Sheraton Imperial kl

Villa Danieli, Wine “Dating” Journey, Sheraton Imperial KL

Kristin Cosgrove andย Monica Tindall
Youโ€™ve heard of blind dating, computer dating and speed dating, but what about wine dating? Wine Dating, a new wine tasting event at Villa Danieli, is all about getting together with friends to try new wines. Itโ€™s the perfect (proverbial) one-night stand for those looking to learn more about wine and who knows โ€“ you might even find a new true love for your taste buds!
wine dating, kl
Villa Danieli, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Taking place on the last Thursday of each month through December, Wine Dating is a more social affair than the traditional wine pairing dinners. It encourages mingling and features four tasting stations, each with a selection of premium wines and elegant appetizers prepared by the Sheratonโ€™s fine culinary team.ย  Adding another twist, Villa Danieliโ€™s Wine Dating features a sommelier who socializes with the guests, introduces the wines and gives a short mini-lesson at each station.
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Wines To Be Tasted
The Wine Dating menu changes each month, enticing participants to return for a new โ€œwine loverโ€™s journey.โ€
Three Yum Listers, Monica, Caning and I, were among the approximately 30 folks gathered for the launch of Wine Dating on August 27.ย  Each session is capped at 30 pax to keep the event intimate and this proved a good number – enough to feel convivial, but not too cramped.
Located at the pool level of the Sheraton Imperial, the freestanding trattoriaโ€™s entrance is accessed via a walkway lined with beautiful twisted wrought iron.ย  Upon entering we are instantly transported to a grand villa in Italy.ย  The interior is beautifully designed with stone columns, arched ceilings, cobbled brick floor, and tastefully painted murals.ย  Flickering flames from inside the wood-fired oven catch my eye from across the room.
We are greeted warmly by a waiter with a tray of Aperol Spritzers, a zesty aperitif made with Prosecco, Aperol and seltzer.ย  This flirty orange concoction is a refreshing antidote to the eveningโ€™s humidity and the tensions of the day โ€“ a great starter cocktail to liven any mood.
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Aperol Spritzer
We happily sip and mingle, chatting with David Stephan from the popular wine delivery service, Wine Talk Malaysia. Heโ€™s our friendly โ€œsommelier-in-residenceโ€ for the eveningโ€™s session.
Wines featured this evening are from the south of France, Gรฉrard Bertrandโ€™s Rรฉserve Spรฉciale, as well as Warreโ€™s Warrior Port, the oldest brand of port in the world.
As our group gathers at the first station, โ€œCold Canapรฉsโ€, we are treated to two different glasses of wine, Gรฉrard Bertrand Rรฉserve Spรฉciale Viogner and Pinot Noir. Clipped to each glass is a small note card about the wine, perfect for slipping into my purse for later reference.ย David introduces each wine, following an explanation of by the chef of the beautiful canapรฉs awaiting us: duck breast smoked under a glass dome with chancaca glazed apple and orange fruit, bacon-wrapped chicken terrine topped with avocado, and chicken liver pate with sable and organic cinnamon orange jam.
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Appetisers
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Chef Unveiling the Smoked Duck
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Pinot Noir
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Voigner
Happily loosened up and now in full tasting mode, we enthusiastically arrive at our next station, โ€œFlying Liquidโ€.ย  Small shooters of vegetable gazpacho are passed around, paired with Gรฉrard Bertrand Chardonnay.ย  David explains that the Chardonnay is good for tomato based Italian fare as it is not as crisp as the first white, the Voigner, but dry enough to handle the acidity of the tomatoes. Cups of hot chickpea soup with olive tapenade and a drizzle of sour cream come next, creamy and soothing, pairing well with another glass of the Voigner, which has quickly become my new favorite wine.
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Soups
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Chardonnay
The main-course station, โ€œMake it Hotโ€ is impressively laid out featuring a pan- seared US scallop and truffle hollandaise on brioche.ย Three wines are featured at this station: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot.ย Cuban Lamb and potato vol au vent was also a favorite, the sweet and spicy lamb tucked into a tiny puff pastry basket.ย  The sweet-smokiness of the lamb was enhanced by merlot, its fruitiness caressing the palate with a lingering finish.
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Mains
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Merlot
Finished with the main course and now surrounded by a cloud of cheery cacophony, we meander over to a comfortable booth in the main dining area where we are relieved to rest our feet.ย  A three-tiered dessert tray arrives comprised of bite-sized desserts, including caramelized plantain with sweet cream cheese and pecan crumble. But my immediate favorite are the chocolate truffles rolled in pistachios, which are completely divine next to the final pour of Warreโ€™s Warrior Port. This is it – my true love realized at last!
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Dessert
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Port
Wine Dating sessions are priced at RM220 (nett) per person, a good value considering the liberal amount of wine poured and the quality of the appetizers.ย  That being said, I did find my wine-to-food ratio a bit wine heavy. This is not to complain by any means, but only to say that I could have used a little more food to absorb my top-ups of alcohol.
On the plus side, this gave the perfect excuse to explore the regular Villa Danieli menu a bit and we opted to share a thin-crust pizza from the welcoming wood-fired oven. It was a wise choice, to be sure, and a definite reason to visit Villa Danieli even when Wine Dating isnโ€™t in session!
Villa Danieli, Wine "Dating" Journey, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Wood-Fired Oven – something to return for
Reasons to visit: A new wine tasting experience with a social twist, complete with expert advice in a beautiful, authentically Italian atmosphere.
Wine Dating takes place on the last Thursday of the month through December from 7pm-10pm.ย  Cost is RM220 (nett) and reservations are strongly recommended due to limited space.
Villa Danieli
5thย Floor
Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Kuala Lumpur, 50250
Malaysia
+6 03 2717 9900

