Upcoming Wine Discovery Weekend 2016

Ewineasia is holding the third edition of what’s becoming an annual affair of it’s Wine Discovery Weekend. I had the opportunity to attend the preview and here’s a snapshot on the upcoming activities lined up for local wine enthusiasts.

 

The theme this time is “Discovering The Exceptional Less-Explored”. The plan is for enthusiasts to try wines a little less common, a little beyond the mainstream range. Activities will be held over 3 days (15, 16 and 17 Oct 2016). There’s 3 wine masterclasses, 2 wine dinners, 1 wine brunch and a walkabout tasting arranged to cater to your varied inclinations.

The Walkabout Tasting is on 15th Oct, held at APS Lifestyle Gallery. There’s more than 100 wine labels from over 40 wineries lined up for this event. 18 winemakers and winery representatives are attending this tasting to share with enthusiasts their wines and experiences. Paolo de Marchi from Tuscany (Italy), Celler Pinol from Terra Alta (Spain), Lis Neris from Friuli (Italy) and Agusti Torello Mata from Penedes (Spain) are a few of the representatives you can expect to see during this event.

The topics for the  3 masterclasses look interesting. They are:
a. Pinot Grigio of Friuli and its Rare Back Vintages
b. The Rise of Organic & Biodynamic Wines
c. Fine Wines of Espana

One doesn't often get the opportunity to try back vintages of Pinot Grigio. One question which may be going through your mind is whether Pinot Grigio holds the virtues and potential to warrant keeping and aging. Vintages of Lis Neris Gris 2013, 2011, 2009 and 2007 are lined up for tasting during this masterclass. Now you’ve got an opportunity to find out for yourself. These masterclasses (which comes complimentary) are held during the Walkabout Tasting.

Then there’s the wine meal experiences:
a. Wine Discovery Dinner at Shisen Hanten on 15 Oct
b. Vino Espanol Discovery Brunch at Cherry Garden on 16 Oct
c. Latin World Wine Discovery Dinner at W Hotel on 17 Oct

More additional info, you can visit the following link: Wine Discovery Weekend 2016

The Great Southern Wine Event in Singapore

The Great Southern Wine Producers came to town recently to meet up with local wine enthusiasts. One of their aim was to share with wine consumers here information on their wine zone, sub-regions and the type of wines they produce.

A handful of wine producers from this region participated in the Masterclass, Dinner and Walkabout Tasting held in conjuction with this awareness exercise. The Wine Review acted as the local organizer and hosted these wine events in Singapore.

It’s a timely reminder of this region, as local wine folks here by and large look towards Swan Valley and Margaret River wine regions for their purchase of Western Australian wines. Even during casual discussions on cool climate wine regions in Australia, the Great Southern wine region seldom gets readily mentioned. At times a little effort from wine associations and stakeholders go a long way to educate and expose wine consumers to wine regions less heard of. In this context, the efforts of the Great Southern Producers Association needs to be appreciated.

Masterclass for Media & Sommeliers

The masterclass was held at Yan Restaurant (National Gallery of Singapore). Ch'ng Poh Tiong and Tan Ying Hsien, MW moderated this tasting session. Over 2 flights, participants were given the opportunity to taste Rieslings and Pinot Noirs to better understand the style of wines produced in the Great Southern region.

The wines presented were:
Flight 1
Rising Star Riesling 2014
Rockcliffe Single Site Riesling 2015
3drops Riesling 2015
Plantagenet House of Plantagenet Riesling 2015
La Violetta Das Sakrileg Riesling 2015
Frankland Estate Poison Hill Riesling 2015
Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling 2015

Flight 2
Plantagenet Omrah Pinot Noir 2013
Rockcliffe Third Reef Pinot Noir 2015
La Violetta Ye Ye Rouge Pinot Noir 2015
3drops Pinot Noir 2015
Rockcliffe Single Site Pinot Noir 2015
Wignalls Pinot Noir 2014

Daisuke Shibuya

Unlike the warm-hot wine regions in Australia, The Great Southern offers the coolest wine growing region in Western Australia. The grapes get the opportunity ripen slowly, gain physical and phenolic ripeness, while at the same time retain good acidity to provide a fresh, vibrant sip. The wines therefore weren’t bold, concentrated or rich in character. They were, as one would expect, more the cool climate style displaying a degree of restraint and offered a delicate personality.

