Are There Misconceptions of Wine in Malaysia?

Last updated: 20 February 2023

[5 benefits of drinking wine & choosing the right one to pair your delicacies with.]

Finding wine online in Malaysia is no longer a difficult task. Easy access to this alcohol may even encourage an overall higher drinking rate. Red or white, wine is an alcohol derived from fermented fruit, and fermented food is generally known to be beneficial for our gut microbiome. Many people believe that wine is actually healthy, which is why regular wine drinking is treated more lightly than other alcohols.

But how viable may that be?

Join Mr. Chow as we take you through the pros and cons of drinking wine, best wines you can opt for, and the tastiest wine + food combinations to try.

The Depth of Wine

Wine is essentially grape juice fermented with yeast. But beyond its red and purple hue lies a world of history and nutrition to be explored.

Did you know wine grapes and the table grapes your mother rinses and puts in a bowl for you are different? 

Wine grapes are smaller, sweeter, and have many more seeds. The juice of these grapes is then cham with yeast, which converts the natural sugars into wine.

Beyond fermentation, other factors such as climate, water, sunlight, farming techniques, fermentation time, type of containers for maturation, soil condition, and the winemakers themselves during the winemaking process come together to play a role in shaping the taste of wine, which is why every bottle of wine has characteristics unique to its background.

5 Reasons You Should Enjoy a Glass of Wine

Trust that Mr.Chow is always looking for an excuse to drink, but not without fully understanding the good and bad effects of wine. 

Cons of drinking only become cons when it is done excessively without control. Over-drinking wine or any type of alcohol can bring harm to our lives such as affected liver health, possibility of addiction, unhealthy weight gain, and more. 

That being said, if wine drinking is done moderately, there are ample benefits that can be gained to make the drinking experience all the more pleasant: 

1. Antioxidants

Both red and white wines are full of nutrients, but red wine has more because the grape skins are mixed in the making process, and nutrients are concentrated in the skins. 

Red wine is very rich in antioxidants, a protective component our bodies need to fight against inflammation and cellular damage. Most of the common wine benefits you hear about are usually attributed to the proanthocyanidins and resveratrol antioxidants found in grape skins. If you’re going to use getting your dose of antioxidants as an excuse to drink, you may be better off getting a proper intake from supplements.

2. Reduces Risk of Diseases

With moderate or light drinking, a study has shown that wine may reduce the risk of dementia or cognitive decline. Another research also claims that wine can improve our insulin sensitivity, reducing our risk of diabetes. However, drinking heavily would in turn bring adverse effects and an increased risk of diabetes instead.

3. Heart Health

The ethanol in red wine combines with the antioxidant components and protects the lining of blood vessels in the heart, improving the overall circulatory system. 

4. Better Memory & Thinking Skills

Resveratrol - the antioxidant compound in wine is found to keep our cognitive functions sharp and healthy as well. When drunk moderately, wine could enhance memory and sharpen thinking skills.

5. Anti-Ageing Properties

The antioxidants strike yet again by removing free radicals we are exposed to in our day-to-day life and make effects of the ageing process less prominent. As a result, your skin may end up looking more youthful and radiant.

Pairing Food with Wine

Sipping wine with food has been a centuries-old practice adopted by cultures around the world. Hence, here is Mr.Chow’s Asian-inspired wine guide on how to create the perfect balance of flavours in your mouth.  

(Check out our Cocktale post on the various types of wine here for a better idea of the bottles we’re talking about!)

1. Pinot Noir

Characteristics:

• Red wine
• Dry
• Light-bodied
• Rich and fragrant in red fruit flavours
• Savoury depth
• High acidity 

Pair with: 

• Earthy flavours such as dishes with mushrooms and lentils
• Peking duck
• Char siu pork dishes

Shop: https://mrchowliquorstore.com/en/penfolds-bin-23-pinot-noir-750ml 

2. Chardonnay

Source: Delish

Characteristics:

• White wine
• Dry
• Medium-bodied
• Taste ranges from refreshing citrus to sweet tropical
• Crisp and fresh
• Moderate acidity

Pair with:

• Creamy curry chicken
• Mapo tofu
• Seafood cooked with rich sauces

3. Champagne

Characteristics:

• Sparkling white wine
• Most commonly brut (driest) 
• Velvety texture
• Can be light, medium, and full-bodied
• Typically tart, fruity and creamy tasting

Pair with:

• Vietnamese spring rolls with sweet chilli 
• Kimchi fried pork
• Lobster

 Shop: https://mrchowliquorstore.com/en/moet-chandon-rose-750ml 

4. Cabernet Sauvignon

Characteristics:

• Red wine
• Dry
• Full-bodied
• Dark fruit flavours
• Savoury notes of spice and black pepper
• Low acidity

Pair with:

• Juicy red meat steaks
• Beef rendang
• Braised duck

 Shop: https://mrchowliquorstore.com/en/cape-mentelle-cabernet-sauvignon-2010-750ml 

5. Sauvignon Blanc

Characteristics:

• White wine
• Mostly dry
• Medium-bodied
• Fresh and fruity flavours
• Notes of grass and grapefruit
• High acidity

Pair with:

• Goat cheese and crackers
• Tom yum noodles
• Chicken yakitori

Order Wine Online for A Good Time

Bottom line, Mr.Chow wants you to be mindful when it comes to wine and drinking but don’t let that stop you from enjoying yourself!  Get wine online with free alcohol delivery when you order from Mr. Chow’s Liquor Store.