18 Comments

  1. Hello, as always the food and wine looks delicious. Your food photos are just amazing. Great post and images. Have a happy weekend!

  2. "SPEED DATING" – as silly dear Pauline H. would say – "Please Explain"???

    This wine tasting in the Sheraton KL – I never realised that wine was so popular in
    the Asian countries. Must be a new thing since my last visits??
    There was always plenty of top quality wines from around the World available
    for drinking at the top hotels for the guests, but in smaller local bars, I never spotted
    any wine being served at all. Beer and spirits only.
    The Sheraton chain and I have a "love/hate" relationship. In freezing Montreal I sent clothes
    to be washed and ironed at their Sheraton and back they came in midget size and they point
    blank refused to compensate. One very expensive and once worn only white woollen polo necked
    shirt came back a strange grey colour and just might have fitted a baby!!!
    I quick smart made hasty arrangements to get the hell out of Montreal and that was the last
    Sheraton I stayed at until the Royal Orchid Sheraton in Bangkok – which was excellent in every
    respect. The Sofitel here in Brisbane was built by the Sheraton chain and now is Accor.

    The wine labels all seem to have "Produce of France", but where is the Port from – the "Warre's Warrior"?
    Port is another drink that doesn't agree with me. Try not to guess the reason!!! ha ha.

    Perfect day here after a full day of well needed rain yesterday.
    El Colin Cordobes, the middle one with a smaller mouth when it comes to burgers!!!!!

    • We were just discussing last night how tastes have changed in the 20 years since I first lived in Asia. Way back, it seemed Cognac was the drink of choice, it then moved to whisky and now wine is picking up. There's a movie/ documentary called Red Obsession that talks about how the Chinese market have gone nuts over French red wine and in turn pushed the prices to extremes.
      Ha ha.. Port from Portugal – I won't ask the story. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Mum and dad enjoy a Port after dinner – that's where I got started liking the stuff – just in small portions though, something a little sweet before bed.

  3. Love the entrance. Smoked duck? Oooo…count me in!

  4. I've only heard an amazing story about a Malaysian girl who went to a gin event and within one year she got married and is now living happily in Belgium. So,ย  for all the wine lovers and singles out there have a great time and keep us posted if you find a soul mate ;-))))

    • Love can be found in the oddest of places – I guess though it's more likely if you have similar passions – gin… wine – it's a good start. ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Need to go in a pair? I'm single :'(

    • No! You're dating the wine, not a person. Getting to know different wines in each different station – kind of a like speed dating but with wine instead.

  6. I love the green doors and overhead awning, as well as the window panels. Green is my favourite colour, it reminds me of nature, which I love, and I find it warm and tranquil. ๐Ÿ™‚ The appetizers and other delights look very good. ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. He he… You're very, very naughty! I won't tell a soul. Ha!

  8. You find the most fascinating places, for sure. My hubby would be wanting that port with some dark chocolate.

  9. Wine dating an interesting way to get people together to sample wine…

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