Cellar Seller in Singapore

A little shout out on Cellar Seller’s new moves. Cellar Seller recently moved to Scotts 27, a black and white heritage-colonial bungalow (located a short walk from Newton MRT station). Foodies, especially those into French cuisine, would be familiar with this location as it previously played host to meals crafted by Chef Julien Bompard. Now Mr Gabriele Rizzardi and Ms Sunny Sun (of Cellar Seller) intend to add a different dimension to this place; the wine and whiskey kind.

Cellar Seller is presently focused on serving private clients by sourcing for well aged whiskey and back vintage wines. I recently attended its soft launch and was greeted with the sight of well known back vintage French wines and whiskies. To cater to local enthusiasts who drop by their new location, they have a whiskey room and a wine room to showcase their products as well.

It also intends to expand its operation by building a portfolio of wine labels and marketing its range to F&B outlets in Singapore. Ms Sunny Sun, a well known person in the local wine industry, will be in-charge of this new effort.

The place also has a decent sized dining room (which can cosily accommodate 30 pacs) and tasting rooms as well. Plans are afoot to organise wine tastings and wine dinners at this location in the near future.

If you like to be notified of upcoming events, do drop a line to Ms Sunny at sunny_sun@cellarseller.com.sg. Meanwhile if you need a place in city centre to host a dinner or like to arrange wine tasting events for your colleagues, do contact Ms Sunny; she's keen to assist.

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

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.

Wines of Portugal 2016 (held in Singapore)

As in recent years, the ‘Wines of Portugal’ wine event came to town this year as well. Unlike previous years though, this time round, it’s activities were held over 3 days; and this year's event was locally organized by Sopexa.

You don’t often hear of tailored wine classes or appreciation workshops held in Singapore specifically for Portuguese wines. Knowledge on Portuguese wines is usually acquired by and large by wine professionals and local wine merchants if they opt to pursue locally offered wine courses like WSET, CSW or CMS programs (in which wines from Portugal fare as a component to learn).

The ‘Wines of Portugal’ event therefore stand out as an important avenue for local wine merchants and professionals to get a quick snapshot on the current state of the wine industry in Portugal, meet wine producers and get first hand appreciation of its wines.

I took the opportunity to take pictures of this event; if you are keen on them, you can view them via these links:

Masterclass photo album

Dinner photo album

Grand Tasting photo album

The Masterclass

Edwin Soon, a well respected wine writer and educator in this little Red Dot of ours, was the speaker for the Masterclass. Slightly over 50 participants attended this session which was held at Casuarina Suite in Raffles Hotel. One who has travelled to Portugal before, Edwin shared on his personal experiences as well as information on Portugal in relation to the global wine scene, wine classifications governing Portuguese wines, the climate and terroir of respective wine regions within Portugal and details on notable indigenous grape varietals found in Portugal.

Apart from the well known Vinho Verde, Dao, Alentejo, Duoro and Madiera wine regions; participants had the opportunity to learn about other regions like Peninsula Setubal, Lisboa, Tras os Montes, Tavota-Varosa and Tejo (to name a few) as well.

Eight wines were tasted during this Masterclass:
2015 Aveleda, Quinta da Aveleda Alvarinho E Loureiro
2015 Casa da Passarella, Somontes Colheita Branco
Jose Maria da Fonseca, Two Rivers, Alcohol Free
2013 Vidigal Wines, Porta 6
2013 Casa Agricola Alexandre Relvas, Herdade da Pimenta
2011 Quinta dos Avidagos, Lenuma
2010 JMF, Alambre Moscatel de Setubal
2013 Lemos & Vanzeller, Quinta Vale D. Maria Reserva Lote 13

These wines offered participants some perspective on the different wine styles and characteristics found in wines from different regions of Portugal.

The Dinner

Dinner was held on 13 July at True Blue Cuisine at 49 Armenian Street. Guests comprised of several wine producers, local wine merchants and industry professionals. The theme was Peranakan cuisine paired with Portuguese wines.

Edwin Soon was at hand to talk about early Portuguese presence in South East Asia, the influence of spices on Portuguese cuisine and the development of Peranakan cuisine. A little twist to this dinner was that the wines accompanying each course were served blind. The guests were than invited to try the food with different wines and rate which they preferred as an ideal match. Results were consolidated and the preferred wines received awards of recognition. This exercise offered guests a quick appreciation of how Portuguese wines can be matched with Peranakan cuisine.

The wines served during dinner were:
Mateus Rose Original
2015 Dona Ermelinda (white)
2015 Tapada dos Monges Loureiro (white)
2015 Vinhas Do Lasso, Colheita Selecionada (white)
2013 HO Colheita (red)
2013 Esporao Reserva (red)
2011 Lenuma Limited Edition (red)
2013 Dona Ermelinda Reserva (red)
Blandy’s Bual (5 years old) (Fortified)
Sandeman Porto Tawny (Fortified)

The Grand Tasting

24 wine producers showcased their wines during the Grand tasting (which was held at the Ballroom, Raffles Hotel on 14 July). These producers came from 7 of Portugal’s wine regions: Lisboa (2), Several (6), Alentejo (4), Dao (3), Peninsula de Setubal (1), Porto & Douro (6) and Vinho Verde (2).

