The wine is the main course and everything else is just garnish …
Since our last publication, the expansion and refurbishment of JJ Retails wine bar has been completed. The new extension of the company building, JJ Wines & Tapas, consists of a stylish dining bar for more seating and three comfortably furnished private rooms for socials.
The newly refurbished JJ Wine & Tapas with its modern baroque aesthetic deco portrays an elegant yet sophisticated ambience which is enhanced by a tint of European flair. The bar has a kitchen and serves bistro tapas style dishes created by Chef Revelino who has gained his culinary experience in Australia. The dishes have been designed to complement the wine selection while also cater to customers who prefer to have food with their wine.
The private rooms are comfortably furnished with sofas and equipped with modern furnishing. Two of the rooms accommodate up to five people with the other big size room provides for up to ten. These quiet and cozy spaces are designed for privacy with a warm, pleasant and homely atmosphere in which wine-loving consumers can relax while sipping their wine.
In the corner of the bar stands the WineEmotion Otto, an automated advanced wine dispensing system -- the one and only such automated wine dispenser that can be found among wine bars in the whole of Malaysia to date. Utilizing two temperature-controlled chambers and engineered to handle the rigorous commercial setting, its flexible customisation options allow for the placement of eight wines within the machine and the programming of desired serving portions to suit the requirements of the owner’s operation. This dispenser is also a preservation system in that once opened, each bottle of wine can be preserved for at least 30 days without the concern for aromatic cross-contamination or the risk of spoilage.
With the installation of the wine dispenser, JJ guests can now sample the wine by the glass before buying them thus expanding their range of wine, especially premium wine, tasting experience. The customer who visits alone can also enjoy an enhanced selection of premium wines without having to commit to a 750ml bottle.
Despite its new opening, many exciting wine happenings have taken place and more events are lining up to quench the wine thirst of novices and experts alike. In mid January, the intermediate level wine appreciation class featuring wines from Germany, the ancestral home of Riesling, kick started wine enthusiasts’ exploration of German wines and left the participants with a new, insightful appreciation for Riesling.
The same month saw yet another exclusive and special event in which wine lovers were not only given the rare opportunity to participate in the master level wine appreciation class conducted by Mr Stefano Gandolini, the dedicated wine entrepreneur-cum-winemaker from Chile, but also enjoyed a wine dinner with the master himself sampling some of the highly commended and limited production wines from the Gandolini , Ventolera and Von Siebenthal vineyards of South America.
The Man behind the Wine
Ryan Cheng
... A lucky man who picked up the sommelier badge from the street and turned into one overnight …
JJ’s operational team is directed by none other than Ryan Cheng, the Consultant and Chief Sommelier while the wine bar is led by Jessica Chong, Training and Operations Manager. In this issue, we shall meet the man behind the wine and the lady behind the bar will be featured in the publications that followed.
Graduated from The Swiss Hotel Management School with a Higher Diploma in Hospitality Studies, Ryan’s wine journey began when he undertook managerial positions with leading wine merchants in Singapore invigorating his palate with wines of both famous names and lesser-known growth. His expertise in wine sourcing and connections with wineries were established as he took on the purchasing and sales responsibilities in the wine retailing sector.
During each stage of his career, Ryan’s knowledge of wine grew along with his passion but it was not until his employment as Sales Manager at Bistro Amigo in Singapore that he learned of the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Certification programme. Encouraged by the Master Sommelier, Mr Darius Allyn whom he met through wine events they co-organised, Ryan decided to pursue the Master Sommelier accreditation and earned the Certified Sommelier title in 2010.
Following his accreditation, Ryan began consulting for The Singapore Institution of Management (SIM) and later, co-founded Gastrolution (M) Sdn Bhd which provides F&B consultation and wine education services to inculcate wine culture through knowledge and education. In 2014, he joined JJ Retails as Consultant and Chief Sommelier with the responsibility of sourcing and importing quality wines along with providing training and leadership to the wine department.
Ryan’s well-established connections with wine wholesalers and wine makers alike has enabled him to source wines from a wealth of importers and origins, from premium wines to high quality everyday wine with competitive prices. For instance, his recent importation showcases a range of French wines from the Rhône valley region by Domaine du Pegau’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Chateau Pegau’s Cotes du Rhone which comprises the sheer perfection (with a score of 100!) Cuvée Da Capo Rouge top-end pick as well as the Gigondas Laurence Feraud, a high quality wine affordable to ordinary consumers and, in between, there are the Domaine du Pegau’s Cuvee Laurence and Cuvee Reservee selections that cater to the more experienced wine drinkers.
Besides wine scouring, Ryan (and Jessica) also conducts wine appreciation classes and workshops for the public. If you can interested in wine and wine tasting, you can check out the Facebook pages of “JJ Retails” and “Gastrolution Wine & Coffee Specialist” for more information and upcoming activities.
High Quality … Affordable Wines
Vouch Johor V13 Exclusive Edition Feb and Mar 2015
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