Wine in Dubai - 110326

Overview Video—

Dubai Is a Vacation/Business Destination, But No Wine Hub—

Is Dubai a City?

Yes, but it is also an emirate—one of seven that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Like all emirates, it has significant autonomy within a larger federal structure. Two emirates—Dubai and Abu Dhabi—exercise most autonomy. Traditionally, the President of the UAE has been the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

What Wines are Popular?

According to Artificial Intelligence (and backed exactly by speaking to a host at Byron Bathers Beach Club in Palm Jumeirah), the most popular wines in Dubai are:

• Rosé (Provence or Provence-style)
• Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or Australia
• Pinot Grigio from Italy
• Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Malbec red wines from Austraila and Chile
• Champagne/Prosecco from France and Italy

Where to Drink/Obtain?

Alcoholic beverages are not available for purchase in supermarkets in Dubai or other emirates. In all emirates (with the exception of Sharjah, which bans alcohol completely) you need to obtain an alcohol license to purchase takeaway alcohol from specified outlets. However, you can enter bars, restaurants and beach clubs to drink, or you can buy bottles to take away from the sizable Duty-Free section of the Dubai airport when you arrive.

Prices—

Wine is not inexpensive. At a beach bar on Palm Jumeirah (a neighborhood with a permanent population of about 25,000 residents) a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from Australia costs about $75. Truthfully—that which I tasted was mediocre. I bought some New Zealand Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Argentinian Catena Zapata Malbec at the airport's Duty Free on entry, and while not being inexpensive, both bottles had a better quality/price ratio than wine from local bars.

Intriguing Quirk—

I lived and worked in Dubai (with an international civil engineering company named Parsons) for 15 months in 1996 and 1997. The population was then three quarters of a million people. Today, it is 4.8 million, which means it increased 535% in 30 years.

The neighborhood where I stayed during this most recent trip—named Palm Jumeirah—did not exist back then. The iconic Burj al Arab Hotel, which is now located about midway along the city's 72 kilometer (45 mile) coastline, was being built far outside of the city when I lived there—which mystified residents (including myself) who were unaware of the city's long term planning.

Free Recipe from The Winemakers' Cooking Companion Cookbook

My cookbook titled The Winemakers' Cooking Companion was compiled over a ten year period. It includes 108 recipes from 18 countries—contributed by winemakers, winery chefs and winery owners. The book launch dinner took place on September 16th in my village in southern France. There will also be another book launch event at the Green Cat art gallery, in Caunes-Minervois, in December.

Recipe—

Below is a free recipe from my cookbook for clear beef broth from a winery in Austria. This is splendid fare as we coast into the chillier side of Autumn.

Past Forbes Articles—Tuscan Winery Road Trip

Click below to read the first part of a three part series of articles I wrote for Forbes a few years ago. It details a road trip that I took through the wine country of Tuscany in Italy in a Fiat 500—together with Tuscan winemaker Paola De Blasi of Beba wines. (The online version of the original article is here.) In this first part— where we visit Montalcino and Chianti Classico—Baron Francesco Ricasoli tells how his family's magnificent Brolio Castle in Chianti was saved from being shelled during the Second World War.

Sign Up—Free Newsletters, Recipes, Videos—

Signing up to this Vino Voices site is free, and there is no obligation. You can unsubscribe anytime. Free weekly or biweekly newsletters will include information about food, wine, travel and books, as well as access to free recipes, video commentaries, and links to over 400 articles I wrote for Forbes during the past decade.

This is also an opportunity to join a community with others who share similar interests.

You can sign up using the box below. I will also send you a copy of my e-book titled Vino Voices: Wine, Work, Travel, Life. This e-book has just been republished. Hardback and paperback editions will also be available this summer. It is 230 pages long and includes interviews, made in a dozen countries, with more than 45 professionals working in the world of wine. They explain why they love their work. The book includes more than 100 photographs.

What's Next In Vino Voices—

I'll soon feature:

• Wines in Malibu, California
• Texas wine on the upswing

Thanks for tuning in!

Follow me on Instagram at @tjlmullen or at @VinoVoices.