It feels like yesterday when Chek invited me to a year-end tasting at Praelum. The image of how our tasting notes dwindled from enthusiastic lengthy paragraphs to short hand scribbles remains as impressionable as ever. Now looking at my watch ticking away the remaining seconds and minutes of 2013, it is time to sum up my year before declaring article holiday.
Wine Xin has grown steadily with increased readership from across the globe since we started in mid-2012. At one point, the site was offered monetary return from a foreign advertising agency. But after considering the little value we can give to the advertiser and to our targeted readers, we decided to drop the ball.
It is easy to tell where our wine drinking population is heading. Spend 30 minutes a day at Robertson Quay Wine Connection and tell me which day is quiet. Almost never. But despite so, our populous interest in wines and its intricacies have yet to match the love for food. Food blogs remain as one of the biggest things, follow by sociopolitical commentary. Even though at times the latter are mindless and downright rubbish. But despite being the lesser group, we are always ready to welcome anyone who are going to hop on board the wine bandwagon.
Don’t worry, there are enough wines to go around to keep everyone happy.
In September, Amanda joined the site with her most controversial post titled “Sommelier who doesn’t drink”. The responses we received were of two extremes, but we take everything with a pinch of salt along with a glass of Champagne. Second to that uproar was the proudest local mention of the year, the successful making of durian wine from laboratory. From the number of internet hits and links we recorded, Singapore had propelled into wine industry spotlight, almost overnight.
Who would have imagined a fruit considered foul by many others can actually be an ingredient for alcohol? Well, we did.
Of the many things that I have been privileged to get involved, the coaching of Certified Specialist of Wine programme took the centre piece. Through the active engagement and network building, we have gained much foothold within the industry. This was further supplemented with my award for Achieving Continuous Education. What more can I ask for?
As a proper closure, I guess it is fitting for a wine blog to list the wines that left lasting impression in 2013. So here goes…
Sparkling category
Rives-Blanques Blanc de Blancs 2009 – Languedoc – The southern assortment
Jacquesson Cuvee No. 736 NV – Sparkling – Champagne, Christmas, Celebration
Sauvignon Blanc
Blue Pyrenees Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – Wines of Victoria, defining identity
Urlar Estate, Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – Singapore Wine Fiesta – Across the new world
Chardonnay
Vasse Felix, Heytesbury Chardonnay 2011 – Vasse Felix – Fulfilling nature’s potential
Tormaresca Chardonnay, Puglia IGT, 2012 – Marchesi Antinori – A different perspective
Oakridge Wines, Chardonnay – Local Vineyard 2012 – Singapore Wine Fiesta – Across the new world
Pinot noir
Shaw + Smith, Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot noir 2012 – Tolpuddle by Shaw + Smith, exploring Tasmania
Oakridge Wines, Pinot noir – Over The Shoulder 2012 – Singapore Wine Fiesta – Across the new world
Bordeaux red blend
Vasse Felix, Heytesbury red 2009 – Vasse Felix – Fulfilling nature’s potential
Goona Warra Vineyard Cygnus 2008 – Wines of Victoria, defining identity
Other red wines
Tasca d’Almerita, Rosso del Conte 2008, Contea di Sclafani DOC – Wine fraternities – Italian Grandi Marchi
Masi Agricola, Riserva di Costasera 2007, Amarone Classico Riserva DOC – Wine fraternities – Italian Grandi Marchi
Masi Tupungato Corbec Rosso di Argentina 2008 – Argentina, not just Malbec
Thanks for reading. Have a merry Christmas, happy new year 2014 and altogether a happy holiday!
