The entirety of this year is a celebratory homage to this lovely country and community that have supported us over the last 10 years. Wine Garage was founded with the distinct intention of shining a light on producers who so vibrantly represent the world of wine around them, and with each bottle allowing us to bring some of the best wines in the world right to your home and the many restaurants, bars, hotels in Thailand.
We have always viewed people, and the humbleness and the humanity with which they create, to be the most important element of the wines that we love. Whether it be young contemporary winemakers carving a new path in the world of viticulture, or the families that draw upon generations of legacy and tradition to preserve their land and history, we have time and time again found that these wines are the ones that resonate so deeply with our community of wine lovers. Through this element of human connection, we are not only able to enjoy the passionate fruits of these labors, but in turn help to highlight and empower these wines in the lush food & beverage scene we have developed here in Bangkok and beyond.
Great wines are made by great people, and we as a team have spent the past 10 years working to convey and accentuate these wines as a storied part of a rich culture of dining and drinking. Because of this, wine has always felt incredibly personal to us, thus we asked our team to share some of their favorite wines from our catalog in honor of our 10 year anniversary. Each staff member has chosen a duo of wines, with one (if not both) being a label that was originally imported by us since 2014 and has been a welcome member of our portfolio ever since. We hope that through these selections you learn a little more about some of our longest standing producers, as well as a bit more about the people here at Wine Garage, cheers!
Kim’s Picks: Mediterranean Varietals from Spain & France
Prior to leaving the Thai wine industry in 2013, Kim already hooked up with his wine buddy, Philippe Bramaz, to start one of the most talked about independent restaurants in Bangkok. Quince Eatery & Bar in Sukhumvit Soi 45 became known for offering new wines from Spain with flair. Among the favorites was Epistem No 3, which would be one of Wine Garage’s top sellers for many years to come. Since then we have supported Philippe and Sebastian’s decision to depart from the original style of Epistem No 3, and in turn have been enjoying the Monastrell reincarnation in the form of their cuvee ‘SP’. It is rare for a Mediterranean wine to offer such pure intensity while remaining lively; a best friend for many fiery Thai dishes, as well as pairing with anything smoked and charred.
Atlan & Artisan is the brainchild of Philippe Bramaz and Sebastian Keller, an artisanal winemaking project that sources fruit from organic and sustainable agriculture, channeling the rugged aspects of their terroir through the use of low-intervention winemaking. They produce wines from pristine vineyards throughout Yecla and Mallorca, Spain along with a Riesling project they have since started in the German Mosel. Their wines span a full range of approachable to complex with a distinctive focus on red varietals such as the grape Monastrell aka Mourvedre.
Our approach has always been to present wines for the dining table, and there is no finer Rosé made than that made from the ancient Tibouren; believed to be a very old grape variety, originally grown in Mesopotamia and propagated by the Greeks, before being transported by the Romans to Italy in the Liguria region, where it is known as Rossese. Grown in the Cru Classe designated areas of Provence, the estate manages to make age-worthy wines, that transcend the rosé category. We enjoy these with an array of Thai samrub-styled meals, or follow Haoma sommelier Vishi’s advice with Prawn Balchao, a Goan dish with Portuguese influences.
Clos Cibonne is a multi-generational family estate with over 200 years of history located near Toulon, Provence region of Southern France. This estate is located in the ancestral home of Rosé winemaking dating back to ancient times and works with varietals intrinsic to the region and it’s legacies. The grapes here are grown with organic and sustainable principles and the wines are crafted traditionally, allowing for deeply nuanced, complex, and enigmatic wines that get even better with time.
