Labours of Love
Wine, cigars and coffee are a passion in Jakarta. Star cigar rollers often come through the city and wine lounges and cafes are popping up all over the shop. They require skill and dedication to produce. In bustling Jakarta what better way to relax than by slowly savouring a good wine, cappuccino or a fine cigar?

Bad wine is like bad breath. It can really kill the mood. There's really nothing more disappointing than one moment toasting your significant other whilst gazing adoringly into their sparkling candle-lit eyes, and the next minute be choking down an unbearable mouthful of bitter putrescence. To avoid this kind of embarassment, most of us, when we find a wine we like we stick to it and rarely try something new. But JJK wine columnist, Simone Baldwin, recommends experimenting with wines and moving out of your comfort zone of what you always drink or know. '95% of the wine available in Jakarta is of good commercial standard anyway, these are wines made to please the masses so you would be pretty unlucky to get a super dodgy wine.'

When it comes to choosing a white, Simone advises that one should be on the lookout for any discoloured wines, i.e, too yellow. With whites like Chardonnay and Savignon Blanc - the majority of these are better if consumed young, so keep away from whites that have 4 or 5 years age on them. They could have been sitting around for too long and become oxidized or heat affected.

For throwing a wine tasting party, Simone recommends picking a theme and doing a comparison such as Burgundy vs. New World Pinot Noir. Cover the bottles in a sock or tin foil so the label is covered and taste them blind. Sniff, swirl and swallow - then discuss. Wine and cheese parties are always a success and Simone adds that cheese goes quite well with dessert wines or 'stickies'.

For those who would like to learn more about wine, Simone will be teaching wine classes starting this month. For more information, check out the write-up in the What's On section.

Where to Buy

1. Vin +
   Jl. Kemang Raya No. 45 B
   T. 021 7179 2577
2. Bumi Ayu
   Fatmawati Mas Building I/20
   Jl. Fatmawati
   T 021 765 4929
3. Marinda Duty Free
   Intercontinental Mid-Plaza
   Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Kav 10-11
   T 021 251 0888
4. Kemang Duty Free
   Jl. Kemang Raya, No. 8B
   T. 021 719 9283

Where to Buy

1. Burgundy
   Fresh, sophisticated upmarket bar. One reader commented that burgundy was 'the Starbuck's of bars. You always know you'll get something good here.'
   Grand Hyatt Hotel Jl. Thamrin T 021 390 1234
2. Bacchus
   Offers fine wine and superb food in an intimate and cozy atmosphere. Intercontinental Mid Plaza Jl. Sudirman T 021 251 0888
3. Circa
   Boudoir-like bar with plush seating and beds overlooking the twinkling city below.
   Wisma 46, Kota BNI Level 48 Jalan Sudirman T 021 5799 3471
4. Churchill
   A cozy billiard bar with a great selection of wine and cigars. Hotel Borobudur Jl. Lapangan Banteng Selatan T 021 380 5555
5. Connoisseur
   Small wine bar that offers wine tasting on some Friday nights. Cilandak Town Square T 021 759 20355
6. Paprika
   Super-trendy wine lounge and restaurant.
   Jl. Wahid Hasyim No 55A T 021 314 4113
7. Upstairs
   Hip wine lounge with good selection of bottles, finger food and laid-back jazzy tunes. Plaza Senayan, P4. Jl. Asia Afrika T 021 572 5337
8. Venue
   Cool retro-style wine lounge and restaurant.
   Jl. Kemang Selatan No 2 T 021 780 5610