Savouring Joseph Drouhin Wines at The View, Equatorial Hotel Penang

BY CK Lam

Joseph Drouhin’s wine pairing event added to my wine tasting list!

I had the pleasure of attending the Joseph Drouhin wine pairing dinner held up above at The View in Equatorial Hotel, Penang. The restaurant stays true to its name, with large windows giving great view of the Penang Bridge and the new second bridge link in addition to the lush greeny Bukit Jambul Golf Course.

The classic wines of Burgundy were presented with a savory course dinner. Guests were greeted with the Joseph Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay 2009. This aromatic white wine with sweet aroma was enjoyable with varieties of canapes.

Particularly inviting was the Boursin cheese & cherry tomato with pesto and house cured salmon topped with spicy beetroot salsa.

Everyone took the seats at the long table in a private room for dinner. The first course for the evening was the nicoise style tuna carpaccio mesclun salad and mustard vinaigrette. The Joseph Drouhin Chablis Domaine de Vaudon 2010 made this light and comforting salad all the more delightful.

The third white was the Joseph Drouhin Saint Veran 2009, made from the Chardonnay grape. This white with intense fruity and refreshing taste was a great accompaniment to the pan seared Australian scallops with spinach pasta & balsamic emulsion. The choice of spinach pasta produced texture and flavor to the dish.

There were two red offerings for the evening. The first was the Joseph Drouhin Chambolle Musigny 2007 and the Joseph Drouhin Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru ‘Morgeot’ 2008.

The Joseph Drouhin Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru ‘Morgeot’ 2008 was paired with pan seared beef medallions together with sauteed Brussel sprouts, rosemary potatoes and porcini mushroom sauce. The meat cooked medium rare with good texture went superbly well with the red wine.

The dish pairing for the Josephy Drouhin Chambolle Musigny 2007 was the pan roasted cod fillet. The fruity red wine with complex aromas of berries and a long aftertaste was beautiful against the fish with sauteed Belgium endive-chanterelle mushroom and passion fruit cream sauce.

It was a great evening with the presence of Mr Christophe Thomas who gave an introduction on the wines. Supplied by Asiaeuro, the Joseph Drouhin Chambolle Musigny 2007 is priced at RM380 and the Joseph Drouhin Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru ‘Morgeot’ 2008 at RM326.