They highlighted more the purity of fruits in fresh, lively, light-plus to medium bodied sips. Rieslings from this region by and large highlighted minerality and citrus notes, with the occasional white flower blossom aroma. Pinot Noirs were notable for their youthful body with fresh red berry notes and lively acidity which offered a feel of vibrancy in one’s palate.

More pictures of this Masterclass can be viewed via this link: Masterclass Photos

The Great Southern Walkabout Tasting for Public and Professionals

This tasting was held at Salon by the Pool (Conrad Hotel) on 27 Aug.

 

 Seven wine producers from The Great Southern showcased their wines. They were:
3drops
Frankland Estate
La Violetta
Plantagenet Wines
Rockcliffe
Rising Star
Wignalls Wines

Both public and wine professionals attended this casual walkabout tasting which offered participants the opportunity to interact with wine producers directly and taste their wines.

Apart from Rieslings and Pinot Noirs introduced during the Masterclass, there were wines made from Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet blends as well. The Sparkling Chardonnay and Rose from the Rising Star winery and the Rose from 3drops proved delightful distractions from the still reds and whites tasted during this event.

Paul Hyatt of Rising Star with Jessica Tan

Joanne Bradbury of 3drops

More pictures of the Walkabout Tasting can be viewed via this link: Walkabout Tasting photos

A Retail Outlet on Organic Wines in Singapore

This entry is for wine enthusiasts in Singapore keen on buying organic wines.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a masterclass on organic wines. It was organized by Mahota Commune and conducted by Lim Hwee Peng. Pictures of this event can be viewed via this link:

Photo Album on Masterclass

This class was held at this Commune's new place of operation at Kitchener Complex, Level 3, 809 French Road, Singapore 200809. It occupies a fairly large place from which it retails groceries, operates a bakery and offers multi concept eatries all focusing on organic products.

In line with this ‘organic theme’ it has also included a wine retail outlet focusing on organic wines. Wines have been sourced from various local wine merchants, thus making it easy for consumers to visit a 'one-stop' place to buy organic wines originating from different countries (and in the hands of different local wine merchants).

Alick Too

Alick Too, a well known figure in the local wine industry, is presently in-charge of wine retail operation here. He explained that the shop currently carries around 66 labels with wines from Australia, France Italy and USA. It retails different types of organic wines too (sparkling, rose, white and red).

After the masterclass, participants were invited for a tasting of several organic wines under its current wine portfolio. One unique inclusion during this tasting was the 2014 Mahota Winery Merlot Cabernet, Penglai (China). It’s a wine produced by this Commune’s own winery located in China.

Current operation hours are from 9am to 10pm. If you are keen on things organic, this will certainly be a place for you to visit.

When at Singapore Wine Fiesta 2012

This weekend I went along with a few friends and visited the Singapore Wine Fiesta 2012 held at Customs House. Slated as the largest wine event for the general public in Singapore, it certainly pulled in a good crowd.

The tasting guide highlighted ‘65 cabins’ (wineries), each offering their liquid wares for tasting and sales. I took the opportunity to take pictures of this event. The pictures include participating winemakers, winery owners, wines and folks in general enjoying their weekend at this tasting. You can have a look at the pictures via this link; Singapore Wine Fiesta 2012 photo album.

Suffice to say, this event had the strong support and eager participation of a good number of wine enthusiasts. The first 3 hours of each day provided some quiet moments to talk to winemakers and winery reps. But by the later part of each day's tasting, the place was challengingly packed. If the aim of the organizer is to introduce wines in their portfolio to wine consumers in Singapore, then that goal would have been satisfactorily met with the number of people who attended this event.

The visitors by and large seem to loosely fall within three categories in their pursuit for wine over this weekend.

The brand seekers. Three oft mentioned wine brands during this event were Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley, Australia), Leeuwin Estate (Margaret River, Australia) and Mischief and Mayhem (Burgundy). I met wine folks who during conversation mentioned that their friends have advised them to look for these labels and to try wines from these wineries without fail. These wineries, having over the years built a degree of recognition for quality in the minds of consumers, tend to find ready enthusiasts keen to taste their wines.

