Cover Vyne Wine’s founder Kit Kuan (Photo: Vyne Wine)
Vyne Wine’s founder Kit Kuan (Photo: Vyne Wine)
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Vyne Wine hopes to make wine approachable to all, one bottle at a time
“When I first entered the wine market, I was surprised at how difficult it was to learn about it in simple terms,” says Kit Kuan, the founder of Vyne Wine. “A big gap in the market is education, and we try to help younger audiences understand wine in an approachable manner.”
An online retail store for alcoholic beverages, Vyne Wine was founded by 27-year-old Kit Kuan in 2018 as a diversification project within his family business in logistics. “We began with importing our own products, starting with wine from a family friend based in Italy, and from there it grew,” Kuan enthuses. “When the pandemic hit, being an essential service in e-commerce, we were able to operate as normal.”
Read more: Wind down after a long day at these natural wine bars
Above Vyne Wine often hosts Vyne Pours Over, a tasting event featuring a wide selection of its labels
Vyne Wine often hosts Vyne Pours Over, a tasting event featuring a wide selection of its labels
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During the pandemic, the company was able to support its existing clients, many of whom were alcohol importers who were unable to sell wines to restaurants that had shut. “It was an opportunity to give retailers a platform to sell on, as well as providing marketing, logistics, and sales services,” Kuan continues.
Wine has the stigma of being intimidating, but Vyne Wine provides pours at affordable prices, often hosting events and brand collaborations. “We sell all kinds of wines, from organic and sweet wines to more conventional bottles,” Kuan says. “The prices range from as low as RM75 to RM600, as we want to offer a wide spectrum in our portfolio.”
Above A selection from Vyne’s repertoire
A selection from Vyne’s repertoire
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Kuan shares five tips for those new to wine:
Explore all ranges: Try wines across price ranges, from affordable to pricier ones, to appreciate diverse flavours and quality.
Share with friends: Enjoy wine in the company of friends to savour the social experience and explore varied preferences together.
Research grape varieties: Invest some time in researching grape varieties and wine basics to better understand different characteristics.
Master food pairings: Experiment with pairing wine and food to enhance flavours and create delightful culinary experiences.
Invest in quality stemware: Consider investing in good stemware as it can significantly aid in aerating wine and bringing out its fullest flavours.
“The world of wine is changing, so there isn’t any right or wrong,” Kuan says. “It is really about embracing every grape and finding flavours you love and appreciating how they hit your taste buds.”
While natural wines are making waves, with importers and stores shining a light on such labels, Kuan believes that we should not overlook traditional wineries. “It’s great as this encourages both traditional and innovative approaches, enabling consumers to experience new styles year after year.”
Above With Vyne Wine, Kuan hopes to make drinking wine accessible to all
With Vyne Wine, Kuan hopes to make drinking wine accessible to all
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Speaking about the future, Kuan shares that he hopes Vyne Wine will one day be a physical store. Furthermore, the company has plans to diversify its range to include independent spirits and local alcohols. “We’re a small team that works closely with different spaces and homegrown brands, and we can’t wait to do more within the community.”
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Credits
Images: Vyne Wine
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About
Katelyn is the dining and travel editor of Malaysia and Indonesia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she offers readers an inside look at the movers and shakers in Asia’s growing food and beverage industry.
