Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral
Grill 582 and The Wine Academy

Grill 582 and The Wine Academy

Words by Kirsten Durward
Pictures by the Yum List (Monica Tindall)
It seems these days that every week I’m being pressed to try new wines, a French importer there, an Italian tasting here. With more and more Malaysians developing a taste for wine, the growing market is attracting a lot of interest from all sectors. Grill 582  and The Wine Academy have had the excellent idea of a joint venture to capitalize on this, with the Wine Program, the first of its kind in Malaysia. 
Grill 582 is already established on the KL foodie scene as a destination for meat lovers and wine conossieurs, and now with over 130 offerings on the wine list, is sure to have more and more people knocking on the door for a glass or two. A chic venue with a slight industrial design edge, the simple clean lines and muted textures are brightened by splashes of red and upbeat jazz music. Managing to be both understated and bold at the same time, the main feature for me is the open kitchen as I adore to see food being cooked, and, honestly, in a grill restaurant, what could be better than the searing smell of meat tempting you to taste?
Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral
Grill 582
Tonight’s launch showcases the product in the creative form of a Wine Tree. This is something I truly wish I had in my home, for every branch offers a wine from a different region of the world. Ian Hurst, General Manager of the Dua Sentral, describes the concept of the Wine Programme as ‘an epicurean adventure.’
Connesseiurs and initiates alike are sure to have their palate pleased during the regular wine tasting events on offer. Wine appreciation classes, wine paired dinners, and straight up wine tasting sessions, all based around Grill 582’s extensive wine list, must surely make this one of the best places to drink wine in KL.
Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral
Grill 582 and The Wine Academy
We’re lucky enough to try a few bacchanalian temptations tonight, and I hope my humble descriptions will have you hotfooting downtown to sip a few samples for yourselves!
First tasting from Argentina is the Astica Torrontes Trapiche 2011. Argentina’s signature white grape, Torrontes produces an aromatic wine with notes of citrus and flowers. It tastes fresh and young, and would go ideally seafood and mild to spicy cuisine.
Chile is well represented here tonight, the first offering from this delightful country being the Hemisferio Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Emilio Torres. The wine offers intriguing notes of passion fruit and grapefruit. It has an intense flavour and a slightly acidic structure.  
Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral
Hemisferio Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Emilio Torres
An unusual wine from Spain is the Blanc de Pacs Pares Balta Penedes Organic Wine. This Spanish white is a blended wine, the same blend which normally composes a sparkling Cava. Dry, crisp and bright, this wine has hints and tints of apple, honeydew, and peach. We think it will complement a salad, paella or fish dish quite well.
Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral
Blanc de Pacs Pares Balta Penedes Organic Wine
I’ve been a fan of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for years so I’m happy to taste the Woven Stone New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2011, which scooped the top award for Best White Wine at the Korean Wine Challenge 2012. It’s a fruity, intense wine with grassy, gooseberry aromas, and a decent long finish. I imagine it tastes very well with Mediterranean flavours.
We are back to Chile with our first red, the Errazuriz Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 from the Aconcagua Valley. An attractive ruby-red in colour, the taste notes are predominantly plums, and blackberries with a light balsamic touch to add complexity. It would complement poultry and a lighter lamb dish.
Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral
Errazuriz Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
The Italian sample of Torresella Del Veneto Merlot 2011 proves to be a darker red with a good full body, slightly herbaceous to taste with hints of raspberry. I could try this with pasta or heartier meat dishes.
Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral
Torresella Del Veneto Merlot 2011
New Zealand features again with the Ohau River Pinot Noir 2009. This soft round wine is harvested from a Wairarapa vineyard in the North Island of New Zealand. It offers plum and raspberry flavours, a hint of spicy, smoky oak and a long finish. Serve with a just grilled steak for sure.  
Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral
 Ohau River Pinot Noir 2009
Our final taster is once again from Chile, the Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2012. A darker, purplish wine with subtle aromas of chocolate and spice, medium bodied with a slightly velvety texture. It would suit a meal of darker meats.  
Grill 582, Wine Program, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2012
We’ve sniffed, sipped, sampled to our hearts content, and are happily satisfied to slip away, knowing that there’s always the chance to return again for a visit to a Wine Program event.
Reasons to visit: gorgeous grill; great range of wines; improve your palate with tasting events!
Grill 582
Best Western Premier
8 Jalan Tun Sambanthan
50470 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
+6 03 2272 8888


View Larger Map

3 Comments

  1. The red napkins make the place look somewhat Chinese…

  2. I want the Chilean Merlot! it sounds exactly like the kind of wine I love best 😀

  3. This place reminded me a bit of Halia that you introduced us a while ago…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.