For the unvitiated, “wine pairing” probably means a buy 1-get 1 free deal at the local booze shop. But if you’ve always wanted to know which red, white or rosé to match with a scrumptious meal, head down to Wine Depot on Thursday evenings.
Starting tonight (April 27), the Bangkok Soi 22 bistro is launching a specially priced menu of tasty tapas and will suggest the perfect wine to pair it with. And it’s a great deal, with the tapas and bruschetta priced at just 90 baht from 6-8 p.m.
Wine Depot began life a few years ago as just a wine shop. It’s managing partner has a long career in the wine import and distribution business and built a collection of more than 140 labels from around the world. Wine, of course, is ridiculously priced in Thailand, relative to the rest of the world, due to excessive import taxes. But Wine Depot has pulled off the near-impossible feat of filling its shelves with vintages from France, Italy, Spain, Central and South America, the U.S. and Oceania that are premium, yet affordable, good values.
Wine Depot eventually expanded beyond simple wine sales to open a European bistro featuring a menu of French, Italian and pan-European dishes, plus excellent Thai food. as well. The dessert menu also is to die for.
One of Wine Depot’s specialties is tapas and bruschetta. Every Monday night, in fact, all tapas and bruschetta are 50% off from 4-8 p.m.
But it’s on Thursday where you can sample some brand-new tapas and wines.
Red wine lovers can grab a 99-baht Paris ham and Emmental cheese bruschetta and pair it with a glass of 2018 La Petite Lune Bordeaux for just 320 baht. For something lighter, enjoy a 99-baht Saucisson salami with Dijon mustard bruschetta and a glass of Stoneweaver Marlborough, an organic 2020 pinot noir from New Zealand.
Or, for something truly special, savour Wine Depot’s traditional tomato basil bruschetta for 99-baht with a 2016 Berardo Classico Riserva chianti from Tuscany for 360 baht a glass.
Like white wine? Start your night with an avocado and prawn bruschetta for 99 baht and pair it with a Trinity Hawke’s Bay sauvignon blanc for 280 baht. Or, how about a 99-baht smoked salmon bruschetta and a glass of 2021 Brocard Bourgogne Aligote chardonnay for 320 baht?
You can also spice things up with a Thai-style spicy larb salmon bruschetta (99 baht) with a zesty Clair de Rose les Jamelles Languedoc rosé for 260 baht.
Finally, for something completely different. Order a set of three Fine de Claire N4 oysters for 99-baht when paired with a glass of Italian Bottega Prosecco Brut for 240 baht.
Wine Depot Promotions Daily
The Monday and Thursday tapas promotions are only two of the great deals available all week at Wine Depot, which has come back strong after the pandemic with deals every day.
- Tuesday Night is Ladies Wine Night with buy 1-get 1 free wine and Prosecco for all the ladies from 6-10 p.m.
- Saturdays offer BOGO pints of Chang and Asahi draft beer from 4-8 p.m.
- Sundays it’s pizza! All pizzas are 50% off from 4-8 p.m.
- And Every Day is happy hour from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with big discounts on house wine, sangria, aperol and draft beer.
Finally, you can dine on gourmet bistro fare at crazy prices every day for lunch and dinner.
- The Bistro Set Lunch from 11:30-2:30 p.m. offers a starter, main and dessert for as little as 390 baht.
- The Bistro Set Dinner from 5:30-7:30 p.m. features a starter of your choice and luscious main course for just 790 baht.
In every case, the price you see is the price you pay. There’s none of that plus-plus nonsense at Wine Depot.
Wine Depot is located on Soi 22 opposite the Marriott hotel. You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.