Enjoy this photo of Beth’s second glass of wine in Asia. Second only because when traveling through Southeast Asia, our official Witty Pairs recommendation when it comes to ordering wine is: “eh, maybe don’t.” If you’re into beer, the beer here is soo cheap and served cold! Cocktails can be great too, but be mindful of where you are: ice can be problematic in some establishments. Often, restaurants that cater to tourists will purchase filtered ice that gets served in your cocktails. Local joints may do this too, but some filter their own water or just fill their ice trays from the tap. You want the filtered stuff if you’re visiting from outside the region.
Wine is a different story. There are super cheap wines available at Western prices (read: still expensive by SE Asia standards) at some convenience stores and restaurants, but the wine is often served at room temperature. And room temperature in Southeast Asia? It’s flippin’ hot! Beth’s first glass of wine was a room temp house Merlot, ordered at a wine bar in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It tasted like Manichevitz (iykyk) and regret.
That said, there are exceptions to every rule (especially when it’s a wine rule!). In Siem Reap, Cambodia, there’s a Georgian restaurant @caucasusgeorgianrestaurant that serves up exceptional Georgian cuisine and imported wines. A glass of rosé (that kind of tasted like an orange wine) went perfectly with a cucumber tomato salad with ajika green sauce and a sampler of khachapuri (traditional cheesy bread). It was also served chilled – very refreshing after a full day of exploring Angkor Wat’s great temples and ruins!
Have you visited SE Asia? What’s your beverage of choice on this side of the world?
Witty Pairs 