Wines Event

1^st BYO Wines Event

Had the first BYO wines event at Aria Italian Dining Damansara Heights.

 

Guess what we had for the night?

Dusky Sounds Sauvignon Blanc 2009 – a surprise drink, citrus aromas, sweet & fruity taste 

Lancaster Chenin Blanc – silky smooth & soft, by MoonDaze gallery

Dr.L Riesling 2010 – a happy & fun drink

Beronia Rioja Crianza 2008 - baking spice meld with bright cherry and a hint of fresh fennel. 

Poggio Al Ginepri 2009 – ripe tannins, herbal & mineral finish

Oliver's Taranga Fortified Grenache (95points) – dessert wine, by MoonDaze gallery

Special thanks to KH & Alex for giving me such a great advice and ideas.









For Sale - Red Wine Liqueur Vinegar - Pre-order

Pukara Estate Red Wine Vinegar - A Sweet Tangy

Pukara Estate’s Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Vinegars are among Australia’s best, winning over 50 awards in shows nationally, including the prestigious Australian Olive Association National Show.

The Estate produces distinctive, sophisticated and flavorsome Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Vinegars of the highest quality.

Wine vinegar is an acetic liquid made from wine that has been secondarily fermented and aged over time. Nearly all wines are themselves fermented with yeast during their production. Vinegar goes a step farther by focusing fermentation on the wine’s alcohol. This secondary fermentation typically happens with the help of acetic acid bacteria. The final product is frequently used in cooking, often as a salad dressing or flavoring agent to a number of different meat and pasta dishes.

Price: AUD34**nett

**Without: shipping & delivery, tax & service charge

For enquiries and orders please email to moondazegallery@gmail.com

About MoonDaze gallery

“MoonDaze gallery” was founded by an ex-investment banker call Moon. Why call it a “gallery”? Simple reason as she has many interests and likes. She likes wine, hard liquor, coffee, dessert, good food and good friends.  The bling and the dazzling. She needs a gallery for all her likes.

During her tenure as an I-banker, she was well blesses with good foods, drinks, places and friends. She learned about having a good taste and the best in every aspects of life from her bosses, colleagues, sifu, famous, and clients. The nerdy village girl is now a fussy and demanding woman.

From an I-banker to a purveyor of fine goods, she hopes to bring the best to people. She hopes to meet people who have the same passion and appreciate fine things in life. As she said “being classy is NOT about being stuck up, but more so about having a simply unique style that will never be forgotten. To be classy is to have respect; respect for others, respect for elders and most of all respect for you.” What say you?

Moon the women – simply LOVES the combination of fine goods, arts and stock markets….. Such a happy, happening and vibrant combo!

Dazzling food, dazzling drink & dazzling life

The sour, the spicy, the hot, the Thai food together with a bottle of Shiraz; ended with a fortified Grenache

….I like the umph!

Took a walk and grabbed an ice-cream….

Australia Sparkling

Australia Sparkling

Australia sparkling wine has a long and distinguished history - including the creation of Sparkling Shiraz. 

You sometime heard that Australian sparkling is trying too hard to be like Champagne, that’s all positive, I think. When people say a sparkling wine is too Champagne – like, I think it means it’s an elegant, complex, aged sparkling wine. 

Sparkling wine it is a style best drunk young and chilled. Australian sparkling wine is well worth experimenting with at the table as it is a good accompaniment to a wide range of dishes, hot and cold dishes.

Champagne vs Aussie Sparkling – what’s the deal?

Champagne vs Aussie Sparkling – what’s the deal?

When you’re itching for a hangover, so you know bubbly booze is the way to go. Champagne or sparkling wine?

Actually, in a sense, champagne is no different from sparkling wine. All champagnes are sparkling wines but not all sparkling wines are champagnes.

So when you want to celebrate any occasion with champagne but your purse isn't up to the mark to buy the genuine stuff at the exorbitant price, you can try one of these not-so-pricey and great quality sparkling wines instead of indulging in fake champagne at cheaper price. In some countries like USA, you can't even distinguish between genuine champagne and a bogus one, because these countries didn't sign the treaty that protects that name. Anyone here can label their cheap booze as 'champagne' and sell it legally.

