Be Careful Where You Buy Your Red.

A few days ago I dropped into a local food and wine store to grab a bottle of South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon that I had been looking forward to all day. As I made my way to the back of the store where the red wines were stored I noticed that the room temperature suddenly rose. This immediately set alarm bells rattling through my brain and as I picked up the bottle they became deafening!

Unfortunately this happens quite a lot in Hong Kong and I suspect in most countries that enjoy elevated temperatures and humidity. The problem is that most people don't realise how badly and easily wine can be effected by heat.

Prolonged exposure to raised temperatures effectively cooks the wine and results in sweet stewy fruits, jaminess and often discolouration. This is known as Maderisation.

This most commonly happens in transport through being left in non-insulated shipping containers in the summer sun or in non-temperature controlled warehouses. The other place this can occur is in the retail outlet or when it gets placed in the trendy wine rack in your non temperature controlled home.

The ideal storage temperature for red wine is between 10-16C (50-55F) which is actually quite cool. A simple test is to pick up the bottle. If it feels cool then it is probably OK if not then chances are you may have some issues with it, if not today, in the near future.

Of course my need for an Aussie Cab over powered my common sense and I purchased the bottle. Luckily it was only slightly maderised and I championed on through it. This is about the third time this has happened to me when purchasing from small or non-specialist wine shops.

My recommendation: if the wine is not stored in a temperature controlled environment, don't buy it. 

Dean Aslin.

Dean is the Marketing Manager for Saveurs International (Asia) and he welcomes all comments on his posts.

Featured Outlet - Graze, Sheung Wan

Ok, I'll admit that the idea of a cafe in Sheung Wan isn't exactly new but like most things in life the secret is in the execution. This is where they have excelled.

At first glance the menu appears similar to any other cafe but when you have a look at the food on display you know it isn't. Opening at 8am on weekdays and 9am on weekends you can start your day with a healthy breakfast menu and a cup of coffee made from Graze's very own whole bean grind or one of their gourmet teas if you would prefer.

After breakfast there really is quite a large selection to keep you "Grazing" throughout the day. Salads, Sandwiches, Pastas, Quiches, Burritos (they look really good), Muffins, Cookies and don't get me started on the desserts. Everything is available to have in the small but comfortable dinning area or you can take away (Including the wine).

When I visited I was behaving and just had the baby spinach, toasted walnut & blue cheese salad that was really good and surprisingly filling. My good behavior didn't extend to the beverages and I did indulge in a couple of glasses of Summerhouse Chardonnay while I relaxed after a busy Monday.

The thing that you notice about Graze is that, despite the happy staff and fun atmosphere of this cozy place, they do take what they do very seriously. The standard of all the ingredients is extremely high, as is the service, but despite this they have offered everything at very reasonable prices.

If you are on foursquare then you'll be wrapped with the special offers you can get just for checking in. Click HERE for the details.

Essential Details Are:

address

ground floor chao's building,
143-145 bonham strand, sheung wan, hong kong
香港上環文咸東街143-145號趙氏大廈地下

telephone and fax

t. +852 2850 7766 | f. +852 2850 7997

email

for more information, email us at info@graze.hk

opening hours

monday to friday: 8am to 9pm

saturday, sunday & public holidays: 9am to 5pm 

I'm told it gets pretty busy in the mornings so get there early with your paper!

Web Site at www.graze.hk and follow them on twitter @grazecafe

Written by Dean Aslin, Marketing Manager at Saveurs

Places To Go!

Impress your friends with these great finds and you'll save on the bill with their great wine specials this month too.

BACKSTAGE Live Restaurant

There is always something going on from live music, open mike, drama and free jams and at Backstage you're amongst the action. You can now enjoy a huge selection of Oysters from the bar and wash them down with our wines. 

1/F Somptueux Central, 52-54 Wellington Street, Central Ph: 2167 8985

• 2009 Italia Pinot Grigio, Italy, by the glass
• 2009 Valduero Garcia Viadero, Ribera del Duero, Spain, by the glass
• 2009 Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ

Bull's Kitchen 

If you're over Ap Lei Chau way keep an eye out for this local place serving up western dishes and of course, some good wines. Shop 2, LG/F, Sham Wan Towers, 3 Ap Lei Chau Drive, Ap Lei Chau.

• 2009 Italia, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy, by the glass
• 2008 Italia Mutepulciano d'Abruzzo, DOC, Italy, by the glass
• 2005 Chateau Lamoliere, Fronsac, France
• 2006 Chateau Bernadotte, Haut Medoc, France

O3 by Oyster Cube 

A contemporary seafood restaurant with a relaxed and comfortable setting that specialise in fresh oysters like the name suggests. 5/F, City Plaza, Taikoo Shing.

