Top drinks in the Asian media

Bourbon

Writing in 48 Hours, Charley Lanyon took a look at the use of bourbon in Hong Kong’s increasingly lively cocktail scene.

He wrote: “It is enjoying a sophisticated revival as bars the world over embrace its smooth, smoky flavour” and, he added, “Hong Kong’s drinkers and bartenders are, as usual, hot on the heels of the trend.”

Looking at bourbon-based cocktails both classic and reinvented, he suggests the best bars to get your bourbon “fix”, including Salon No 10, Duddell’s, 208 Duecento Otto, Chachawan, Fatty Crab HK and 001, in particular the bourbon Manhattan in Duddell’s and 208’ Derby and Hong Kong Style (pictured) at Duecento Otto.

Tamar Ridge Chardonnay 2011

Also writing in 48 Hours, Sarah Wong was looking at Australian wine, in particular those from Tamar Ridge.

The Chardonnay she described as having a “medium body, elegant with crisp acidity and showing purity of fruit.”

Tamar Ridge Pinot Noir 2011

As an accompaniment to the Chardonnay, the estate’s Pinot Noir was noted as having hints of: “Fresh strawberry, raspberry and cherry.”

Meanwhile, on the palate it was described as having a, “medium body with good fruit intensity, crisp acidity and strong tannins.”

A “pure varietal expression of Pinot Noir”.

2002 Domaine Bonneau du Martray, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

Jeannie Cho Lee MW on Asian Palate tasted this “beautiful” Burgundy full of “focus and intensity” recently.

She noted that there is a good deal of bottle variation, with three bottles opened on one occasion revealing one that was “evolved and oxidised”, the second merely “fresh and very youthful” and the last “drinking beautifully”.

http://www.asianpalate.com/wine_reviews/wine_database/detail/120/2002

2009 Numanthia – Termanthia

A “big, powerful Toro”, also tasted by Lee which is “polished and supple” which handles its 200% new oak well.

She added: “From 120-year old Tempranillo vines, this wine has nice depth, sweet dark fruits, hint of cocoa and dried black tea leaves in the finish. 15% alcohol is well integrated in the wine.”

2013 Spade Oak Voysey Series Chardonnay

In the New Zealand Morning Herald, John Hawkesby continued his selection of the best white wines for (a southern hemisphere) winter.

One choice was this Gisborne that “delivers at a reasonable price, with plenty of classic Chardonnay character, layered citrus fruits with savoury hints and nutty oak characters.”

A “biggish wine but not overburdened by alcohol.”

2012 Black Estate Chardonnay

This Waipara-based white was also on the list, “lavish, lush and wonderfully constructed.”

“This wine has superb weight with a mineral texture and refreshing white peach, hazelnut and citrus flavours.”