Cover The new UPCOZE White Coffee Merlot 2026 display at DLG Holdings Sdn Bhd
The new UPCOZE White Coffee Merlot 2026 display at DLG Holdings Sdn Bhd
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The company is founded by entrepreneur Dato’ David Leo and its coffee and wine based product is grounded in craftsmanship and heritage
One of Malaysia’s most iconic flavours is white coffee. While this may seem worlds apart from New World winemaking, this connection is exactly what Dato’ David Leo has done with UPCOZE with the introduction of the White Coffee Merlot. The idea first began in 2017, inspired by his Eurasian ancestry.
While it seemed like a bold product, the end result is actually subtle and restrained. “This is a marriage of the East and West,” he says. “It reflects our origin, our heritage, and what Malaysians are known for.”
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Above The founder, Dato’ David Leo was awarded a Malaysian Book of Records (MBR) entry in 2025 – First to Invent White Coffee-flavored Red Wine (Individual Record)
The founder, Dato’ David Leo was awarded a Malaysian Book of Records (MBR) entry in 2025 – First to Invent White Coffee-flavored Red Wine (Individual Record)
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Above Dato’ David Leo possesses wine and spirits credentials such as the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits (Advanced), French Wine Scholar (FWS), and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW)
Dato’ David Leo possesses wine and spirits credentials such as the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits (Advanced), French Wine Scholar (FWS), and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW)
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The White Coffee Merlot starts with a Merlot base crafted from fruits from around the globe but nurtured and fermented in Malaysia. Ground coffee beans, roasted traditionally with margarine, are introduced to the wine through cold-method maceration, infused over 6 to 8 weeks.
Above The new UPCOZE White Coffee Merlot 2026 display at DLG Holdings Sdn Bhd
Above A unique blend of white coffee, fruit and spice characters
The new UPCOZE White Coffee Merlot 2026 display at DLG Holdings Sdn Bhd
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After this, it is filtered, bottled, and aged, and layers of flavour develop over time. Business associates Simon Leo, Anthony Mok and Jeff Tan say the response is high in Asia, especially China, with consumers appreciating the wine’s complexity and cultural narrative: “They’re drawn to the harmony between Malaysia’s white coffee and red wine.”
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Above UPCOZE White Coffee Red Wine Display at Warisan Duty Free Outlet, Langkawi Island
UPCOZE White Coffee Red Wine Display at Warisan Duty Free Outlet, Langkawi Island
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The wine retails between RM108 and RM138, and is available through UPCOZE’s official channels, selected retailers, and select duty-free locations in Langkawi. This marks a bold step for Malaysia, showcasing that the country’s heritage should be propagated on the world stage.
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