Wine

[looiwte]

I've had some harsh experiences with the Laugel Vin D'Alsace series too.
A Pinot Noir went down the sink, while another Riesling was borderline acceptable.

Think this is the lower, industrial level label. But I've had good experience with Arthur Metz Michel Leon Gewurz.

Got a bottle of Laugel Vin D'Alsace Sylvaner 2010 from Carrefour for $14.20. It's quite difficult to drink. What kind of wine is this...

 

[hkm520240]

Have you guys tried the Meerlust Rubicon? Heard it's a pretty good value SA Bordeaux blend.

I tried once during one of the WFA. Nice wine but couldn't remember how good it is. But at local market retail of S$70 and WEA past offer of S$60, I expect it to have certain level of quality. As $60 can buy us a nice Bordeaux or Aussie Cab.

 

[hkm520240]

The bellingham and boschendal can be bought from Cellarmaster and their retail outlet at TOTT.

Cellarmaster also carry few other good labels from SA like Klein Constantia and Kanonkop. I bought some Kanonkop wines from WEA and realised the wines are from Cellarmaster with an importer sticker behind.

But their retail outlet at TOTT is too far away for me to pay a visit.

 

[stayhappy21]

Perhaps we can have a Syrah/Shiraz theme wines session in future as it is such a versatile varietal and great expression of terroir.[/QUOTE]

Let's bring it on.. We can have a theme "Around the world tasting Shiraz.. This is a grape that is planted in at least 5 different continents..

 

[stayhappy21]

On a totally unrelated note, the Wine Fiesta is back again!
Entry fee @ $38.
Line up of wines as follow: winefiesta

AUSTRALIA

ARA
BALNAVES
FERNGROVE
GLAETZER
GOLDING
HEARTLAND
KAESLER
LEEUWIN ESTATE
LOGAN
MCHENRY HOHNEN
OAKRIDGE
ROCHFORD
SIDEWOOD
WOODSTOCK
YARRA YERING

CROATIA

BIBICH
BOSKINOC
CORONICA
KORTA KATARINA
MENEGHETTI

FRANCE

A&A DEVILLARD
AIX
CHATEAU LA NERTHE
DELAS
DOMAINE BOURILLON DORLEANS
FRANCOIS VILLARD
HEBRARD
HENRY MARRIONET
JM BROCARD
JM CAZES
JULES
LA FORGE
MAS NEUF
MISCHIEF & MAYHEM
WOLFBERGER

GERMANY

MAX FERDINAND
SCHLOSS SCHORNBORN

HUNGARY

DISZNOKO

INDIA

GROVER

ITALY

BRANCAIA
FANTI
GD VAJRA
LIVON
MARCO FELLUGA
MIONETTO
MONTE DEL FRA
RICASOLI
SPERI
VAL DI TORO
VIETTI
VILLA M
ZUANI

JAPAN

GRACE

LEBANON

CHATEAU KEFRAYA

NEW ZEALAND

CJ PASK
LAWSON DRY HILL
URLAR

PORTUGAL

QUINTA DO CRASTO
QUINTA DO CASAL BRANCO

SPAIN

ALTANZA
AVANTE SELECTA
MARQUES DE MURRIETA
RAVENTOS

UNITED KINGDOM

RUBIS

USA

HONIG

Worth going??

 

[ikileo]

Perhaps we can have a Syrah/Shiraz theme wines session in future as it is such a versatile varietal and great expression of terroir.

Let's bring it on.. We can have a theme "Around the world tasting Shiraz.. This is a grape that is planted in at least 5 different continents..[/QUOTE]

yeah that's fine. i recall the first ever meet up session here with reign and Nautilus. it was a tasting between 2 types of shiraz. An aussie shiraz from Heathcote and a Crozes-Hermitage from Northern Rhone. a world of difference.



we would probably have to find a venue for this that serves up hearty meals with meat or stews. the burger place at queensway is always an option.