The sweet sippers. Tables having sweet wines also found eager wine enthusiasts waiting to sip some the sweet nectar. Villa M wines (served at cabin 34) saw a constant demand for its 2 wines; Bianco Moscato NV and Rosso Brachetto NV. The young man serving these wines was certainly kept busy.

Another popular table was Cabin 46 where the Hungarian Tokaj-Disznoko 2009 Late Harvest Furmint and 2002 Aszu 5 Puttonyos Tokaji were served. This table was so popular that the sweet wines ran out in a few hours leaving a fair bit of disappointed consumers who came for the event later in the evening.

Max Ferdinand Richter (cabin 44) and Schloss Schonborn (cabin 45) showcased rieslings among which the Kabinetts and Spatlese ones offered sweet respite. Delas wines (cabin 24) had a 2009 Muscat de Beaumes De Venise which had enthusiasts bringing their friends to the table to try. Two unique sweet portions came in the form of Rubis (cabin 48) which offered a ‘chocolate wine’ and Bibich winery’s (cabin 47) Ambra Prosek NV, a dessert wine made from white varietals known as Debit and Marastina.

The explorers. A small group of wine folks were eager to sip wines from less known wine regions (at least less known in the local market that is). Towards this end they made their way to Japan’s Grace Wines (cabin 22). These wines made with Koshu grapes attracted quite a bit of interest. Lebanon’s Chateau Kefraya wines (from Bekaa valley) and Croatian wines from Bibich (North Dalmatia), Boskinac (Pag island), Coronica (Istria), Korta Katarina (Orebic) and Meneghetti (Stanija) were the other labels sought by folks who wanted to taste wines made from not-so-known varietals and regions.

The atmosphere was certainly different from the sombre, seated wine tastings conducted in hotels or when one is at trade wine fairs :p And I think its alright to have these occasional big wine fairs where exuberant folks explore wine in an informal setting in the company of friends. Who says wine must be a straight-laced, serious affair? :p The price for the event, being reasonable for the number of wines offered for tasting, may be one reason for the strong turnout. 

The current choice of location for the event has positive points like being centrally located and with easy transport links. The one consideration for future events though may be if this place can comfortably accommodate a turnout bigger than the one witnessed this weekend ... but the event organizer has a whole year to ponder over such an issue :)

Official Opening of Wine Universe in Singapore

Wine Universe recently held its official launch. On 28 march 2012 a crowd of over 60 well wishers, guests and wine professionals gathered at this new wine retail outlet, located at #01-107 Millenia Walk, S(039596), to witness and celebrate its official opening.

The Swiss Ambassador for Singapore, Mr Jorg Reding, was the guest of honour and took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony together with this venture’s owners, Mr Dominique Giroud and Mr Claude Dizerens. I had the opportunity to meet Mr Giroud earlier in the afternoon during the Media tasting session to get to know a little bit more about the people behind this operation.

Mr Giroud himself is a 5th generation Swiss vintner who wanted to do something more than produce Swiss wines. He began to expand his interest by setting up a wine retail outlet and a wine bar in Lausanne. The success of these ventures prompted him to set up a restaurant, Oenotheque by Wine Universe, in Singapore. Oenotheque’s wine cellar stocked a good range of wines from Europe as well as others from new world wine regions. The success of this cellar prompted him to expand his operation in Singapore by setting up a full-fledged wine retail outlet to cater to growing demand and better serve local consumers.

The local operation comes under the charge of Mr Claude Dizerens (managing director and co-owner of the local ventures). Day to day operation of this new retail outlet comes under the care of wine manager, Mr Axel Paquette. Ms Carina Ferreira is the latest addition to this team and she takes charge of sales and marketing.

Needless to say, the guests for the evening were indulged with Giroud’s range of wines and bites prepared from Oenotheque. It was a good crowd and the shop was over flowing with well wishers for the evening. I took the opportunity to take some pictures during this launch and have uploaded them into this blog’s facebook page. The pictures make it easy to show what went on and who were there :)

You can view the pictures via this link: Wine Universe photo album. 