Neung’s Picks: Modern Masters from Australia & France
William Downie stands as a humble yet important figure of minimal intervention winemaking, particularly renowned for his site-specific Pinot Noir expressions across Australia. His journey into winemaking saw him honing his craft in Burgundy at esteemed domaines before returning to Australia. In 2003, he embarked on his own winemaking adventure, founding his eponymous label and sourcing Pinot from various regions including the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and Gippsland. Today, Downie focuses his attention on the lesser-known Gippsland region, where he tends to his farm with his wife Rachel alongside other plots throughout the area. Embracing a low-intervention approach in the cellar, William prioritizes the purity of his wines while allowing the unique terroir to shine through. With an unwavering commitment to showcasing the character of his land, Downie’s Pinot Noirs captivate with their finesse and depth of flavor, offering a glimpse into the rich narratives of Australia’s ancient soils. The Cathedral cuvee is a multi-vineyard assemblage of older vine Pinot Noir, perfect as a gateway into the world of William’s wines as well as pairing with rich and savory flavors of roasted lamb, chorizo stew, grilled leeks, and sour tamarind.
Stéphane Riffault, the son of founding winemaker Claude Riffault in France’s Loire Valley, is making waves with his exceptional Sancerre bottlings. With vineyards that represent a mere fraction of the appellation, Riffault has earned acclaim as one of the most exciting estates in Sancerre. Embracing organic and biodynamic practices, Riffault meticulously tends to 13.5 hectares of vines spread across 33 parcels in 8 different lieu-dits. With a Burgundian influence derived from his studies and work alongside Olivier Leflaive, Riffault’s wines showcase a mastery of minerality, balanced seamlessly with subtle influences of oak. Each parcel is vinified separately, allowing for precise, site-expressive bottlings that captivate with their crispness, high-cut acidity, and jeweled delineation. The Boucauds cuvee focuses on a special planting subsumed by rich deposits of clay marl and limestone, it’s savory and mineral driven finesse making a perfect pairing for grilled seafood, fresh and piquant flavors of Thai herbs, and bright citrus.
Kai’s Picks: Approach the New from Portugal & Spain
Kai’s choices revolve around a selection of cuvées whose coastal surroundings and vibrant agriculture directly enhance the easy drinking nature of these white wines. In fact, this is the very reason that Kai was drawn to both Anselmo Mendes Muros Antigos, a bright and approachable Vinho Verde, and Celler Tuets Tot Blanc, a hazy and quaffable natural wine from the Catalunya coastline. These straightforward, friendly, and engaging wines are a fantastic way to discover new varietals in bright and elegant stylings that will always impress a crowd, from the uninitiated to the experts.
Anselmo Mendes happens to be a seriously innovative winemaker, elevating a region of Portugal often known solely for wines of quantity rather than quality. Mendes’ wines excel from traditional techniques applied to modern methodologies and an overarching philosophy of remaining in tune with the nature that they reside amongst. Muros Antigos is made from a blend of three local grapes, Alvarinho, Avesso and Loureiro all a key part in the production of Vinho Verde, and would play just as well as an apero as it would alongside freshly shucked oysters or a spicy, tangy som tam.
The Tot Blanc was the first cuvee to join our books from humble, low-intervention winemaker Albert Domingo of Celler Tuets in Catalan country. This family founded estate and sprawling farmstead includes vines, animals, fruits, and over seventy hectares planted to protected old growth forests. Albert’s wines are the definition of purity, creating mystifying cuvees from solely grapes that resonate with high-frequency, high-acid lashings of sharp, mineral flavors. Each of his wines bears Albert’s signature mark of vivid expression, the Tuets Blanc shining with subtly skin contacted Chenin and Grenache Blanc that pairs with the bold and spicy flavors of Isaan Thai food.
Benz’s Picks: Cult Classics from Australia & Spain
Patrick Sullivan, a trailblazing producer hailing from Victoria, Australia, challenges convention with his dynamic approach to winemaking. Sullivan’s philosophy centers on an unwavering commitment to the vineyard itself; collaborating closely with renowned (and aforementioned) winemaker William Downie, Sullivan harnesses the bountiful resources of his land near the Strezleki ranges, with soils characterized by basalt, sandstone, and volcanic soils. His wines range from precise, lithe, single-site chardonnays to expressive blends that epitomize the diverse terroir of his stunning surroundings.
