Lim is a WSET Level 3 certified expert (Photo: Low Yen Yeing/The Edge Malaysia)
Options: Southern Cellars was established in 2022. Tell us more about your journey, which has taken you from biochemistry studies to banking and, now, the wine industry.
Scott Lim: After finishing university, I worked in a laboratory for a short while but got bored because of the same routine, day in, day out. Next, I went into finance and found it monotonous for the same reason. I then realised I’m the sort of person who always needs to be on the go, trying and experimenting. The wine world is complex, always offering new things to discover and try … fitting in perfectly with my personality. Actually, my ex-girlfriend brought me to my first tasting, and it was her love of wine and the Australian wine culture that inspired me to delve into it. I attended classes, did some wine exams (I am a WSET Level 3 certified expert) and did a lot of drinking. Now, I cannot get enough of it.
What was your childhood ambition, though?
A businessman of some sort, I suppose. I remember wanting to be like my dad and grandparents, who grew large construction companies and made big money. I certainly never thought I’d end up in F&B, although I have chalked up experience working for a company called Cloud Kitchens, a ghost kitchen set-up that got me talking to many restaurant owners which, in turn, inspired me to teach about and sell wine.
What did the world of banking and finance teach you that is helping you in your new venture now?
I can tell you it has truly helped me with budgeting and the sales side of things. My experience with financial advisory also got me connecting with people on a more personal level. Human interaction is as important as the wine you are drinking, and the conversations you start and the people you exchange them with make memories that really stick.
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Tell us about the Great Southern. It is definitely still under the radar for Malaysian imbibers.
Without a doubt, the Great Southern is a hidden gem of the wine world. Located on the south coast of Western Australia, it is largely divided into five nominated sub-regions. They have the oldest soils in the world and produce a variety of excellent-tasting wines! Their wines are unique, ranging from whites with high minerality to cooler climate Shirazes. It is so diverse and unique, while a drive down there reveals a landscape like no other. I am an ambassador for the region and highly recommend visiting some cellar doors.
Tell us also about Southern Cellars, your two-year-old venture.
Its establishment stems from my profound appreciation for the Great Southern region and its name is based on the fact that all my wines come from the Southern Hemisphere. My goal is simply to help people cultivate a love for wine while shining a spotlight on the exceptional quality and character of wines beyond merely the big-name producers. I am also the official Malaysian delegate for the Western Australian wine trade mission and it’s also about helping others on a journey to discover the exquisite and often undiscovered treasures of Aussie wine.
What are some of your favourite food and wine pairings?
It would have to be Chinese food and red wine. You have so many different options to choose from and play around with. Chinese cuisine can run the gamut, from clean and light to rich and heavy flavours. I also love Roquefort cheese with Sauternes. You can’t really go wrong with sweet wine and cheese pairings. If I had to choose my ultimates, it would be hard — and unfair — to single out a few specifics, but I currently love really dry Rieslings from the Great Southern region. It’s impossible to go wrong with it, especially on a hot day. Oh, I also must add how each and every wine I sell qualifies as a top drop already.
You’ve just hosted a series of tastings with Dr Steve Hall, founder of Rockcliffe Wines, in Kuala Lumpur, your first event in Malaysia. Tell us about it.
I consider both Australia and Malaysia home, and I have many friends and family members here with whom I want to share my wine experiences. You also can’t beat KL for its sheer diversity when it comes to food. The potential is limitless for food and wine pairings in Malaysia. Also, both countries are not that far apart and I believe many Malaysians would want to visit the Great Southern’s amazing wineries based on our recommendations.
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What are you reading right now?
I am a huge anime nerd and love good non-fiction and romance stories. Right now, I am reading a manga called Dan Da Dan. I also periodically follow One Piece. I read manga primarily for its entertaining storylines.
What are you listening to right now?
I listen to a lot of John Mayer. I love singing and playing the guitar and even doing covers! His music is quite chill and I like the meaning behind a lot of his songs.
Describe your idea of a perfect weekend.
It would invariably involve drinking wine and playing pickleball. It doesn’t get better than that. I also don’t get to ski as often as I’d like but I can imagine another perfect weekend would include hitting powder snow on the slopes and then coming down the mountain to relax and thaw over sips of sweet wine. Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan, is my absolute favourite.
This article first appeared on Dec 23, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
