California Wines celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris and its Golden State of Mind

California Wine Institute (CWI) is delighted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Judgment of Paris - the tasting that changed wine forever in tis year. To honor the 50-year legacy and to celebrate California wines, CWI will hosts a series of events that will take place in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Macau.

In 1976, British wine merchant Steven Spurrier organized a blind tasting in Paris with results that shocked the wine establishment: California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon outscored highly regarded French wines, proving that excellence comes not only from heritage but from bold vision and open minds. The results astonished the wine world as California wines triumphed, establishing California as a world-class wine producing region. The spirit of the historic event continues to define and shape modern day California - pioneering, innovative, diverse, and bold, which is exemplary of California wines’ ‘Golden State of Mind’.

“2026 is a landmark year for California wines for us,” says Christopher Beros, CWI Director for Greater China & Southeast Asia. "The 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris isn't just about celebrating a historic victory—it's about showcasing how California has continued to lead the world in quality, innovation, and sustainability. The values and spirits that shaped the Judgment of Paris and define California wines continue to drive California winemakers today, from pioneering new winemaking techniques to being at the forefront of sustainability efforts.”

Christopher Beros, CWI Director for Greater China & Southeast Asia

The Kuala Lumpur event was held at the Pool House @ Grand Hyatt in Kuala Lumpur on June 19, 2026, with over 60 honorable trade and media guests attended. The celebratory event featured a special screening of a short documentary on the Judgment of Paris, and showcased wines from wineries that participated in the Judgment of Paris 50 years ago. In addition, a curation of wines that are representative of modern day California.

Panasonic Malaysia Debuts New Integrated Smart Living & AI Surveillance Solutions for Malaysia

Panasonic Malaysia announced the official launch of two major next-generation solution ecosystems for the Malaysian market — the Panasonic S.iCITY Smart Living Solution and the Panasonic AI Smart Surveillance Ecosystem — reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering integrated technologies that elevate Safety. Convenience. Comfort on 23 Jun 2026.

Designed for commercial developments, residential projects, government infrastructure, educational institutions, and smart city applications, the new solutions go beyond traditional product-based offerings by delivering a fully connected ecosystem that integrates smart living, intelligent security, energy efficiency, and sustainable lifestyle technologies into one seamless experience.

From (L-R): Seelan Kandasamy, Associate Director, System Solutions & Strategic B2B, Panasonic Malaysia and Jiang Fuwei (姜福伟), Director of Platform Center, Panasonic Appliances R&D Center Singapore, at the launch of Panasonic S.iCITY Smart Living Solution and Panasonic AI Smart Surveillance Ecosystem.

The launch reflects Panasonic Malaysia’s strategic direction toward solution-driven innovation that supports Malaysia’s accelerating digital transformation and growing demand for safer, greener, and more connected environments.

A Complete Smart Living Ecosystem For Modern Communities

At the heart of the launch is the Panasonic S.iCITY Smart Living Solution, a comprehensive smart home ecosystem developed to support current and future-ready residential developments.

Powered by Zigbee 3.0 and Wi-Fi hybrid architecture, the Smart Home ecosystem enables users to manage lighting, motorised curtains, air conditioning, appliances, smart locks, gas safety sensors, and other connected devices through a single mobile application.

Panasonic S.iCITY Smart Living Solution and Panasonic AI Smart Surveillance Ecosystem launch.

Rather than focusing on individual devices, Panasonic Malaysia positions it’s Smart Home as a holistic smart living platform designed to enhance daily lifestyle experiences while improving operational efficiency, resident safety, and long-term sustainability for developers and building owners.

The solution supports:

• Centralised smart living management
• Intelligent automation and scene control
• Smart access and visitor management
• Gas leakage and safety monitoring
• Voice assistant integration
• Future energy monitoring capabilities

With automation scenes selection such as “Good Night”, “Away Mode”, and “Movie Mode”, the platform delivers intuitive convenience while helping users reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

Lavazza and aura+ Pop Up 2026 at Mid Valley Megamall, KL

Coffee lovers, this one’s for you. You are all invited to embark on a unique Italian coffee journey as Lavazza, in collaboration with aura+ at the Lavazza Pop Up Shop at Mid Valley Megamall KL, Centre Court, Ground Floor.

From 22 to 28 June 2026, this week-long activation brings together authentic Italian coffee culture and modern lifestyle innovation.

The VIP launch event held on 24 June 2026 was graced by distinguished guests and partners, including representatives from Lavazza Asia, AEON Retail Malaysia, the Embassy of Italy, the Italian Chamber of Commerce, Dankoff Coffee Specialist, AIT Fine Food, members of the media, and content creators. The event was officiated by Mr. Philip Ng, Sales Director of Lavazza Asia, and marked the official launch of Lavazza's latest capsule collection, Tales of Italy Roma and Tales of Italy Napoli.

The launch also highlights the collaboration between Lavazza and the aura+ Java One Capsule Coffee Machine, bringing together world-class Italian coffee and contemporary lifestyle technology. Visitors can enjoy an exclusive promotional bundle priced at RM499 (RRP RM907), which includes the aura+ Java One Espresso Coffee Machine and 8 boxes of Lavazza capsules. The best part? You can use my special code to enjoy 10% discount on top of the promo price! You just need to pay RM449.10 only by using my special code "LAVRANE"! So, would you grab the aura+ Java One Capsule Coffee Machine in black or white color? ;)

A Hidden Gem in Pavilion KL for Anyone Who Loves Unique Watches

Some discoveries are worth keeping to yourself. Others deserve to be shared.

Tucked away on Level 5 of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Red Army Watches feels like one of those places watch enthusiasts quietly recommend to friends who appreciate something a little different. Away from the familiar names and mainstream luxury boutiques, this space is dedicated to independent and microbrand watches — a refreshing find for anyone who enjoys great design, interesting stories, and exceptional craftsmanship.

