Monday, March 31, 2008

A New Trend?


I know I've been rather slack lately and I do apologize...I know work should never be an excuse for ignoring my poor blog but I have been rather caught up with writing at the magazine along with taking up some additional freelance projects.

I did come across something last Friday at a wine tasting event though and I just HAD to share it with you...have you ever heard of sparkling red wine?

Well I hadn't right until last Friday night...I walked into this wine tasting I was invited to with no prior knowledge of what I would be sampling...I straight away noticed two very weird things going on...

Firstly the red wine was sitting in buckets of ice...yes ICE...sacrilegious!

Then the server picked up the bottle from the bucket and poured the red wine into a champagne flute...but where were the large rounded glasses to allow the wine to breathe? None in sight...

So I decided to take a sip...and just as the wine hit my lips the server said "it's sparkling"...and immediately I felt the bubbles tingle on my tongue and the look of surprise must have registered on my face...because she then she proceeded to tell me that this event was to launch a new wine in Malaysia...a Sparkling Shiraz that has been a common thing in Australia but is now only being introduced to other markets...

The innovative signature Henry Martin Sparkling Shiraz originally from Australia is created using the Charmat process in which the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in bulk tanks and is then bottled under pressure. It is served chilled in a champagne flute which makes for a sophisticated and trendy drink.
It has an extended middle palate with hints of mulberries, black pepper and subtle vanilla oak complexities with a lingering dry finish.

I was told that it’s fruity smooth balance pairs perfectly with light tapas, spicy Asian dishes, and goes especially well with chocolate rich desserts...yum I gotta try it with that!!

I found it to be very light and a little easier to drink than the traditional red wine...especially in a warm climate where a cold refreshing drink is always a treat!

Has anyone else heard of this before?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's my first time hearing of this. Where can I get it?

Chefspiration said...

Hi there! You can check it out on www.henrymartinwines.com they have an outlet in Bangsar where you can buy it...if not Cavell in Desa Sri Hartamas serves it along with 7ate9and the Hilton :)

Anonymous said...

hey..just went to the outlet, it is cool.

Their address: 32 (GF) Jalan Kemaju, off Jalan Bangsar
or visit : www.henrymartinwines.com

Anonymous said...

My husband and I were just discussing the benefits of drinking red wine (just saw a Dr Oz episode of Oprah) and this sounds like it might be a good alternative to red wine which I don't usually like.

Big Boys Oven said...

oh this is really interesting! wow, something i would like to try!

Chefspiration said...

lorraine- Yeah! I'm not a red wine drinker either...and this went down really nice...very light and refreshing.

big boys oven- Do go check it out...good stuff!

suryasta said...

i am gonna let my friends check this out