Freebird 1st Anniversary Menu, Oct 12th 2017

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australian wine, Bangkok, freebird bangkok, top russell, wine dinner

On Common Ground at Quince-Eatery & Bar, Oct 8th

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Bangkok, quince eatery & bar, Restaurant, Wine, wine dinner

Wine dinners this September!

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anselmo mendes, aphros, australia, Gary Mills, grand hyatt bangkok, il fumo, Jamsheed, luke lambert, niepoort, Portugal, tables grill, timo mayer, victoria, william downie, Wine, wine dinner, zambujeiro

We are pleased to be co-hosting two exciting dinners later this month at Tables Grill (Grand Hyatt) and Il Fumo. The beauty of these wines with equally matched by the creativity and input of both culinary teams, who know Australia and Portugal very well.

Leading wineries from Victoria, Australia at Tables Grill on Sep 22nd

6-course menu with 5 wines is thb 3,800++. Book through order@winegarage.asia and receive 15% off.

Viagem a Portugal at Il Fumo on Sep 27th

5 course menu is thb 2,200++ with optional wine pairing (6) at thb 1,800++. Book through order@winegarage.asia and receive 10% off.

 

Spanish Steps dinner at Bunker, May 7-9th, 2017

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andreas pergher, arnie marcella, Bangkok, bodega k, bunker, cims de porrera, dehesa la granja, equipo navazos, new american, olivier riviere, raventos i blanc, spain, spanish wine, wine dinner, wine garage, zarate

We are extremely pleased to work with Arnie Marcella, Chef and Andreas Pergher, Beverage Director, on this menu and wine pairing, which traces back Arnie’s history and stories.

The above 4-course menu is thb 2,250++ with optional wine pairing  at thb 1,500++.

Recently, the dining front of our City of Angels seems to progress faster than any other Asian metropoles; unfolding new entries, especially from Spain, with an array of dishes and wines that shed light on our senses.

For this dinner we propose wines from some of Spain’s most innovative regions or winemakers and invite you to join our road to discovery:

Raventos I Blanc, formerly in the Cava D.O, but Manuel and Pepe decided to depart in 2013, and began the process of creating a new, terroir driven appellation, Conca del Riu Anoia. As an aperitif we pour their chalky and dry Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2014.

Equipo Navazos, are partners Dr Jesús Barquín and Eduardo Ojeda, who have single-handedly revived the sherry landscape by releasing small lots from long-forgotten bodegas. This Florpower however is not fortified, but shows how the precise Palomino grape can become with ageing under flor for 20 months. Dense, with lovely minerality and nutty background.

Bodega K, is one of many producers in the wet and windy Basque country. We fell in love with the simple and fresh aromatics of Txacolina, which bursts with energy and pairs well with seafood.

Zarate, there is Albarino and there is Zarate. Say no more. Galicia’s favorite white wine for seafood.

Dehesa La Granja, is a mature Tempranillo from legendary winemaker Alejandro Fernandez of Pesquera. The Toro region brings out powerful and intense wines, however the 24 months in oak cask followed by 6 years bottle ageing does its trick here and delivers and great drink today.

Olivier Riviere, the terroirist Frenchman in Rioja, also works a small plot in the Arlanza DO. The high elevation and old vines planted in 1930s, makes a wine unlike any other Tempranillo – showcasing floral, black wild berries and spicy notes.

Vi de Vila Priorat, is made by the Cims de Porrera cooperatives high above the Mediterranean Sea. The old vines and unique licorella soil (black slate) are responsible for a powerful and intriguing red wine.

 

Arnie Marcella’s career was exclusively in star-studded NYC restaurants including Jean-Georges, Marea, Corton, Alto, The Elm, Aldea, Docle Stil Novo, and Ai Fiori. So perhaps, later next year, The Bangkok Michelin Guide will also have a place for Bunker?

