Kim Wachtveitl is a consultant and wine curator for Wine Garage Co. Ltd.
NEW ZEALAND Pinot Gris, South Island
Pinot Grigio can be boring, and Alsace wines seem to be going nowhere with Thais, but how about the same grape from New Zealand? It’s less oily than Alsatian renditions, but retains the fresh and aromatic quality with good fruitiness. We all love pungent Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc, so why not give this number two grape a chance? Drink years 2013 and 2012.
Where to get them: Mud House (B949) at
www.siamwinery.com or 02-533-5600. Wairau River and Burnt Spur (from B1,500) at Wine Gallery (5/F, Emporium).
SPAIN Albariño from Rias Baixas
Grown on the wind-and-rain swept coast of Northwestern Spain, the Albarino varitetal is unique to this region and brings forth lovely wines with notes of peach and apricot that are a match made in heaven with all kinds of seafood and shellfish. Drink 2012 and well stored 2011.
Where to get them: Santiago Ruiz (B1,490) at
www.vmwine.net and Pazo de Barrantes (B1,500) at The California Wine (02-682-3838).
GERMANY Riesling, various regions
Europeans and Americans have long raved about this grape, yet in Asia its reputation has been slow to mature. Aromatic, refreshing, and sometimes dry, you can now find many great bottles from B800 to 1,300 in Thailand. Whether you like it lean, medium-weight or fuller, Riesling delivers. For dry wines, the lighter styles should be consumed within 2-3 years, while Grand Cru keeps up to 7-8 years.
Where to get them: Van Volxem, Diel, Dönnhoff, Leitz, Dreissigacker (from B900) at
www.itsriesling.com.
AUSTRIA Grüner Veltliner, various regions
The ubiquitous Grüvee, as some like to call it, can be a light-footed dancer or a grande dame, depending on the winemaker’s fantasy, but it remains a high-class act in all cases. The lighter styles are ideal for our hot climate and cleanse the palate with lovely pear, honey, and apple notes. Fuller styles can last a decade or more, the lighter ones 2-4 years for the most part.
ARGENTINA Torrontes from Salta
From vineyards high up in the Cafayete (we are talking over 1,000 meters above sea level) comes Argentina’s secret weapon to conquer spicy Thai food, the Torrontes grapes. Perfect pairings aside, this wine has lovely lychee, mint, and floral notes framed by a refreshing acidity. Drink the 2013 vintages, maybe 2012.
