cirsus is a mix of local (Tempranillo) and International (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay) grapes with the clear goal of making high quality Reserva wines.
This 'Vendimia Seleccionada' (Selected Harvest) is made from a spread of their best low-yielding parcels, fermented partly in large oak casks and aged for 12 months in oak barrels. It showcases an abundance of red fruits like plum aromas and ripe black berries, typical of Tempranillo, blended with scents of cocoa.
My favourite wine of the night is the first one - Tucumen Sauvignon Blanc. It doesn't taste too strong and is very food-friendly. For sure, I will highly recommend it to my friends. I also really enjoyed the Gambas al Ajillo (Tiger prawns deliciously sauteed in olive oil, garlic and chili) and the cheese platter.
Wine Talk’s sommelier, David Stephan, grew up in a fishing village in the Bretagne region of Western France. He studied hospitality and sommelerie in professional school for 4 years, with internship including stints in various hotels & renowned restaurants of his region or in Paris. David fell in love with Malaysia at his 1st visit back in 2006, and if he and his wife were to leave China, it would be the 1st destination targeted. It happened in 2011, when they relocated to Kuala Lumpur, and are now calling it home.
DAVID’s TOP 8 TIPS to appreciate
and taste wine like a PRO:
- Hold the wine glass by the stem, not
by its bowl.
- Swirl the wine in your glass, be
careful not to spill.
- Sniff the wine.
- Look at the color of the wines.
- Sip the wine. Take note: SIP not
gulp.
- Take note of the aftertaste.
- Swirl, sniff then sip again.
- Be familiar with basic wine terms.
I really enjoyed the Wine Talk. All in all, it was a magical evening filled with the clinking of wine glasses coupled with the rich aromas of their appetizers.
Thanks again for the invitation from Wine Talk and La Bodega Lounge. I love my certificate and the complimentary wine!
Wine Talk Wine Prices as below:
Tucumen Sauvignon Blanc – RM72
Monte da Peceguina Branco – RM90
Château Fontarèche Corbières ‘Tradition’ Rosé – RM70
Lion’s Lair Shiraz – RM55
Pago De Cirsus ‘Vendimia Seleccionada’ – RM81
La Bodega Food Prices:
· Gambas al Ajillo RM38
· Albondigas "Saint Climent" RM20 (small), RM30 (large)
· Cheese Platter RM25 (1 pax), RM25 (2 pax)
· Pulpo a la Gallega RM75
· Arroz Negro con Calamares y Allioli RM35 (1 pax), RM68 (2 pax)
For further information on Wine Talk kindly contact:
CELESTE DE JESUS –
CHOO
Marketing Manager
M: +6010
211 7699
E: celeste@winetalk.com.my
La Bodega Lounge Jalan Telawi Dua, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur, 59100, Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala Lumpur. Phone : +603-2287 3808 www.bodega.com.my/labodega
