Wine

[[C]hEWy]

1 more for the night..

 

[[C]hEWy]

Anyone hooting from cru sale? Can recommend some of the wine on sale ?

Btw, where exactly is the sale?

 

[sane_geek]

Btw, where exactly is the sale?

Sg.cruworldwine.com

 

[[C]hEWy]

Sg.cruworldwine.com

Thanks.

You could try some of the St Emilion '15 '05 '09 '10 '12 or St Julien '09 '10 '15 '12

Burgundy would be generally more expensive thou.. Can try Cotes d N '09 '10 to '15

 

[ikileo]

I'm looking for good bargain red for daily drink (buying case), and individual bottle of good wine on a bargain to try out.

For style, it doesn't really matter, but leaning to Bordeaux and Burgundy instead of new world. I still drink a lot of new world so it doesn't really matter.

My SO and I drink about 1-2 bottles a week so wine sale is an opportunity to stock up

Are you getting anything from cru this round? I'm thinking to get the cru bourgeois case, Talinn if I'm not wrong.

i don't typically buy bords and burgs as I have enough friends who do and they will share with me haha...

from the sale list, you can actually set a list and filter by region and red wine, you will end up with about 50+ which makes it easier. You will definitely avoid the $1000+s cases. Outside of that, depending on your budget (because everyone's definition of 'affordable' is different) all the wines on the list are actually good and decent.

There are so many smaller bordeaux producers, you can't really go too wrong, CHEWY had picked out some of the good vintages to look out for. Just buy according to your budget and that should be rather safe.

 

[[C]hEWy]

i don't typically buy bords and burgs as I have enough friends who do and they will share with me haha...

from the sale list, you can actually set a list and filter by region and red wine, you will end up with about 50+ which makes it easier. You will definitely avoid the $1000+s cases. Outside of that, depending on your budget (because everyone's definition of 'affordable' is different) all the wines on the list are actually good and decent.

There are so many smaller bordeaux producers, you can't really go too wrong, CHEWY had picked out some of the good vintages to look out for. Just buy according to your budget and that should be rather safe.

I think the Chianti Classico from Italy and some of the Pinot Noirs from South Africa is quite value for money and nice as a table wine..

I'm new to South African wines, but their Pinot Noirs are actually quite surprising for me, in terms of their wine character..

 

[ikileo]

SA has quite a different terroir and climate and there is a renaissance of passionate producers that make really stellar wines there. unfortunately the market in SG is tiny so you typically get the big mass producers which are ok but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[[C]hEWy]

SA has quite a different terroir and climate and there is a renaissance of passionate producers that make really stellar wines there. unfortunately the market in SG is tiny so you typically get the big mass producers which are ok but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Yup, I think it has an interesting character for a Pinot Noir..

Btw Bro, do u have any merchants u can recommend that has some nice SA? Haha..

 

[ikileo]

had a couple of bottles over the weeks.

2014 Antoine Sanzay 'Les Poyeux' Saumur Champigny, Loire, France
I love Loire Valley wines. They are underrated and not mainstream but the quality the top producers make is stellar and you get it get a great price too. The red grape of the Loire Valley is Cabernet Franc. In Bordeaux it is used as a blending grape but in the Loire it is the STAR.

This is still young and very vibrant but it was also super silky and elegant due to the winemaker and quality of fruit. If you are used to the typically very ripe style of wines, then this may be quite a shift for you. The wines are aged in 3rd year barrels purchased from the first growth bordeaux producer: Château Latour.

These grapes were also sourced from the 'Les Poyeux' vineyard which is famously from where (argueably) the best and most famous red Loire producer: Clos Rougeraud*. Thankfully I have another 2 bottles left to drink over the next 5-10 years. Super recommended - Available at WEA Wines: https://weawines.com.sg/

*Read more about Clos Rougeraud here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/eureka-a-cult-wine-that-lives-up-to-its-hype-1464879767

Fun fact, Cabernet Franc is the genetic parent of the well known Cabernet Sauvignon.

I chilled it down and even had it with sashimi and sushi. It went well deliciously. It had the elegance and silkiness to match the raw fish.​

2015 Antoine Sanzay 'Les Salles Martin' Saumur, Loire, France
From the same Loire producer but this is his white wine! Made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes. This is a primarily tropical fruit yet dry and mineral driven wines. Loads of passionfruit on the nose but the palate is clean and dry with pithy pears and a medium weight on it.

The winemaker ages them in barrels purchased from Domaine Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet which adds to the silky texture.

- Available at WEA Wines: https://weawines.com.sg/​

2007 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy
Castello di Ama is a very prominent producer in Chianti Classico. I visited them in 2011 and bought back 2 of these. I tasted the first bottle in 2012 but it was closed. I opened my last on this CNY at it's 10 year mark and it was vastly different. Definitely an aged savoury note, but still with the ripe tuscan fruit and a delicious balsamic element to the wine.

Body was luxurious and the fine powdery tannins still were active which gave the wine structure. I'm super glad that I kept it to this year. 2007 was a good year in Tuscany in general. I drank this over 3 days and it was holding very well. -

Castello di Ama is available from ENOTECA in Takashimaya Basement

My visit back in 2011​

2007 Isole e Olena Collezione Private Cabernet Sauvignon, Tuscany, Italy
Still on Tuscany. Isole e Olena is another very prominent producer who makes really incredible wines with a very traditional yet also modern perspective. The winemaker & owner: Paolo, is super passionate and his wines are particularly very popular in the US and European markets. This is his 'private collection' wines which he makes a 100% Syrah and a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. I absolutely adore his Syrah and have drunk it on at least 4 occasions.