• 2009 Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ
• 2008Italia, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, IT
• 2009 MOJO Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills, AU
• 2008 MOJO Shiraz, Barossa, AU

Wu Kong Restaurant

A modern up market restaurant serving modern Shanghai style cuisine. You'll find our wines on special at the Times Square outlet on the 13/F

• 2009 Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ
• 2006 Chateau Bernadotte, Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc

If you would like any more information or suggestions on where to enjoy our wines send us an email to marketing@saveurs.com.hk

Wine of the month - August

We would like to recommend some places that you can go to drink some of our great wines. Here are just a few that are offering wine of the month promotions.

O3 by Oyster Cube 

A contemporary seafood restaurant with a relaxed and comfortable setting that specialise in fresh oysters like the name suggests. 5/F, City Plaza, Taikoo Shing.

• 2009 Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ
• 2008Italia, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, IT
• 2009 MOJO Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills, AU
• 2008 MOJO Shiraz, Barossa, AU

Wu Kong Restaurant

A modern up market restaurant serving modern Shanghai style cuisine. You'll find our wines on special at the Times Square outlet on the 13/F

• 2009 Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ
• 2006 Chateau Bernadotte, Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc

Chilli Fagara

A Szechuan restaurant and oasis in Soho. Food that has so many delicate flavour combinations that will not disappoint. Nor will the heat if you can handle it! 51A Graham Street, Soho.

• 2009 Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ
• 2009 Summerhouse Dry Riesling (Limited Release), Marlborough, NZ

If you would like any more information or suggestions on where to enjoy our wines send us an email to marketing@saveurs.com.hk

Any Time - Any Where - HILDON

Summer time is the right time to enjoy HILDON natural mineral water when you are out and about enjoying the heat. Plus you know that it's good for you because it's high in Calcium (97mg/l) and very low in Sodium (7.7mg/l).

Here are some places you can stop and refresh at:

• Uncle Russ Coffee
• Clearwater Bay Golf Club
• Liberty Exchange
• Hullett House
• Yorkshire Pudding
• Harvey Nichols
• Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Hotel
• Saffron Bakery Cafe
• The Excelsior Hotel
• Langham Hotel
• Deck n Beers
• Simply Life Foodplace
• Simply Life Bread & Wine
• Simply Life Bakery Cafe
• The Phoenix
• Thai Basil Pacific Place
• Lucy's on the Front
• One Thirtyone
• Yellow Door Kitchen
• Chi Residences
• 1/5 Nuevo
• Castro's
• Ned Kelly
• Graze
• Soho Base Camp
• Gecko Lounge & Wine Bar
• St George
• Loong Toh Yuen
• Stables Grill
• The Parlour
• Culture Club
• The Fleming
• Wine & Pub

You can also get HILDON natural mineral water delivered to your door in 1l, 750ml, 500ml or 330ml bottles. You can choose from Delightfully Still or Gently Sparkling. 

Bottles are available in glass or PET plastic and sports cap.

For more information and prices contact Dean

Kaneda Opens in Wan Chai

On Tuesday, March 30th, The Kaneda Group held a star studded opening for their new Wan Chai outlet on Johnston Road. This is the 4th outlet for the group and I went along to have a look for myself.

Back in January Saveurs Assistant Sales Manager, Kiki Bhutia, came together with Kaneda Group General Manager, Frankie Leung, to design a Sake and Wine list that would be fitting of a exciting Wan Chai Japanese restaurant. Over the next couple of months they worked hard to fine tune an exciting menu that will compliment all the great Japanese food and the Crepe kitchen. When it was all complete our graphic artist designed the menu layout and it was ready to go.

When I arrived at the Fraser Suite Building I must admit feeling a bit like a rock star with all the people lining the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of the real stars. My name was on the door (phew) and so I made my way up the stair case that was adorned with flowers and well wishes. The entrance area is inviting with a  very attractive bar area and I grabbed a Champagne to keep me company as I walked through.

Again I disappointed the media that had gathered around the stage but I didn't let their moans stop me. The open Sushi kitchen on the left was in full action and it didn't take me long to find the food buffet. After a brief stop to enjoy the delightful selection I decided I should let some of the other guests have some as well (begrudgingly)  and I started my quest to find the Crepes kitchen I had heard about.

Stopping briefly at the bar to grab a Mojo Sauvignon Blanc I braved on through the crowd and found the  Crepes kitchen waiting along with private rooms and a second dining room. Taste test and exploration complete I made my way back to the bar where the endless parade of Hong Kong beauties had begun.

Director of the Kaneda Group, Mr Alan Ho, made me quite jealous as he made the official opening with his close friends Angela Baby, Rosemary and Lynn Xiong (see photos below). Within an hour all the festivities were over and the Models had all gone back to that wonderful place were all beautiful things come from and the rest of us mere mortals are forbidden to tread.

It was time for me to return to the office and get back to work. I departed via the buffet again and left thinking that I will definitely return again soon.

I am sure the Kaneda Group will have another successful venture and we wish them well.
I would also like to apologise to the poor person that took my photo as I left thinking I was someone important!

Dean.