To book please call  092 563 9991 or email reservation@bunkerbkk.com

 

Off track France at Aldo’s Bistro

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aldo's bistro, Bangkok, chateau maris, damien laureau, domaine des enfants, frederic lornet, herve frerard, off track france, stephane tissot

If you want the taste of fine classic French cuisine in Bangkok, you will need to seek out Chef Herve Frerard. Now settled in at Aldo’s Bistro (Ascott Sathorn) – we hear there are also several new projects in the pipeline – his aim is to offer quality food and wine at decent prices.

Please join us for a tasting of his premium canapes paired with some very interesting grapes from highly regarded producers in far off locales of France. Seats are thb 1,650 net and limited to 16 persons.

The 5 wines served include

Frederic Lornet Cremant de Jura VV Brut

Damien Laureau Savennieres Les Genets

Chateau Maris Brama

Stephane Tissot Trousseau

Domaine des Enfants L’Enfant Perdu

Wine & Tapas at Toro, Bangkok

Tags

andalusia, basque country, jumilla, penedes, rueda, sherry, spain, tapas, toro, wine pairing, wines from spain

Toro is the brainchild of James Beard Award-winner Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette, whose Boston outlet opened in 2005. As the queues got longer and longer, they soon ventured to New York City and since last year also opened in Bangkok. The Barcelona-inspired tapas bar is housed in Courtyard 72, a burgeoning open-plan mall, smack in the middle of bustling Thonglor.

On Wednesday, March 22, Chef Zach Watkins has selected 10 tapas dishes to pair with our wines from Penedes, Rueda, Basque Country, Jumilla, Toro and also Andalusia. The menu including wines is priced at thb 1,500++ per person and can be booked by calling

081 929 6562 or 02 392 7790

Come taste a fresher and more delicate Spain, and discover the changes that happened the past 15 years.

 

Raventos I Blanc Blanc de Blancs, traditional Cava grapes aged 18 months on lees

Basque country makes the ultimate seafood wine from Hondarrabi Zuri

Verdejo can be the next famous white grape from Spain. Belondrade’s unoaked Apolonia

Jumilla’s leading estate is Casa Castillo, making refined Monastrell, Syrah and Garnacha

Alejandro Fernandez’ estate in Toro, late released 2008

Equipo Navazos reawakens the sherry category with superb finds from old cellars

Basket Case

Tags

casa pagoda, christmas, luka cafe, quince eatery & bar, wine garage

Wine Garage and friends, or say neighbors in Sukhumvit  Soi 45, have prepared some interesting food and non-food items for gift giving season. Please browse through the 3 different sizes of hampers filled with home-made products from Quince Eatery & Bar, Casa Pagoda, Luka Cafe and Malou Tea.

SMALL – thb 3,300

Petite Casa Pagoda metal wire basket designed by Japanese brand Puebco

Two Casa Pagoda Christmas ornaments for the tree

Small Casa Pagoda reindeer candle holder (10 cm) ancient gold color

Casa Pagoda aromatic candle Fig & Cypress

Artisanal Malou Tea: – can choose from 5 (Sri Lanka Breakfast, The Earl, Green Tea Spearmint, Roiboos Rose Lavender, White tea Silver Tips)

Luka handmade gingerbread man cookies

Half bottle red wine Niepoort Redoma Tinto 2011 from Duoro in Portugal

MEDIUM – thb 4,200

Casa Pagoda market basket designed by Japanese brand Puebco

Two Casa Pagoda Christmas ornaments for the tree

Small Casa Pagoda reindeer candle holder (10 cm) ancient gold color

Casa Pagoda aromatic candle Fig & Cypress

Casa Pagoda Copper Cocktail Mug

Artisanal Malou Tea:  – can choose from 5 (Sri Lanka Breakfast, The Earl, Green Tea Spearmint, Roiboos Rose Lavender, White tea Silver Tips)

