yangon drinks: wines

The wine display at Governor's Residence.

In one of those "who knew" moments, Mr. Sazy Rock and I ended up doing an impromptu Burmese wine tasting at the Belmond Governor's Residence in a tony part of Yangon. I am unsure about the state of the Burmese wine industry but it appears that they are definitely trying to establish a premiere one in Southeast Asia.

The wines we tried were all from grapes grown in Myanmar's Shan state. I was told that the area is cooler due to its elevation and that grapes are grown at over 1,000 meters above sea level. It also appears that French and German winemakers, along with locals, have had a hand in developing the wines.


While my wine knowledge is not extensive, I certainly enjoy drinking fermented grapes.

We tried a Sauvignon Blanc by Aythaya. It did not compare to those from France's Loire Valley, New Zealand's Marlborough, and other established wine growing areas. But, I was surprised by its drinkability. Who knew the grape could grow in Southeast Asia?

Sauvignon Blanc.

We also tried a Syrah blended with Dornfelder by Aythaya. It was mild and not tannic, and fruity on the nose.

Shiraz/Dornfelder.

Finally, we tried a Syrah and Tempranillo blend by Red Mountain Estate. I did not expect the smokiness on the nose. It tasted robust too. 

Shiraz/Tempranillo.

It was exciting to try these offerings. And at 13% (the white was at 12.5%), these wines were drinkable and not the fruit bombs typically found in new world wines. I am definitely looking forward to seeing how Myanmar's wine industry develops.


What country has surprised you with its wine offerings?