Wine Talk With Room Service

David Stephan, Wine Talk’s Sommelier & General Manager

Much as I enjoy blogging about beauty products, I am also interested in other lifestyle topics, especially those that I have next to no knowledge of like the world of wine. As a student with no budget years ago, I indulged in the occasional bottle of Asti Spumante (since it has a low alcohol content and was cheap overseas!) and that was the limit of my drinking vino experience. When I received an invitation to Wine Talk’s presentation by their Sommelier/General Manager, David Stephan, this Vino Ignoramus was happy to finally gain some much longed for knowledge about wines (I almost purchased “The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Wine” some time ago but decided I was too lazy to read the entire book).

Firstly, a little information about Wine Talk. Wine Talk is a new concept created by the collaboration between Room Service Deliveries and Gastrodome, famed for operating La Bodega, Pressroom & Espressamente Illy.

Established in 2003, Room Service Deliveries has been a pioneer in the food delivery service in South East Asia with operations in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Room Service is a unique offering that relates to everyone — young, old, single, families, small companies and large corporations; any individual or group of people wanting dishes from their favourite restaurants delivered to their doorstep. As Malaysia’s leading food delivery service provider, Room Service Deliveries is undoubtedly the expert in service and logistics of the food delivery business.

As one of the largest independent restaurant operators in Kuala Lumpur, Gastrodome Management Services has impacted the Malaysian food & wine scene since the late nineties. Their unique collection of outlets are well known for consistently serving excellent cuisine ranging from mouth-watering Spanish tapas and super Spanish wines at their La Bodega outlets to the simple European tastes of The Press Room and Espressamente Illy.

Combining their expertise in both fields, Wine Talk aims to offer more than just a wine delivery service. Wine Talk invites Malaysians to embark on a Wine Journey by becoming a `Wine Explorer’. The term `Wine Explorer’ is reserved for those who sign up for their Wine Journey; an exclusive service that introduces its members to new cases of wines that are especially hand-picked by David Stephan. Alternatively, members may order their favourite wines from a complete list of almost 400 labels or from their carefully pre-selected mixed-cases.

A selection of wines from Wine Talk

David Stephan studied hospitality and sommelerie in a professional school from the age of 16 in France, with internships including stints in various hotels & renowned restaurants in Paris. In the late 90s, he moved to the exclusive island of St Barts, working in a 5-star resort. The island is famous for stunning beaches and locations, but also high-end hotels and restaurants, frequented by the rich and famous including ‘L’Esprit Salines‘, one of the island’s top restaurants, where he managed a splendid premium wine list. In 2003, he moved to Shanghai, China where he worked in relation with the wine industry for 8 years.

Cristal glasses exclusive to 1st 30 Wine Talk members

Each mixed case will comprise of history and tasting notes of each wine together with food pairing recommendations. Customers can choose from a selection of just reds to whites or a combination of red, rosé and white wines. Each case will have for example up to two bottles of each label, with wines selected from the world’s major wine regions. As a Wine Talk member, there is no sign up fee; no cancellation fee; you can pause and continue when you wish. Members can receive exclusive wines and a free wine starter kit including 6 Cristal glasses (for their first 30 members). Delivery is free within the Klang Valley and your case will arrive at your doorstep with David’s notes for your pleasurable wine experience.

Embark on a journey to discover wines from as far as Alsace, Eastern France to Stellenbosch, South Africa; from the classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to the less known Monte De Peceguina from Portugal. Some of these cases include best-sellers, classics and debutants from new world countries. Prices for a mixed case starts at just RM428 (6 bottles) and goes up to RM1,648 (12 bottles) for their ‘Luxury Collection’ mixed case.

The service is currently available in major towns across Peninsular Malaysia. For further information, log on to www.winetalk.com.my or call 1300 88 97 88. With over 400 labels to choose from, I am sure Wine Talk’s selection will satisfy any wine connoisseur anywhere.

In Part 2 of The Wine Talk Experience, I will feature the 6 wines introduced by David Stephan to guests at his presentation.