So don't let yourself be duped – don't buy champagne unless you have substantially fat pockets and you can go for the real stuff. Try a sparkling wine instead, and your celebration will be as spectacular as ever!

For Sale -ONE OF THE MOST EXQUISITE AND EXPENSIVE BLENDS - Pre-order

Scotch whisky is divided into 5 distinct categories: single malt, single grain, blended malt ("vatted malt" or "pure malt"), blended grain, and blended.

Blended Scotch whisky means a blend of one or more single malt with one or more single grain whisky.

They were initially created as an alternative to single malt whiskies, which some considered too harsh.

BALLANTINE’S 30 YEAR OLD RANKS AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST EXQUISITE AND EXPENSIVE BLENDS.

Regarded as the ultimate super premium whisky and the pinnacle of the Ballantine's range.

With a deep gold colour, subtle sweet flavour on the nose and a complex palate of honey and vanilla, 

Ballantine’s 30 year old is an exceptional, rare and exclusive whisky.

700ml ea

Price: AUD600**net

**without - shipping&delivery, tax&service charge
 

Product enquiries please email to moondazegallery@gmail.com 

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR FOR CHOCOLATE, CHEESE AND WINES

As the calendar turns to November, the late autumn and early winter holidays aren't far behind. All the celebrations open doors to savory foods, sweets and good times with family and friends. 

“Gourmet chocolate, aged cheese, and fine Wine” all 3 are always present at holiday parties and dinners, so why not combine them into one dessert that will be sure to continue the conversation late into the night? 

Not only is this dessert idea unique and different, it’s foolproof and takes the stress away from spending hours in the kitchen trying to whip up a festive masterpiece. Most cheeses and red wines are best served at room temperature, so this platter can be made well ahead of time, before guests even arrive.

It can be overwhelming to try and perfectly pair each cheese with each chocolate and each wine; there are no right answers the key is to keep everything simple; not only for the host’s own sanity, but also to not overwhelm guests.

For Sale - Founder Reserve Liqueur Port - Pre-Order

Sandalford Founders Reserve Liqueur Port

Dark chocolate with hints of tawny and garnet in color. The nose displays classic rancio* with rich old dark fruitcake notes all wrapped up in a glove of cedar and mahogany.

Traditional liqueur style with sweetness on the palate without being too cloying or unctuous. Dark briary fruits and spice are the main ingredients but there are also some lighter leathery nuances. The finish is clean and somewhat dry as it should be.

Traditionally, it was served alongside cigars as part of an after-dinner ritual, but it can easily be used as to pair with other foods/desserts. Good enough without any food.

*Rancio - French and Spanish term for a fortified wine that has been madeirized, often by storage in oak barrels for at least two years often exposed to direct sunlight. Rancio wines are often found in the Roussillon region of France and in various Spanish regions.

Price: AUD47**net

**without - shipping&delivery, tax&service charge

For product enquiries please email to moondazegallery@gmail.com 

For Sale - 20years Fortified Grenache - Pre-order

Oliver's Taranga The Banished Fortified Grenache

The Banished Fortified Grenache, aged 20 years was crafted in the beautiful McLaren Vale by Oliver's Taranga.  

Caramel in color, the pungent in aroma creamy vanilla, caramel, stewed fruits, brandy soaked apricots and sweet alcohol.

This is a powerful fortified Grenache; the sweet fruit is balanced by a fresh acidity.

This fortified is extremely viscous, and the brandy soaked dried apricot character follows through on the palate. The Banished warms you up from the inside!

Price: AUD62**net

**without - shipping&delivery, tax&service charge

For product enquiries please email to moondazegallery@gmail.com 

For Sale - Gold 18YO Rum - Pre-order

Flor de Cana Centenario Gold 18 Year Old

The beginning of the sugarcane harvest in Chichigalpa and the dry season coincide in early November, after the tropical rainy season ends. The rich aroma of molasses permeates the facilities, signaling the start of a new cycle in the production of Flor de Caña.