 

[ikileo]

On a totally unrelated note, the Wine Fiesta is back again!
Entry fee @ $38.
Line up of wines as follow: winefiesta

AUSTRALIA

ARA
BALNAVES
FERNGROVE
GLAETZER
GOLDING
HEARTLAND
KAESLER
LEEUWIN ESTATE
LOGAN
MCHENRY HOHNEN
OAKRIDGE
ROCHFORD
SIDEWOOD
WOODSTOCK
YARRA YERING

CROATIA

BIBICH
BOSKINOC
CORONICA
KORTA KATARINA
MENEGHETTI

FRANCE

A&A DEVILLARD
AIX
CHATEAU LA NERTHE
DELAS
DOMAINE BOURILLON DORLEANS
FRANCOIS VILLARD
HEBRARD
HENRY MARRIONET
JM BROCARD
JM CAZES
JULES
LA FORGE
MAS NEUF
MISCHIEF & MAYHEM
WOLFBERGER

GERMANY

MAX FERDINAND
SCHLOSS SCHORNBORN

HUNGARY

DISZNOKO

INDIA

GROVER

ITALY

BRANCAIA
FANTI
GD VAJRA
LIVON
MARCO FELLUGA
MIONETTO
MONTE DEL FRA
RICASOLI
SPERI
VAL DI TORO
VIETTI
VILLA M
ZUANI

JAPAN

GRACE

LEBANON

CHATEAU KEFRAYA

NEW ZEALAND

CJ PASK
LAWSON DRY HILL
URLAR

PORTUGAL

QUINTA DO CRASTO
QUINTA DO CASAL BRANCO

SPAIN

ALTANZA
AVANTE SELECTA
MARQUES DE MURRIETA
RAVENTOS

UNITED KINGDOM

RUBIS

USA

HONIG

Worth going??

i think if you've not gone before, it's good to go to taste and see what they offer. but like most retailer tasting sessions, once you go for one, the subsequent ones tend to be similar.

honestly, i heard that last year's one wasn't as good as the previous year's one. i think this coincides with the new Wine for Asia event?

but from looking at last years Straits Wines events and WFA, the events nowadays are gearing more and more towards the mainstream consumers; which is nothing wrong and it's a good business move to let new wine drinkers try new things.

but personally, i want to look beyond the mainstream producers and entry/mid tier wines to find more unique and interesting offerings.



i like the events that the Decanter mag organizes in UK. they have different 'Decanter Fine Wine Encounter' events across the year featuring different regions. and usually the top and up&coming producers will come down to take part.

We need something like this in SG, instead of having to throw $150 every time for a 'wine dinner with the wine maker'

that's why i really enjoyed the Chianti Classico fair during the World Gourmet Summit back in 2009. You pay about $50 (which was very well spent) and the hall was nothing but the top Chianti Classicos (from basic, to risveras to flagship iconic CCs) for you to taste.

This kind of tasting provides insight and a good experience to a specific region.

hence we need a balance of both broad mass appeal wine events, with specific regional focuses.


*rant ended*

so uh, yeah you can go to the Straits Wines 'Wine Fiesta' if you've not been before

 

[MuthuCurry]

Agreed with ikileo's view for wine fiesta last year, i went to the event both last yr and the yr before. i must say tt last yr was a disappointing showing. the wines featured last year were mostly those so-so quality, as i learnt tt there was another VIP tasting area (by invitation) which served the premium labels of the participating wine houses. i walked around there and cant really find something really intesting and left the venue in abt 1 hr. the wine fiesta 2 yrs ago has alot more variety and i got to taste many good bottles... the only plus point for last year event was the venue!

 

[hkm520240]

I missed last year's wine fiesta as it was clashed with WFA. Since my last attend in 2010 they have added some new interesting producers from Japan, Croatia, India, Lebanon and UK. So I thought it maybe good for me to check out what they offer now, although I know I maybe only seeing a handful of mid to higher end wine for tasting.

 

[hkm520240]

I was shocked that I just read this year's Asia Wine Expo has been cancelled!

Asia Wine Expo 2012

Dear Exhibitors and Partners,

ASIA WINE EXPO 2012 CANCELLED DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS

We would like to inform you that the inaugural Asia Wine Expo 2012 has been cancelled due to economic reasons.

The continuing economic uncertainties and deepening of the Euro crisis in Europe have impacted many producers' investments. In addition, as many potential wine exhibitors are based in Europe, this has meant that Asia Wine Expo has also had difficulties securing participants.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused you and we will certainly keep you informed of any decisions we may take again in the future.

Yours sincerely,
Asia Wine Expo Team

 

[ikileo]

europe dying ****....

 

[ikileo]

saw this on the cellartracker forum. thought it was quite funny:

A true wine geek goes through the following spiritual stages:

Stage 1 "Genesis" - Have an epiphany wine that makes you want to get more serious about wine

Stage 2 "Confusion" - Realize that there are so many bewildering choices that its difficult to decide what to buy

Stage 3 "Discipleship" - Start following the ratings of a respected wine critic as a guide to what to buy

Stage 4 "Cognitive Dissonance" - Do your best to tell yourself that you are actually enjoying all the highly rated wines you are drinking

Stage 5 "Awakening" - Realize that taste in wine is subjective and you need to determine for yourself what you like

Stage 6 "Rage" - What the f*ck am I going to do with all this wine I bought that i don't actually like?

