Red Mountain, owned by a Myanmar businessman, sells its wine predominantly at the country’s tourist hot spots like Yangon, Mandalay and the ancient temple complex of Bagan.
But rival Aythaya’s vineyard and restaurant is close to the bustling Shan state capital Taunggyi where the majority of custom is from locals, including wealthy businessmen.
The long-term nature of the business — the number of bottles produced depends on crops planted several years before — means that even if tourism soars, it will take years before it flows through into production.
But is the wine good?
Gastin tested the Red Mountain range at a tropical wine symposium last year and was “pretty impressed”.
“I was quite shocked about the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, I thought they were really very very good,” he said.
At Red Mountain, Swiss vineyard owner Serge Heymoz — who was visiting the estate while on holiday — also gave the wine the seal of approval.
“It is very interesting indeed, but let’s be clear — interesting in a good way,” he said.
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