The rum is rich and dark with red highlights in the glass. The immediate nose is full of oak and baking spices, some zesty orange peel, vanilla, and dry fruit. As the rum breathes, you will sense glimmers of toasted hazelnut and pecans wafting into the air. The oak builds bringing even more spice into the breezes above the glass.

The taste is noble, with a distinct dryness and favors of light chocolate, caramel, charred oak and a delicate but deeply delicious earthiness. The finish is dry, with hints of maple, and a bit of smokiness in the throat.

Smoother, more refined, the older rum's flavors are softer but more complex, refined, distinct, and pure. One of the older rums available in the US, and worth looking for. Slow aging in oak barrels brings out the best in this rum made from pure sugar cane juice from sniffing to sipping to finish; each stage exhibits different facets of a fine rum aged 18 years. This is one of the beautiful old rum, easy and rewarding to sip neat.

Raw Materials: Cane molasses, rich in sugar, is the raw material used in the production of Flor de Caña rums. It is first stored in large tanks and then pumped directly to the fermentation tanks.

Fermentation: As part of the fermentation process, yeast converts the sugar in the molasses into two products: alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Distillation: After the fermentation process is complete, the fermented "wash" is ready for distillation. They use a highly energy efficient, multiple-effect five column distillation unit. This allows them to simultaneously manufacture different types of top-grade alcohol.

Aging: This rum is aged in small white oak barrels under natural climatic conditions. The barrels are used only once prior to aging which contribute to the unique flavor and aroma of Flor de Caña rums.

Price: AUD174**net

**without - shipping&delivery, tax&service charge

For product enquiries please email to moondazegallery@gmail.com

For Sale - Lancaster Chenin Blanc - Pre-order

For Sale – Lancaster Chenin Blanc – Pre Order

Chenin Blanc is a versatile white wine grape variety known for its high acidity and aging potential. Most commonly associated with the Loire Valley, France which has been cultivated for nearly 1300 years.

It provides a fairly neutral palate for the expression of terroir, vintage variation and the winemaker's treatment. In cool areas the juice is sweet but high in acid with a full-bodied fruity pa

late.

Wine expert Jancis Robinson has noted that Chenin blanc is probably the world's most versatile grape, being able to produce quality wines of various sweetness, including dessert wines noted for their aging ability, as well as sparkling made according to the méthode champenoise and fortified wines. 

In Australia, the country's Chenin blanc is mostly grown as a blending variety often used with Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, and Semillon. 

Wine expert James Halliday describes the style of Australia Chenin blanc as "tutti-frutti" with pronounced fruit salad notes. However, the wines produced in Western Australia have garnered more critical attention.

Price: AUD23**net

**without - shipping&delivery, tax&service charge

For product enquiries please email to moondazegallery@gmail.com

For Sale - Gold Medal Mango Wine - Pre-order

For Sale – Gold Medal Mango Wine – Pre Order

When people talk about tropical fruits wine they are likely to assume that this means they are sweet and sticky. While you are wondering how it is possible to make dry wines from sweet fruits like mango, forgetting that grapes are the sweetest of all fruits!

This little gem is well known in the region for their award winning tropical fruit wines. The winery does not use blends but concentrates on single fruit wines and ports which are refreshing rather than sickly sweet.

The flavor of the fruit isn't lost in the fermenting process. So, chances are, if you like the fruit you will like the wine and this added dimension makes Mango Wines an ideal companion for foods.

The fruit is grown in the organic way in the orchard and no chemicals are used on the fruit trees. This hidden gem grows the fruit, makes the wine, bottles and labels the wines all in the farm.

Price: AUD31**net

**without - shipping&delivery, tax&service charge

For product enquiries please email to moondazegallery@gmail.com

Pairing Wine with Asian Food

Pairing wine with Asian food

It always amazes me when people matching wine with Asian cuisines. In Asian food settings, wine is not a natural or traditional match, but it is not an impossible one. What it takes is a little more imagination.

It is a question of harmony and balance within the context of hot, sour, salty and sweet food sensations. In short contrasting testes in wine and food matching is another approach that can be used with Asian cuisines.

You may find lots of different rules on wine-food pairing, however you don’t have to be so hung up about the perfect encounter or the perfect pairing, because like with any thing in life, perfection is an illusion.