Wine producers and winery representatives were at hand to share with local attendees more about their respective wineries and wines. There was a good range of wine styles, single varietals as well as blends offered during this tasting event.

There were ‘easy to drink and ready to consume’ whites with slight effervescence offered by produecrs like Aveleda (Casal Garcia Branco) and Vinhos Norte (Tapada dos Monges Lourero 2015). There was serious sparkling wine as well like the Casa Ermelinda Freitas Espumante Reserva 2011 (barrel fermented, batonnage influenced and barrel aged); it certainly showed noticeable depth, complexity and presence.

Avelada’s Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde 2015 showed more than freshness due to lees aging; and Vinhas Do Lasso, Colheita Selecionada 2015 offered a white wine noticeable for structure and weight.

Both whites and reds by and large came as blends. It showed the wine producers preference to bring together the strengths of different grape varietals to produce their preferred wines.

There were a few exceptions of monovarietal wines though; like Aveleda Alvatindo 2015, Quinta Vale dÁldeia Alvarinho 2015, Horta Osorio Touriga National 2012 and Quinta Das Maias Jaen 2013.

A pleasant discovery among the reds were those from 'old vines'. Here different grape varietals are grown together in a specific plot. Then the grapes are harvested and fermented together to produce a red wine. Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro 2013 (old vines) came from a plot planted with 41 grape varietals. Another example are red wines from Quinta Dos Avidagos which showcased Quinta dos Avidagos Vinhas Velhas 2012 and Qunita dos Avidagos Vinha do Alem Tanha 2013 (both from produced from old vines).

For fortified wines, Casa Ermelinda Freitas Moscatel Roxo de Setubal Superior 2009 and Mouchao's vinho Licoroso 2009 stood out.

Certainly an educational wine event, I must say.

ProWine Asia 2016 and wines from Russia

One discovery during the ProWine Asia 2016 was a booth exhibiting wines from Russia, Kuban-Vino Winery. It carried a good range of wines from sparkling, still whites and reds, to sweet wines under its Chateau Tamagne wine label.

Though sparkling wines from Abrau-Durso (located near lake Abrau) can be found in Singapore in recent years, it’s certainly difficult to get one’s hands on still wines produced from Russia. And not all ‘Russian wines’ are products of the land either. Wines in Russia have been known to be made from bulk wines imported from other wine growing countries (meaning they are imported into Russia, undergo flavour adjustments to suit local palate and get bottled and labelled as wines from Russia for local consumption). Recent years however has witnessed some shift by local undertakings going the way of increasing vine plantings, viticulture and vinification within Russia itself, using local and international grape varietals.

The representative at the booth explained that Kuban-Vino had its origins in 1956. It’s located within the Taman Peninsula, in a village called Starotitrovskaya. Reaching its 60 years of existence, it has over the years grown into one of the larger wineries in Russia, in terms of viticultural land, vinification capacity and range of product offerings. Investments in modern winery equipments imported from abroad and embracing wine production techniques from other countries have resulted in improvements in quality of wine production and aging of wines. At present slightly more than a 100 types of wines are produced for local and overseas consumption under this winery.

Chateau Tamagne wines
 

The Chateau Tamagne wine label is positioned as its premium brand. Different types of wines are produced under this label (including sparkling wines both done in Charmat and Traditional methods). The grapes used for production are grown within the region and the wines are produced by the winery itself (none of the imported bulk wine issues over here).

Chateau Tamagne Reserve Extra Brut Rose
 

At the booth, the Chateau Tamagne Reserve Extra Brut Rose stood out for its quality, delicate body and flavours, and overall elegance. Made of Cabernet Blanc, Merlot and Saperavi, it showed what Russia can offer in terms of a quality sip.

2012 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Krasnostop & 2010 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Collection Saperavi

Among its reds, 2012 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Krasnostop and 2010 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Collection Saperavi stood out. Both had good fruit presence, depth, balance and smooth texture. While the former (the Krasnostop varietal) revealed tannin highlights in palate, the latter (the Saperavi varietal) revealed the play of acidity in palate.

2013 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Grand Dessert Traminer and 2011 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Grand Dessert Nectar

Showcasing the sweeter wines were the aged and fortified 2013 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Grand Dessert Traminer and 2011 Chateau Tamagne Reserve Grand Dessert Nectar. These being sweeter sips, I opted to taste them closer to the day’s end, but time just flew way… next time when opportune arises I hope.

ProWine Asia 2016 and some wines from Portugal

I came across 2 interesting wine companies from Portugal during this ProWine Asia. One was Read Companhia Velha and the other Chateau dÓr.

Real Companhia Velha 

Real Companhia Velha had some history to offer. It was founded by King D. Jose I in 1756. Ms Dora Esteves Martins, who was at this booth, shared that this is the 'oldest Port wine company' in Portugal and has over the years greatly contributed to the development of the port wine industry.

