Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape, but now it’s also the name of the newest wine shop in Saigon
While it seems appropriate to call a wine shop Shiraz Wine & Coffee Shop (20 Mac Thi Buoi, D1), however it was not named after the grape. According to the owners, Shiraz encompasses many meanings that they want to translate to their customers – love, creativity, success – all of which can be associated with the spirit behind Shiraz. Noticing a gap in District 1 where people can find a wide selection of wine at affordable prices, they decided to bridge the gap. The two aim to educate and promote wine among young Vietnamese who are now starting to become curious about wine and the culture.
Shiraz has over 550 different wines in stock, and their selection changes every month, giving guests an astonishing choice, with bottles starting at VND255,000 and even going up to several million dong; whatever price suits you, you will find it here. Apart from a great selection of wines from both Old and New World, Shiraz has a coffee area, a smoking area, and the upstairs area is available for private bookings and is free if guests buy the food and wine from the shop – making it ideal for birthday parties, wine tastings and company events.
For example, one of the premium wines you can enjoy at Shiraz is Cedula Real, a jewel coming directly from Rioja in Spain. The limited edition wine is made from a blend of 90 percent tempranilllo grapes with another 10 percent from local grapes that help give the complexity you will find in this fabulous wine. Being a Gran Reserva, the most premium Spanish wines, this wine spends a minimum of two years in the barrel and another three years in the bottle before it is released – this gives you an idea of the complexity and beauty of the wine.
Another of my favorites found here is Kaiken Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. A subtle beautiful wine made by iconic Montes winery, full of fruit while delivering good complexity – a pleasure to drink.
If you prefer white wines, give Mercedes Eguren Sauvignon Blanc a try. This inexpensive wine delivers a cocktail of tropical fruits in both the nose and palate with the right acidity, making it ideal as an aperitif or paired with oysters, prawns or white fish.
At Shiraz visitors can buy the wine to take home or drink on the premises (with a seven percent service charge), giving guests the opportunity to enjoy their tipple of choice served in professional Riedel glasses in a sophisticated atmosphere. What is more, good wine pairing is also available in the premises with wine-friendly food like imported cheese, cold meats and pâté.
Whether you come to Shiraz to buy a bottle of wine for a present, to enjoy it on the premises, or simply to learn more about wine, you will be spoilt for choice, in a warm professional atmosphere with great prices.
BIO: Alfredo de la Casa has been organizing wine tastings for over 20 years, published three wine books, including the Gourmand award winner for best wine education book. You can reach him at www.wineinvietnam.com.
Images By Ngoc Tran
