Wine and Dine Night at Cork’s Out Wine Shop Taman Tun Dr. Ismail

[Review]

 

My old neighbourhood of Taman Tun Dr. Ismail in Damansara, Kuala Lumpur continues to surprise me with more and more hidden gems. I did a review of Meat Point TTDI some months back and noticed that there was a wine shop next door. Unfortunately Meat Point TTDI was going for their Halal certification and thus patrons are not allowed to bring in their own red wine which would have gone oh so good with the steaks.

Anyway the wine shop next door which is called Cork’s Out Wine Shop is more than meets the eye. Upon closer inspection I discovered that there is actually a hidden bar at the back which you can enjoy the wines/ meads/ liquors which you purchase in the shop section with no additional corkage charge! What’s more is that there’s even food which are designed to go with your drinks.

 

 

 

 

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Limited Edition Vallformosa Cave Semi Seco (Spain) – RM138.00

Wine type: Brut, Cava Semi Seco

Varieties: Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada from some of the oldest vineyards of Cava region.

On the eye, the cava has a straw yellow with golden reflections, constant, clean bubbles, good foam and even better bead. On the nose, it is complex, elegant bouquet with aromas of fresh fruit, jovial, full and lively. Reminders of vie-flowers, apples and ripe peaches. On the palate it is rounded, well-balanced, subtle and pleasant in the mouth with a long finish.

This cava goes very well with desserts, ice-cream and fruit. Ideally served at 5-6ªC.

My partner in crime loves bubbly and even I thought this was pretty refreshing.

Maxwell Sparkling Mead, South Australia — RM 51.00

Mead is a unique beverage made by fermenting honey and you might have seen it in Marvel’s Thor movies as it was based on Viking/ Nordic culture. Archaeological evidence suggests it is the oldest fermented drink known to mankind, and was popular in Scandinavia while in ancient Greece it was known as “Ambrosia” – Nectar of the Gods. The Vikings believed it to be an aphrodisiac, and after a wedding, the groom drank mead for one month to inspire virility. This was known as the honey month, which evolved into the tradition of a “honeymoon”.

Maxwell Mead is not made from grapes, but from pure Australian honey. The Meads are remarkably versatile; and can be served in accompaniment to rich and flavoursome foods, and also used as mixers or in cocktails. Once opened, the mead can be kept for around one month if refrigerated, while the Liqueur Mead will last even longer.

On the nose, there were fresh aromas of honey, ginger and delicate spices. On the palate, there were yyouthful hints of citrus, white peaches and nectarine flavours together with ginger and spice. This 8% alcohol drink is best served chilled over ice with a few mint leaves or lime. This drink resembles a cross between ginger beer and a cider.

We had it with some slices of lime to cut through the sweet taste and give the drink another dimension. My partner in crime loved it even though she’s not too partial to sweet foodstuff/ drinks. I thought it was a very refreshing drink indeed and very addicitive.

STANLEY ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 (Marlborough New Zealand)- RM106.00

The Stanley Estate Sauvignon Blanc is a very aromatic wine, fruit driven but technically dry. Elegantly expressed aromas of gooseberries, intertwined with passionfruit and tropical fruit, with a ripe zesty fruit flavours of lychees, passionfruit and gooseberries balanced by green tomato stalk and capsicum. Fresh acidity, leading to a fine textured, finish of passionfruit and chalky minerals. At its best now to 2018.

It is a very aromatic wine, lush flavours of gooseberries, green tomato stalks and capsicums. It has ripe, zesty fruit flavours of lychees, passionfruit and gooseberries. There is a good long palate. Food match with fine seafood, chicken and Salads, or drink as an aperitif!

Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc, Single Estate, Awatere Valley, Marlborough

After a gentle pressing, the juice was settled and racked to stainless steel tanks, where it went through a slow, controlled fermentation using the French yeasts. The wine spent a good time on the leas to add a real depth of flavour and palate weight to the wine. The different harvest parcels were then blended together and prepared for bottling, under screwcap. This wine is best enjoyed young. Can cellar for up to 3 years.

Serving Temperature: Lightly Chilled (8-10°C)

This wine won gold at the International Wine Competition 2015.

This brand is one of my favourites from New Zealand as it’s really easy to drink yet complex enough to be enjoyed and savoured!

Boschendal Grande Reserve 2013, South Africa — RM 188.70

Appellation: Wine of Stellenbosch

Varieties: 70% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon

Each variety was handled separately and fermented in new open top French oak barrels for 10 days with at least 2 daily punch downs. Maturation was allowed in second-fill and older 300 litre barrels for 18 months before final blending.

On the eye there was a lovely brooding ruby depth with outspoken dark berry pastille and fleshy plum aromas layered with winter spice and roast cacao bean complexity. On the palate, the entry is smooth and rich leading to sumptuous ripe mulberry, black cherry and cassis flavours etched with black pepper and oak spice finishing with tremendous texture and lingering fruit concentration.

This one went beautifully with the pork dishes and was even better when aerated.

Five Spices Meat Rolls — RM20.00

Also known as lobak but the savoury flavour of this dish went really well with the drinks!

Jamon Pato — RM30

I absolutely love Jamon ham from Spain and this was lovely! The flavours went marvelously with the red wine.

Pulpo ala Gallega — RM50

Grilled octopus that went well with the white wine with the umami and smoky flavours complemented by the refreshing wine allowing you to keep on eating it!

Spaghetti Aglio-Olio with Tiger Prawn — RM28

Crispy Pork Belly — RM25

One word – AWESOME!

Simply awesome! I could eat this all day! This dish also went very well with the red wine.

Pan Seared Iberico Collar — RM48

From the photo above this dish looks like a mess but once I popped the meat into my mouth I closed my eyes and savoured it’s delicious flavours and textures! Have this with a sip of red wine and the whole flavour profile changes and gets even better! When the outlet said that they made dishes to go with their wines, they really meant it!

 

 

Now here’s a look at some of the labels at the shop. There are more but I just couldn’t shoot everything. Click on the photo to open a larger version.

 

Did you manage to catch the photo of the olive oil which I snuck into the album above? If not look again!

Cork’s Out Wine Shop is great when you need a bottle of wine/ liquor to bring to a house party. But if you have time, buy a bottle then open it at the bar behind and have some food to go along with it. Oh yeah, bring a friend or two to enjoy it with you.

 

Cork’s Out Wine Shop is located at:

60, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi,

Taman Tun Dr Ismail,

60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

Opening Hours: Open daily from 3.00pm to midnight

Telephone: 03-7727 7033

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CorksOutTTDI/

 

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