At 10 years on this has integrated very nicely. It's everything you'd expect from a cabernet sauvignon but the fruit also has savoury elements, dried herbs and olive notes. It really is reflective of the tuscan countryside and soil. Went great with steak. - Producer is available primarily at http://ewineasia.com/

My visit to Isole e Olena in 2011 and tasting through.​

2014 Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Turckheim, Alsace, France
Last but not least. Had this white wine to go with steamboat and hotplate during CNY. Zind Humbrecht is one of Alsace's top producers and this is their entry bottling of the classic definitive grape of Alsace: Gewurztraminer.

It's a mouthful but this is a wine that goes very well with a wide variety of asian food. It's known to be super aromatic and the main aroma is that of lychees. Even my friends who don't even drink wine can tell me it was lychees immediately. The mouthfeel is rounded and while it tastes and smells juicy at first, it finishes dry with a good amount of acid. This let's the wine go down easy and helps pair with a number of food. It is inexpensive at $30+ if you buy directly from the importer. - Available from Wein & Vin: http://www.weinvin.com/

 

[ikileo]

Yup, I think it has an interesting character for a Pinot Noir..

Btw Bro, do u have any merchants u can recommend that has some nice SA? Haha..

truth be told i don't drink enough SA.
Cellarmaster has quite a wide range.

The other wine is African Market Place Singapore.

 

[[C]hEWy]

truth be told i don't drink enough SA.
Cellarmaster has quite a wide range.

The other wine is African Market Place Singapore.

Thanks Bro for sharing.. Love your reviews, always have a lot of details about the wine..

 

[ikileo]

my pleasure. i've been doing it for nearly 10 years on HWZ alr. anything to help people enjoy wine more.

 

[Golden_Fox]

What are some must-have tools for frequent wine drinkers? Especially when opening those wine with cock.

 

[[C]hEWy]

What are some must-have tools for frequent wine drinkers? Especially when opening those wine with cock.

Always, keep a handy and portable corkscrew..

But, if you like to drink at home, you can get one of the wine opener sets below (plus a wine filter if u like to drink really old vintages). Very easy and stylish to use especially if u have friends over at your place.. Gets 1 cork out in like 3 secs (just push down and pull up.. done).

 

[rollanddie]

How to store wine with corks after opening?

Sent from 1000char using GAGT

 

[[C]hEWy]

How to store wine with corks after opening?

Sent from 1000char using GAGT

I seriously don't suggest this but you can reverse the cork and plug it back in.. Depending on how delicate your wine is, it may die in an hour or up to 2-3 days.. Fortifieds might last longer..

 

[sane_geek]

i don't typically buy bords and burgs as I have enough friends who do and they will share with me haha...

from the sale list, you can actually set a list and filter by region and red wine, you will end up with about 50+ which makes it easier. You will definitely avoid the $1000+s cases. Outside of that, depending on your budget (because everyone's definition of 'affordable' is different) all the wines on the list are actually good and decent.

There are so many smaller bordeaux producers, you can't really go too wrong, CHEWY had picked out some of the good vintages to look out for. Just buy according to your budget and that should be rather safe.

Thanks ikileo & CHEWY. Wish you great wines in the year of rooster

 

[Golden_Fox]

I seriously don't suggest this but you can reverse the cork and plug it back in.. Depending on how delicate your wine is, it may die in an hour or up to 2-3 days.. Fortifieds might last longer..

The tool on the bottom left, is that better or cork/metal cap?

 

[[C]hEWy]

The tool on the bottom left, is that better or cork/metal cap?

Reversed cork / metal cap better.. that tool is only for u to display when drinking =P it doesn't really work well..

On a side note, try not to keep opened wines..

Another note, if u normally take 1-2 days to finish a bottle, u may consider getting a coravin - u won't even need to uncork the wine and it keeps it well - argon gas is used for coravin..

 

[ikileo]

What are some must-have tools for frequent wine drinkers? Especially when opening those wine with cock.

honestly the must haves are only 3 essential things:

1) Wine opener. There are many fancy gadgets but in the end the most common tool used by wine professionals, merchants, enthusiasts and sommeliers is the 'Waiter's Friend' type of corkscrew. It is reliable, easyto use and it's extremely easily available. Not sure how to use? There are many videos available. Qoo10 has a lot I just found one with good reviews: http://list.qoo10.sg/item/STOCK-IN-...WINE-BEER-CAP-OPENER-WITH-CORKSCREW/433790775

2) Wine Glasses. I assume you already have those.

3) Decanter. Any department store has. Buy one within your budget. Popular brands include Riedel, Schott Zwiesel and Lucaris. This is generally used more for red wines, especially young ones that need air.


outside of these 3, there are many more toys and gadgets, but they are not necessary unless you drink specific set of wines or have a certain drinking style.

- Wine Filter: if you drink lots of old wine that have lots of sediment
- Ah-So Cork Puller: Sounds singlish but it's an European invention. Helps you take out corks from very very old wines with crumbly corks
- Coravin: For people who buy expensive wines that are meant to age but you still want to taste it without opening the cork.
- Vinturi: A device that helps aerate the wine as you pour. For people with very little patience and tends to drink very young wines.
- Vacu-Vin Air Saver: A device that pumps out as much air as it can to insert a stopper so you can save your unfinished wine the next day. For people who typically can't finish the bottle within the meal and don't want to let it develop further.

these are the ones i can think off but honestly, just stick to the basic 3.