Located at Lot L5.08.02, the boutique catches the eye with a clean, contemporary feel storefront. Step inside and the atmosphere becomes even more inviting. Warm lighting, thoughtfully curated displays, and sleek watch showcases create a space that feels more like a modern gallery than a traditional watch store.

There’s something satisfying about slowing down and taking in each piece. The watches aren’t simply arranged on shelves — every display invites closer inspection. Textured dials, unusual case shapes, and creative design details reveal themselves the longer you look. It’s easy to spend time browsing, discovering brands you may have only seen online, or perhaps have never encountered before.

One of the highlights is SEVENFRIDAY, known for its industrial-inspired aesthetics and bold personality. Nearby, Baltic offers a completely different appeal, blending vintage charm with contemporary refinement. For those who appreciate creativity and innovation, CIGA Design showcases award-winning pieces that blur the line between watchmaking and art. Meanwhile, Italian brand UNIMATIC brings minimalist tool-watch styling that feels effortlessly cool.

Generali Malaysia Launches New Protection Plan for Underserved Families

Generali Malaysia, in collaboration with Amanah Raya Berhad (“AmanahRaya”), Malaysia’s Only Public Trustee, have launched Gen Sinar, an affordable personal accident insurance plan tailored to empower underserved families with financial protection. The plan aims to ensure continuity of children’s education in the event of accidental death and permanent disability of the breadwinner.

Organised by Generali Malaysia, the launch event was held at Kompleks Komuniti Muhibbah, and attended by AmanahRaya, representative from the Embassy of Italy in Malaysia, PIAM, UNDP partners, non-governmental organisations, community leaders, members of the media and local residents on 18 Jun 2026.

Left - Jack Yap Ngee Heong, Acting Group Managing Director and Group Chief Business & Operating Officer of Amanah Raya Berhad.

Right - Fabrice Benard, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad.

Gen Sinar was designed in response to insights gathered from underserved communities, who are deeply committed to seeing their children excel in education and achieve a brighter future. While meeting daily essential needs remains their immediate priority, many households, particularly those relying on a single breadwinner’s income, also carry concerns about long-term security and the potential impact of unforeseen circumstances affecting their livelihoods.

Across Malaysia, many underserved households remain significantly under protected, with limited access to adequate financial protection. This critical protection gap leaves families highly vulnerable to financial shocks that can disrupt children’s education and perpetuate cycles of hardship. Recognising these challenges, Gen Sinar helps to bridge this gap by safeguarding education continuity and building greater resilience for the future.

“Gen Sinar is more than just an insurance plan, it is a purpose-driven social protection initiative built on a non-profit model. We share the aspiration of the community and believe that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. By making protection accessible to underserved families, we aim to ensure that children can continue their education even in the most difficult circumstances.” said Fabrice Benard, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad.

Cherish The Father Figures in Your Life with Memorable Moments and Celebrations at Lexis Hotels & Resorts

This Father’s Day and throughout the month of June, Lexis Hotel Group invites families to celebrate the fathers and father figures who have made a lasting impact on their lives with a series of specially curated dining experiences, wellness indulgences and family-friendly activities across its award-winning properties in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Port Dickson.

Whether treating Dad to a lavish buffet, an elevated Japanese dining experience, a rejuvenating spa retreat or an outdoor family adventure by the sea, guests can create meaningful moments and unforgettable memories while enjoying the signature hospitality that Lexis Hotel Group is known for.

Indulge Dad with Elevated Dining Experiences at Imperial Lexis Kuala Lumpur

In the heart of the capital, Imperial Lexis Kuala Lumpur presents “A Dad-lightful Tribute to Dad” , a special Father’s Day High Tea Buffet at Roselle Coffee House on 21 June 2026 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Designed to bring families together, the afternoon celebration features an indulgent selection of culinary delights, a specially curated welcome drink, engaging family-friendly activities and exciting surprises for fathers, creating the perfect setting to honour Dad in style. The high tea buffet is priced at RM168 nett per adult, RM118 nett per senior citizen aged 60 and above, and RM68 nett per child aged seven to 12 years.

For a more refined dining experience, UMI Japanese Restaurant presents the “UMI Daddy Delight” six-course dining experience from 19 to 21 June 2026, available from 6.00pm to 11.00pm. Featuring contemporary Japanese fusion cuisine paired with breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline, the experience is priced at RM250 nett per person and includes a handcrafted cocktail or mocktail, along with an exclusive artisanal treat for fathers.

Raise a Glass this June

Extending the celebrations beyond Father’s Day, Imperial Lexis Kuala Lumpur will host an exclusive Jameson Guest Shift at Satellite Restaurant & Bar on 26 June 2026 from 8pm until midnight. The rooftop event will feature Cliona O’Donnell, Jameson Brand Ambassador for Malaysia, serving signature Jameson cocktails against a vibrant city backdrop. Look forward to an unforgettable evening overlooking Kuala Lumpur’s iconic skyline, with featured cocktails, which are available from RM42 nett.

For reservations and enquiries regarding Imperial Lexis Kuala Lumpur’s Father’s Day dining experiences, WhatsApp +6010 784 0176, or email eat@imperiallexislkl.com

Celebrate Dad Over a Heartwarming Feast at Lexis Suites Penang

Families looking for a memorable Father’s Day dining experience in Penang can gather at Roselle Coffee House in Lexis Suites Penang for a special Father’s Day Buffet Dinner on 20 June 2026 from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Thoughtfully crafted to celebrate gratitude, togetherness, and appreciation, the buffet features an extensive spread of comforting local favourites and international delights, perfect for bringing loved ones together around the table.