Benz states that the first low intervention wine that he had ever tasted was from Patrick Sullivan and the style of winemaking was very different from anything he had experienced before. The wine tastes magnificent and unique. Chardonnay Baw Baw Shire 2020 is crisp and pure with a citrusy backbone, notes of honey, toast and the slightest hint of salty oxidation. In fact, Patrick Sullivan is one of Benz’s all time favorite producers.
PSI, a celebrated cuvée crafted by the esteemed winemaker Peter Sisseck of Pingus fame and renown, embodies a profound commitment to aiding local grape growers in their quest to preserve ancient Tempranillo vines. Founded in 2006 with its first vintage released in 2007, PSI is a one of a kind project aimed at sustaining traditional viticulture while championing biodynamic and organic vineyard practices. Benz notes that it carries with it a deep velvet hue and vibrant aromatics of red fruits, cranberry, and plum; it unfolds with layers of well-concentrated fruit, delicate floral tones, and hints of toasted spice, pairing incredibly well with a high quality piece of grilled Rubia Gallega or Wagyu beef.
Nora’s Picks: Rolling Hill Reds from France & Italy
Herve Souhaut is situated in the sweet spot right between the south end of Burgundy’s Beaujolais region and the northern hills of the Rhone Valley. His wines are a clearly defined demonstration of his ability to translate the terroir of the Ardeche and St Joseph through the lens of white and red wines. La Souteronne is an incredibly special wine, made from whole clusters of organic and biodynamic grapes grown in century old vineyards on rustic, granite rich soils. The result?
Nora states “I have always loved Gamay for its history and characters. Hervé makes wines with such delicacy and purity and La Souteronne is one of the bottles that has stayed on my mind. This goes well with many meat-based dishes, I personally enjoy pairing it with charcuterie.”
Before the discussion of biodynamics entered the lexicon of the average wine drinker (natural or otherwise), the certified estate of Hilberg Pasquero in the Piemonte hills sought to make wines resonating these philosophies that can be found on the pages of our very first portfolio.
Nora quips “Actually I started drinking and working with wines exactly 10 years ago in 2014 and I remember it was intimidating, yet very exciting at the same time. Nebbiolo was one of the Italian grape varietals that I had the opportunity to taste and I have always remembered it since. Now looking back at the early years, Hilberg Pasquero would definitely be one of my favorite Italian winemakers if I came across this bottle then.”
Ottara’s Picks: New World Whites from Oregon & New Zealand
Kelley Fox’s wines hold a special place in our hearts, and for Ottara who’s been working with her wines since 2016 (in a previous life working for an importer in Seattle), these sublime bottlings of white and red Oregonian oenological treasures set a welcome precedent for the potential of American winemaking both at home and abroad. Traditionally known for her ethereal single vineyard selections of Pinot Noir, this Freedom Hill Blanc was her first foray into white winemaking, with her signature style of finesse resonating deeply in this lithe, expressive wine. Soft and elegantly perfumed with oceanic tones of mineral and saline set across ripe orchard fruits, this is a phenomenal wine to pair with fresh uni, yakitori with a smokey tare, or a perfectly grilled piece of akami tuna.
For us, wine is so often intertwined with the food (and snacks) that grace our daily and celebratory tables, and for Ottara, a selection of acid-driven whites with sapid saline and umami flavors almost always does the trick for the cuisine we often spend our time enjoying. From New Zealand, the multi-generational masters of Chardonnay at Kumeu River have made quite the name for themselves as winemakers and standard bearers for this white varietal throughout the world. The grapes are harvested by hand sourced from six vineyards within the estate, showcasing the variety of their Pacific terroir set upon foundations of classic winemaking through extended barrel aging. These are age-worthy wines, the Estate cuvee pairing decisively well with the tingling, chili-driven dishes of Sichuan as well as earthy, savory curries from South and Southeast Asia.
Should you have further questions, inquiries, or comments please feel free to reach us at marketing@winegarage.asia and to place an order for any of these wines or to explore our entire portfolio, please send an email to order@winegarage.asia