Stage 7 "Dinner Parties" - Unload the wine on friends at non-wine-geek dinner parties. They will likely be impressed as the wines are highly rated.

Stage 8 "The Quest" - Taste, taste and taste some more to see what regions, producers and vintages you like

Stage 9 "Enlightenment" - OMFG! Burgundy!

Stage 10 "Dark Night of the Soul" - OMFG these things are expensive!

Stage 11 "Inner Peace" - German Riesling! And cheap too!

 

[MuthuCurry]

WEA got fire sales for bordeaux and rhone wines!! worth taking a look ... but, mostly not-so-cheap labels..

 

[ikileo]

Actually the aged CdPs are worth getting. Lots of top producers with more than 10 years of age. Half the waiting game has been won!

I am not buying any cos low $$ this month. Just picked up the '88 Pavie 5 mins ago.

 

[ikileo]

Ooh and the cote roties too!

 

[Edge of Destiny]

hi, what supermarket brand would you guys recommend for dessert wine?

 

[ikileo]

the usual suspects would be sweet light wines by Brown brothers and other mainstream producers.

u can also try stuff a little more expensive but they will be different from the usual stuff. these are available in the bigger cold storage outlets and marketplace/jasons

d'arenberg Noble Wrinkled Riesling
Tempus Two Botrytis Semillon
Jaboulet Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

They will tend to be a bit more expensive ($30-$50) but they tend to offer more than what your basic sweet wines offer. but if you something easy to drink and cheap then the usual mass production aussie producers would suffice.

 

[looiwte]

Just saw the Rubicon at Cold Storage, on offer at $55, maybe buy a bottle to age first...

Hmm, seems Cellarmaster really has a great portfolio of wines then. I'm still stuck at their German, Spanish and Italian wines. But like I said before I feel the regular retail price is pretty high, better to wait for their year-end or festive sales. That said, you can get 15% discount off RRP if you order through their website with a DBS card.

I wonder if the WEA wines are from another distressed investor or cleared stock sold by CM to WEA. Always fascinated by how these wines get around, especially with Australia wine investment sagas and all..

About the WFA cancellation, yeah I'm quite disappointed too because last year was my first time, hopefully not the last! Funny that they decided not to come due to the bad economy at home - all the more reason to sell to the Asian markets then, isn't it? Though this year may not be as buoyant as the last, there's still a lot of growth potential in Asia. Also not sure if the trade exhibitors found any local buyers/agents at last year's event. Or maybe they have done their rounds at Vinexpo HK already and decided it's enough exposure. Who knows?

Cellarmaster also carry few other good labels from SA like Klein Constantia and Kanonkop. I bought some Kanonkop wines from WEA and realised the wines are from Cellarmaster with an importer sticker behind.

But their retail outlet at TOTT is too far away for me to pay a visit.

 

[Edge of Destiny]

the usual suspects would be sweet light wines by Brown brothers and other mainstream producers.

u can also try stuff a little more expensive but they will be different from the usual stuff. these are available in the bigger cold storage outlets and marketplace/jasons

d'arenberg Noble Wrinkled Riesling
Tempus Two Botrytis Semillon
Jaboulet Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

They will tend to be a bit more expensive ($30-$50) but they tend to offer more than what your basic sweet wines offer. but if you something easy to drink and cheap then the usual mass production aussie producers would suffice.

My friend recommended Brown Brothers as well, will take a look at the ones u listed. Thanks!


oh yeah, auric pacific is going to have a wine fair, iirc it's 29 and 30th sept.

 

[looiwte]

Btw if anyone is planning on dining out or celebrating an occasion this month, the Italian restaurant La Barca is having free corkage for September. I recommend highly their T-bone steak - perfect to go with any powerful red!

Also checked out the wine list of another Italian restaurant, No Menu, today. Very impressed with the selection of top Piedmont and Tuscan producers, as well as some small dedicated artisan producers. There was half a page of half-bottles available too, and I feel the overall mark-up isn't too high - around 150% retail price, compared to 200% at most places I've seen. Corkage is 50 and they have a 1-for-1 policy too. I feel local restaurants very often miss the plot with overpriced or mediocre wines on the winelist, so many patrons actually skip the wine and the restaurant ends up having to mark up even more to earn back.