Vin+ offers booze at attractive prices in stylish surroundings
Vin+ offers booze at attractive prices in stylish surroundings
Rich Simons, Contributor/Jakarta
Port (wine) is the comfort of
age and the companion of the scholar and the philosopher.
(Evelyn Waugh)
In yet another tangible indicator that Indonesia, and Jakarta in
particular, is recovering from the economic and social confusion
of the 1990s, VIN+, a bright, spacious, oh-so-chic wine boutique
has opened its doors to the public in Kemang.
It is the first such "wine boutique" in the country, complete
with wine accessories, a soon-to-open delicatessen and a wine-
tasting room, not to mention an airy, minimalist-style main
market with aisles and aisles of wine.
There are also a few corners with some top-notch spirits and
imported German beer.
Its prime location on Jl. Kemang Raya, and large ritzy
storefront, which resembles an elegant, fashionable art gallery,
would lead some to jump immediately to the conclusion that such
an upmarket presence and style would also mean outrageously
overpriced, imported wines, beers and spirits.
Au Contraire! This sexy little number also has extremely
competitive prices, just as if they were -- well -- in a manner
of speaking, free of duty costs and other add-on fees that lead
to the exorbitant prices of so many imported items in Indonesia.
So many places in Kemang are like that, only affordable for
the CEOs of oil companies, famous actors and politicians.
But VIN+ has something for everyone's budget and taste buds,
including the US$300 Penfold's Grange, 12-year-old Chivas Regal
for $33, Isle of Jura Scotch for $70, Dom Perignon, Cinzano, Jack
Daniels as well as several bottles of wine for less than $7.
They will take U.S. dollars or rupiah.
VIN+ has a special cooperative agreement with a winery in
southern France to bottle and label its own house brands of red
and white.
The red is called MV privilege and will set you back about $7.
The white is called Vendange de Minuit, or VDM, and costs just
under $4. Both are sweet, fruity and refreshing.
As one of the local owners explained, most Indonesians prefer
sweet wine, and thus it could be a way to get more folks
attracted to wine, as it is still a relatively new taste to most
Asians.
They even deliver for those not keen on dealing with the
traffic before popping the cork.
Another fact that sets this apart from other upscale import
goods markets is that all of the owners are Indonesian and they
aim to please both Indonesians and expatriates alike.
Well-traveled to be sure, but clearly they have done their
homework and have done a great service to all residents of
Greater Jakarta.
This brings to mind a famous quote by one of America's
founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson: "By making this wine
available to the public, I have rendered my country as great a
service as if I had enabled it to pay back the national debt."
Rich Simons, Contributor/Jakarta
Port (wine) is the comfort of
age and the companion of the scholar and the philosopher.
(Evelyn Waugh)
In yet another tangible indicator that Indonesia, and Jakarta in
particular, is recovering from the economic and social confusion
of the 1990s, VIN+, a bright, spacious, oh-so-chic wine boutique
has opened its doors to the public in Kemang.
It is the first such "wine boutique" in the country, complete
with wine accessories, a soon-to-open delicatessen and a wine-
tasting room, not to mention an airy, minimalist-style main
market with aisles and aisles of wine.
There are also a few corners with some top-notch spirits and
imported German beer.
Its prime location on Jl. Kemang Raya, and large ritzy
storefront, which resembles an elegant, fashionable art gallery,
would lead some to jump immediately to the conclusion that such
an upmarket presence and style would also mean outrageously
overpriced, imported wines, beers and spirits.
Au Contraire! This sexy little number also has extremely
competitive prices, just as if they were -- well -- in a manner
of speaking, free of duty costs and other add-on fees that lead
to the exorbitant prices of so many imported items in Indonesia.
So many places in Kemang are like that, only affordable for
the CEOs of oil companies, famous actors and politicians.
But VIN+ has something for everyone's budget and taste buds,
including the US$300 Penfold's Grange, 12-year-old Chivas Regal
for $33, Isle of Jura Scotch for $70, Dom Perignon, Cinzano, Jack
Daniels as well as several bottles of wine for less than $7.
They will take U.S. dollars or rupiah.
VIN+ has a special cooperative agreement with a winery in
southern France to bottle and label its own house brands of red
and white.
The red is called MV privilege and will set you back about $7.
The white is called Vendange de Minuit, or VDM, and costs just
under $4. Both are sweet, fruity and refreshing.
As one of the local owners explained, most Indonesians prefer
sweet wine, and thus it could be a way to get more folks
attracted to wine, as it is still a relatively new taste to most
Asians.
They even deliver for those not keen on dealing with the
traffic before popping the cork.
Another fact that sets this apart from other upscale import
goods markets is that all of the owners are Indonesian and they
aim to please both Indonesians and expatriates alike.
Well-traveled to be sure, but clearly they have done their
homework and have done a great service to all residents of
Greater Jakarta.
This brings to mind a famous quote by one of America's
founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson: "By making this wine
available to the public, I have rendered my country as great a
service as if I had enabled it to pay back the national debt."