... morgun pathi
 

Open House at Rubicon Reserve Wines

A unique wine sale at Rubicon Reserve Wines. I attended Rubicon Reserve Wines' Open House sale on 24 mar 2012. Wines on sale were tagged with one of 5 coloured stickers and sold at either $5, $10, $15, $20 or $25 a bottle. Purchase decisions become a little easy I guess at such bargain prices and easy to remember denominations :p

No need to refer to a price list each time you stand in front of a new label; just look at the colour of the sticker on a bottle and its easy to know the price. Wines sold were mainly from Italy, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and Chile.

Price does seem to matter to consumers. The sale started at 1pm and by the time I dropped by the place (at 1.30pm) wines sold at $5 and $10 were all snapped up! However even at $15/bottle onwards, there was a good range of bubblies, whites and reds on offer. Wines put up for sale were offered for tasting as well, which gave consumers an opportunity to sample wines prior to deciding on a purchase.

At the $25/bottle category there were some good deals to be found. Labels like 2003 Guerrieri Rizzardi ‘Villa Rizzardi’ Amarone della Valpolicella (Italy), 2009 Misha’s Vineyard The Gallery Gewurztraminer (NZ) and 2008 Misha’s Vineyard The High Note Pinot Noir (NZ) were snapped up in double quick time.

I had the opportunity to speak to a few of the fellow customers while waiting for some friends to drop by. Some came to buy wines for informal gatherings with friends; they were looking for something easy to drink and those which wont hurt their pocket.  A couple wanted easy quenchers as they drink wine daily. A friend of mine who swung by for this session was looking for wines to cook with as well.

If you like to be notified of future tastings and sales at Rubicon Reserve Wines, just join its Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/rubicon.reservewines.

When at Wine Fiesta 2011 (at Customs House)

Early part of Saturday afternoon I swung by Wine Fiesta. This wine event was organized by The Straits Wine Company at the Customs House. My timing was thankfully good, I escaped the soon-to-come drizzle. Other guests were just trickling in, providing an opportunity to do some tasting at a leisurely pace and talk to the winemakers present.

Despite the afternoon rain, the crowd began gathering in earnest by 5pm. Evening saw the place 'packed, swinging and alife’. The atmosphere was certainly different from the quiet, contemplative and serious group of wine enthusiasts I get to encounter at other tastings :p

The guests were intent to relax, enjoy, taste, drink and have a good time with their friends during this weekend; and this they certainly did with great exuberance.

Sips offered for tasting came from Australia, New Zealand, S. Africa, Chile, Argentina, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, India, Spain, Italy and France. Observing the folks, there seem to be a general preference among the younger crowd to taste sparkling wines and wines with are off-dry or sweet (Villa M's bianco moscato and rosso brachetto, the late harvest german wines and Tokaji seem to hold a particular appeal for revisits).

For me personally, I like the excitement of a new or unique find. There were a handful of such wines in this event:

a. Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf Du Pape Rouge 2006. This is unique for its use of all 13 permitted grape varietals in the making of this wine.

b. Provins Valais from Switzerland offered wines from varietals not usually seen in Singapore; 2010 Fendant Swiss Valley, 2007 Petite Arvine Maitre De Chais, 2010 Heida Maitre De Chais and 2009 Cornalin Maitre De Chais.

c. Burgundy's aligote varietal tend to get scant attention and make only the occasional presence at burgundy tastings in Singapore. Domaine Jean Marc Brocard offered a 2010 Aligote for tasting during this event.

d. Champagne Henri Giraud's Ratafia De Champagne N.V. (a vin de liqueur) stood out as a fine example of an 'unsparkling wine' from the Champagne region :p

I must say the staff and crew did a good job. There was an adequate supply of bottled water and plain crackers at each table for those who needed these, the spittoons were regularly cleared and the crew certainly carried themselves in a friendly and an approachable manner. These little things made for a pleasant experience during this event, which was well managed and ran smoothly; a no easy task looking at the strong number of participants in the evening.

All in all it was an event worth attending (and at a decent price too I must add).

Below are a few pictures taken during this event.

.. the crew at work

Rocca delle Macie, Italy

Oddfellows Wines

Bouldevines, NZ

Golding Wines, Australia

K1 by Geoff Hardy, Australia

Dombeya winery, S. Africa

Boekenhoutskloof, S. Africa

Speri, Italy

Cave de Tain, France

La Forge Estate, France

.. as evening draws near