Bordeaux Rendez-Vous 2017

Representatives from the participating wineries at Bordeaux Rendez-Vous 2017 (6 Mac 2017)


B. Melayu

Bordeaux Rendez-Vous is a wine-appreciation roadshow that is organised by wine mercantile company Maison Barrière. It gathers some of the most prestigious wineries in Bordeaux, France, to visit various destinations in Southeast Asia, to meet and introduce their wines to local enthusiasts and connoisseurs. Most of these wineries are called châteaux, after the name of the manor house to which they belong.

The Penang chapter of this prestigious event was held this year at the Feringgi Grill, at Rasa Sayang Resort, on 6 March, 2017, and made possible by collaboration with The Wine Shop.

The meal that evening is semi-buffet with items created by Feringgi Grill's own Executive Chef Thibaut Pouplard. It comprises two items, the first course being Scallops with Caramelised Cauliflower, Capers and Raisin Emulsion. This is followed by the main course, which can be either Roasted Lamb Cutlets, Ricotta, Garlic and Mint, or Beef Rib-eye, Sweet-Potato Purée, Spinach and Pistachio.

Apart from the two courses, diners are free to entertain themselves with the hors d'œuvre, which was a selection of charcuterie delicacies such as Foie Gras Terrine, Duck Breast Salad, Homemade Broiche and Sourdough bread. In another serving station, the various greens are spread out on a long table, which was carpeted with artificial turf, to give it a rustic, country feel. And next to the wine store is a cheese counter, with various types of cheese.

The seafood spread is just across from our main table. It includes various Japanese items such as sushi and sashimi, as well as seafood such as scallops, prawns and crabs. After the participating vineyard representatives were given a briefing by Rasa Sayang's resident manager, we mingled about and tried out various types of wine.

The vineyard reps would visit each of our table and explained to us the taste of his or her wine, and let me try a sampling of it. That evening, I was seated next to Monsieur Matthieu Bordes, the representative from Château Lagrange vineyard, while directly across from me was Tunku Suleiman, the Director of Communications at Rasa Sayang Resort. It was he who had invited my wife and me to this evening's rendezvous, and was truly a paragon of hospitality.

Also at our table that evening was Monsieur Lucas Leclercq representing Château Lafon-Rochet and Madame Laure Bastard representing Château Giscours and Château du Tertre. Joining us at the same table was popular food blogger CK Lam and her husband, whom I am only meeting for the first time (but within two days, would find myself meeting him again!)

It was a delightful evening and both my wife and I enjoyed ourselves, though this being the first time we have ever attended a wine tasting, we couldn't help feeling a bit self conscious in case we should commit a faux pas. But as it turns out, the evening is not all straitlaced, so after a while we were able to relax and get into the mood.

Bordeaux wineries participating in the Bordeaux Rendez-Vous

Map of châteaux in the Bordeaux Rendez-Vous 2017

Cheers from the Bordeaux Rendez-Vous 2017 (6 March 2017)


Cheers from the Bordeaux Rendez-Vous 2017 (6 March 2017)


The first course was Scallops with Caramelised Cauliflower, Capers and Raisin Emulsion. (6 March 2017)


The main course was Beef Rib-eye, Sweet-Potatoo Purée, Spinach and Pistachio. (6 March 2017)


Madame Laure Bastard with a bottle of Château Du Tertre, with CK Lam and myself. (6 March 2017)


Monsieur Lucas Leclercq joining me in holding a bottle of Château Lafon-Rochet. (6 March 2017)


Madame Sophie Marc and I hold a bottle of Château Calon Ségur. (6 March 2017)


Kitchen helpers preparing the various hors d'œuvre for the evening. (6 March 2017)


Various types of cheese at the dinner. (6 March 2017)


Bottles of wine from the participating Bordeaux châteaux. (6 March 2017)


Wine glasses were all at the ready. (6 March 2017)


To your health! My wife and I enjoying ourselves at Rasa Sayang Resort's Bordeaux Rendez-Vous 2017 (6 March 2017)

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