Ms Dora Esteves Martins and friends

This company currently owns some of the best Quintas located in the Douro region (Quinta das Carvalhas, Quinta de Cidro, Quinta dos Aciprestes and Quinta do Casal da Granja to name a few).

Still wines (from Quinta de Cidro, Delaforce and Porca de Murca) as well as ports of varied styles (ruby, tawny, colheita, vntage and LBVs) were showcased during this trade show.

Previously one challenge I faced in appreciating Portuguese reds is the number of varietals which some producers generously include into a particular blend (it certainly can be one too many); and the lack of familiarity with these varietal names often added to this challenge. Such an endeavour could be perfectly justifiable from the perspective of a wine producer who appreciates what each varietal contributes and thus arrives at a composition which comes together to make a good wine in the glass; but still a challenge I must say to an overseas wine consumer trying to discover wines from Portugal.

Quinta de Cidro wines

It was therefore pleasing to see wines like Quinta de Cidro’s well made monovarietal Touriga Nacional; and another red, a blend of Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon. Both reflected good quality, smooth texture and an elegant personality. These wines come from the Sao Joao da Pesqueira wine area in Douro.

Royal Oporto port wines

The Royal Oporto ports, apart from showing complexity and enjoyable constitution, came in well designed wine bottles which captured the attention of event participants and tempted them to stop at this booth for more information.

Chateau dÓr

It would be reasonable to say Chateau dÓr  stood out amidst the alcohol supported liquid wares offered by other booths during this event. This wine company chose to offer 'alcohol free' wines.

‘Why?’ was the question which went through my mind when I chanced upon this booth. The company representative explained that in markets where alcoholic beverages face challenges in terms of pricing, tax or cultural issues, ‘alcohol free’ wines offer an alternate option .



Chateau DÓr Red

The red alcohol free wine is produced using Merlot; while Chardonnay is used to produce a white. It sees a growing demand in some parts of the world for its alcohol free wines and intends to pursue these markets.

ProWine Asia 2016 in Singapore

Food & Hotel Asia 2016 (FHA2016), a much anticipated food and hospitality event, was recently held in April. Suffice to say, it’s one of the larger events held in Singapore. It takes up all the halls which Singapore EXPO has to offer and some foyer space as well to add. Wines and Spirits make up an important component of this event and this time round, they were showcased under a new platform called ProWine ASIA 2016 (jointly organized by Singapore Exhibition Services and Messe Düsseldorf Asia). It offered a place for wine producers, distributors, buyers and retailers to come together during this four-day trade event to learn, taste and make deals on wines showcased.

Wine producers from respective countries grouped together to showcase their wines under respective pavilions (namely Australia, Austria, Chile, France, Hungary, Italy and Portugal to mention a few). Even Singapore had a pavilion (made up of local wine merchants keen on showcasing wines under their portfolio). A surprising note was to find wine producers from countries like Canada, Russia and Serbia as well; wines from these countries are not widely sold in Singapore for now. It’s heartening to see their wines showcased here; giving local importers an opportunity to discover these wines on a first hand basis.

Chan Wai Xin

Wine seminars and masterclasses were held during this 4-days event. Amidst well known wine speakers, it was good to see several young and upcoming local wine personalities being given the opportunity to share their wine knowledge with seminar attendees. Local Italian Wine Ambassador Chan Wai Xin conducted 3 seminars on Italian wines. He shared about Sangiovese wines produced in different regions of Italy, as well as discussed about wines from Sicily, Sardegna and Veneto. Indra Kumar talked about Spanish wines. Tan Kok Hong introduced a good range of Austrian wines to curious participants.

Tan Kok Hong

Indra Kumar

In addition to regular wine booths, there was also a Champagne lounge, a Rose wines tasting corner and a standalone wine tasting zone where wines from various wine producing regions were introduced for tasting and appreciation at different time slots. These enclaves provided participants an opportunity to taste and discover wines at a more leisurely pace.

Champagne Lounge

Rose Corner by Vins de Provence



Wine Tasting Booth



The number crunchers informed that ProWine ASIA 2016 brought together around 250 wine producers and distributors from 30 countries. Slightly over 8,200 participants attended; with visitors and delegates coming from 44 countries. A good response, one can add.

More pictures of this show can be viewed via this link: ProWine Asia 2016 Photo Album

A New Gourmet Food Store With Wines

A quick entry on a gourmet food store at 25 Yong Siak Street. Its called Zircon-Swis Gourmet LLP.

A new setup, it holds ingredients for you to quickly dish up an easy meal for the evening as well as offer items of culinary appeal for the curious to explore and taste. When you enter the store, you are greeted by ingredients for salad, antipasti from Australia, condiments, dips, oil, an assortment of vinegars and some interesting collection of cheese from France.

Ms Karen Lam (formerly of Bistro 103) is currently the Retail Operations Manager over here. She will be a great resource to tap on things food, wines and food & wine pairing solutions as well.

Wine enthusiasts will be happy to note that deeper within this store, there is a range of both old and new world wines neatly displayed for purchase. A collaboration with Enoteca wine company sees a good spread of wines from it's portfolio represented over here.

If you are residing in Tiong Bahru or passing by this place, check it out for your culinary and vinous needs :)