Quince Rosemary & Sesame crackers

Quince Greek olives

Luka handmade gingerbread man cookies

Red wine Chateau La Mothe du Barry Bordeaux Superieur 2014

LARGE – thb 6,500

Handy Casa Pagoda market basket designed by Japanese brand Puebco

Two Casa Pagoda Christmas ornaments for the tree

Set of 2 Casa Pagoda reindeer candle holders (10 & 16 cm) ancient gold color

Casa Pagoda aromatic candle Fig & Cypress

Casa Pagoda Copper Cocktail Mug

Two artisanal Malou Teas: – can choose from 5 (Sri Lanka Breakfast, The Earl, Green Tea Spearmint, Roiboos Rose Lavender, White tea Silver Tips)

Quince Rosemary & Sesame crackers

Quince Greek olives

Luka handmade gingerbread man cookies

One bottle sparkling Drusian Prosecco Superiore & off dry white wine Pinon Vouvray Moelleux La Lune

For interest please email us: order@winegarage.asia

Domaine Montanet Thoden, Vezelay, Burgundy

Tags

burgundy, Chardonnay, la cadette, montanet thoden, vezelay

In 1989 I was lucky enough to have traveled to Marc Meneau’s Esperance in Vezelay – then one of France’s top dining destinations with 3 Michelin stars. I suppose everyone visiting this part of Burgundy will have remembered the restaurant, and quickly forget the name of the town. Not because it’s insignificant, but the restaurant was located several kilometers below the beautiful mountain top and likely wasn’t visited as often.

Fast forward 25 years. I was wondering around Millesime Bio, the largest organic wine fair in Montpellier, searching for Thomas Pico’s (Domaine Pattes Loup) father and sat down next to the charming and energetic Valentin Montanet. We did not really discuss his wines,  and focused on all sorts of things including his favorite honeymoon destination – Thailand. I parted, saying I would call him up when visiting Chablis few months later.

 

In April I arrived chez Domaine Montanet Thoden before flowering started in the vineyards. Only then did I realize I was in the same village as Marc Meneau’s restaurant. Now closed for business and as Valentin said “the days when Americans flew in by helicopter to lunch in one and go for dinner in another 3-star Michelin are over. This is now a sleepy village.”

No Michelin, who cares – they offer the best beef tartar and a gorgeous plum in a small bistro! And thank god the wines also improved! So good, they are now listed in many natural wine bars from Paris to Tokyo and Hong Kong. Made from beautiful old vine Chardonnay, organically grown on limestone soil, these are the prime ingredients for a mineralic Chardonnay comme un Chablis. You find here subtle citrus and nutty essence with white flowers.

One of France’s affordable trophies, and perfect lucky find!

Skirts, rumps & deep reds

Tags

accidental butcher, alain chabanon, cape grim, domaine chabanon, montpeyroux, quince eatery & bar, steve craig, tasmania, wine garage

Inside track with the Accidental butcher

There is certainly a wide range of beef around for carnivores to embellish, and one of them must be the free-range Cape Grim from Tasmania.

Inside flank, lovely

Steve Craig, owner of Accidental Butcher, explained the uniqueness of the forgotten cuts and how to prepare them, while Blair Mathieson, chef at Quince – Eatery & Bar grillled them lightly and served with either anchovy butter, tarragon aioli or red pepper jam.

A Wine Garage event would not be complete without sound wine, and guests were lucky to meet and taste the organic wines from Alain Chabanon, the local hero in in Montperoux. All his wines have great varietal expression while successfully marrying mediterranean warmth with elegance.

Montperoux wines

My personal favorite was a special cut called Picanha, which is part of rump cap.

Thomas Henry, new age sodas

Tags

adult soda, fevertree, ginger ale, soda, thomas henry, tonic

new age sodas

Thomas Henry, as you all know, was the chap who invented soda water in England in 1773! But it took some quality-minded Germans to come up with this name for new age, or better, adult sodas in 2010.

These are intensely flavored mixers for great long drinks, made from choice herbs and other ingredients.

Got these samples put into my bag at Prowein 2014. Perhaps there will be an importer interested to carry them in Thailand, since the Fevertree, the other alternative is constantly sold out.

4.5 stars for Tonic and Ginger Ale, 3.5 stars for Bitter Lemon (out of 5) and the rest of the line up I did not yet taste.