Friday Feels & the WINES to go with them

Another weekend is upon us and in this uncertain time of not knowing exactly what is open in Ubud or where you are allowed to go out and explore, one thing is certain- there is always time for wine 🍷

While we love to indulge in top label libations, we also know sometimes you need to keep a budget and that’s when the local wines of Bali come in. We know what you’re thinking wine from the TROPICS?! 🤷‍♀️but hang in there with us, it really is true!

A few years back the choices were bleak and it was smarter to save your pennies and focus on wine for celebrations and fancy dinners or skip it altogether and stick with the hard stuff. Now you are able to enjoy decent locally grown and produced vino at half the cost of the imported selections. 🙌

There are a few different varietals grown in the rich volcanic soil of the “Island of the Gods” but Alphonse-Lavelle and Muscat are the ones primarily featured in the bottles of Red, White, Rosé that you’ll find on the shelves.

Here at Pesona Lounge we have chosen to promote 2 different local producers, Sababay and Isola. Beyond being from different companies, one of the other major differences is the winemaker and where they are from, France and Italy respectively. These artistic subtleties in the wine prove themselves by producing very unique beverages. While the reds are softer than some of the heady wines of the west, they are perfect for the heat both in the temperature of steamy Bali and with the fiery dishes here (including some of our delicious Indian cuisine 👌) The whites are light bodied, floral and fruity- easily drinkable chilled in the afternoon or with a meal.

Even after all of these improvements, we know some Bali residents (ahem, expats) still turn their nose up to the suggestion of local wines. This is a shame, as with any burgeoning industry it’s only getting more interesting and it’s fun to visit the wineries and taste the ever-growing flight options.

Still, we aim to please, so another great way to enjoy these fermented grape juice masterpieces is in the form of Sangria! So, here’s a fun sipper of a recipe for an Indian-inspired spiced Sangria because, you know, we’re an Indian restaurant at our core. Enjoy! 🥂

Ingredients

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup honey, preferably orange-blossom

• Zest of 2 lemons, cut into long strips

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)

• 4 whole star anise

• 4 cinnamon sticks

• 12 whole cloves

• 2 bottles white wine (Isola White or Sababay White Blossom)

• 1/2 cup orange liqueur

• 1 golden apple, cored, halved, and thinly sliced

• 1 pear, cored, halved, and thinly sliced

• 2 local oranges thinly sliced crosswise

Directions

• Step 1

  Bring water, honey, lemon zest and juice, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes.

• Step 2

  To serve cold: Mix spice mixture, wine, liqueur, and fruit in a large pitcher. Cover, and refrigerate overnight. Transfer to a large punch bowl, and serve with ice.

Need a bottle like NOW?! No worries- we deliver! Just use this link to ORDER NOW and our team can bring you a bottle or 2 and a few snacks for FREE in the Ubud area. Happy weekend!