Cover The selection of wines at Basic Wine Store (Photo: Instagram/@basicwinestore)
The selection of wines at Basic Wine Store (Photo: Instagram/@basicwinestore)
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Here are our favourite wine bars boasting exciting pours
The first time I came across natural wines was when I was passed a glass of low-intervention white wine a couple of years ago. “Try it, it’s funky,” encouraged a friend of mine. While I can’t for the life of me remember the label (perhaps I was too many drinks in), what I do remember is that it was the first time I had ever heard the words ‘funky’ and ‘barnyard’ associated with wine.
So, what exactly are natural, or low-intervention, wines? The concept refers to wines produced without additives or pesticides during the grape growing or winemaking process.
Today, it is not surprising to see natural wines gracing the menus of many a dining space, from casual restaurants to specialised wine bars. Here are 14 spaces known for their variety of wines, including those that are natural.
Read more: 5 dishes and drinks you didn’t know were Malaysian inventions
Wine Not Penang
Above Communal Table by Gen 根 and by the same talents comes Wine Not Penang, a homey space celebrating small-scale producers. After a meal below, head upstairs and end the night with a bottle (or two!). Look out for exciting boutique labels and upcoming masterclasses on Wine Not’s Instagram.
Wine Not Penang
Address: 68b, Lebuh Presgrave, George Town, 10300 George Town. +6012 600 3323
Murky Wines
Unassumingly nestled in The Gasket Alley, Murky Wines imports natural wines from across the globe. Both a bottle shop and a tasting bar, you’ll be able to get your natty wine fix and bring it home or pull up a chair to pour yourself a glass on the spot. You can expect a lineup of niche pours from labels like Mythopia, Gut Oggau, Milan Nestarec, and more.
Murky Wines
Address: Unit 15-12, Lot 15, The Gasket Alley, 13, Jln 13/6, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Unwined KL
Tucked in Bangsar’s APW is natural wine bar Unwined KL, the brainchild of Hsiao Tung Wei, a firm believer in the benefits of low-intervention wines. The selection offered can be enjoyed in house alongside a selection of bites from the wine bar’s neighbours.
Unwined KL
Address: B-01, 29, Jalan Riong, APW Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur. +6010 786 6711
See also: Where to eat and drink in Cheras
Up KL
For tapas and mezze paired with natural pours, Up KL is the place to go. You’ll find a savoury selection of fried spiced potatoes, prawns in olive oil and garlic, Angus flank steak paired with spring onion chimichurri, and its signature Ottoman kebabs with eggplant, cheese, and tomato alongside a collection of reds, whites, oranges and rosés sourced from around the globe.
Up KL
Address: 40-01, Jalan Doraisamy, 50300 Kuala Lumpur.
Ino
Above A shelf lined with natural wines (Photo: Instagram / @sherriehoo)
A shelf lined with natural wines (Photo: Instagram / @sherriehoo)
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Despite there being standing room only at George Town’s newest natural wine bar, Ino is bound to impress. The spot is the latest venture from the minds behind Ome by Spacebar Coffee. Still soft launching on Lorong Toh Aka, you can expect an expansive collection of funky natural pours.
Ino
Address: Lorong Toh Aka, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Psychotic Operator
Just a few doors down from Taman Paramount’s favourite craft beer joint is Psychotic Operator, the sister wine space to Monster and Beer. The wine list here is impressive, bringing together a slew of both conventional and low-intervention wines. You’ll find wines from Australia’s Bloom, Chile’s Morande Adventure, Spain’s Tapas Wine Collection, and more.
Psychotic Operator
Address: 17, Jalan 20/13, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. +6012 916 6713
Basic Wine Store
From the seasoned team behind Table & Apron and Universal Bakehouse comes Basic Wine Store, located within Arcoris Mont Kiara. Its small-batch artisanal wines from wine importer Corevino are best paired with the snacks on the menu, from lardo and pickles on toast to tinned seafood.
Basic Wine Store
Address: Lot 13A, Ground Floor, Arcoris, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Instagram /@basicwinestore
Mellow Wine KL
Boutique wine bar and dining room Mellow Wine KL in Seventeen Mall offers a diverse selection of natural wines and small plates to complement the drinks.
Mellow Wine KL
Address: L1-06A, Seventeen Mall, Jalan 17/38, Seksyen 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya. +6016 260 1701
Mount Pleasure
Tucked in between Feeka Coffee Roasters and Pizza Mansion at The Five @ KPD, Mount Pleasure provides natural pours best paired with food from the aforementioned eateries. Whether it is brunch or pizza you choose to pair with your wine, it is hard to go wrong.
Mount Pleasure
Address: E-GF-2, No. 49, The Five @ KPD, Jalan Dungun, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur. Instagram / @thisismountpleasure
Winelust
Located in event space and dining hub Jio Space, Winelust is Petaling Jaya’s newest natural wine bar. Pair its organic and biodynamic wines with food from its meat-focused menu, designed by chef Yenni Law.
Winelust
Address: Lot 1, Jalan 19/1b, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya. +6011 5100 3111
D’s Wine Bar
Located in Damansara Kim, D’s Wine Bar aims to educate those interested in wine with the selection of labels it imports under DC Selections. With a focus on grower Champagne and Burgundy, it also recently welcomed a new kitchen team in the form of Jung & Co, serving up heritage food in the relaxing space.
D’s Wine Bar
Address: 12, Jalan SS 20/10, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya. +6012 857 6870
Juno Wine Bar
Located next to Coley, Juno Wine Bar serves an ever-changing selection of small plates that pair well with its wine selection. Try the avocado tempura, which is divine.
Juno
Address: 4, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur. Instagram / @junowinebar
Unwined Plus
Located next to Jaslyn Cakes along Jalan Telawi 2 is Unwined Plus, an extension of Unwined KL that serves Asian-inspired sharing plates to pair with its extensive range of natural pours. The process of selecting the right bottle is made easy with the help of the restaurant’s friendly staff.
Unwined Plus
Address: 7, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur. +6012 209 0226
Unwined Cabana
A collaboration between Unwined and DC Selections, Unwined Cabana is Chinatown's newest wine bar, serving pét-nats, grower champagnes, and burgundies.
Unwined Cabana
Address: 4th floor, Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, 50000 Kuala Lumpur. Instagram / @unwinedcabana
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