Languedoc – The southern assortment
Prices of Bordeaux are out of hand, Burgundy just got devastated by hailstones (so was Champagne) and Rhône are getting expensive, if not already so. There are little affordable French red wine options available in Singapore, but not unless you are willing to explore the wines of Languedoc-Roussillon.
Marchesi Antinori – A different perspective
Six centuries, twenty-six generations, fifteen Italian estates and seven others around the world. In the world of Italian wines, Marchesi Antinori is a name synonymous with quality, innovation and creativity. While most are familiar with their wines of Tignanello, Solaia and Guado al Tasso, there are other good and affordable wines beyond this familiar horizon.
Wines of Victoria, defining identity
What do I know about wines from Victoria state of Australia? This was the first question that crossed my mind when I received the invite to a media lunch organised by the Australian Trade Commission. After spending five minutes and not recalling an impression of the wines produced in this little state, perhaps I haven’t drank any […]
Argentina, not just Malbec
Think Argentina and think Malbec. That was the tagline commonly used to get people acquainted with Argentinian wines. While the French originated thick skin inky black grape remains popular for making wines in this South America country, others are blending Malbec with European varieties to create a fresh expression. An expression that potentially might change […]
Nederburg – Wines for Heritage Heroes
Whenever we asked people about their impression of South African wines, it is inevitable that people will think of low quality, cheap, supermarket wines. An unfortunate impression but a marketing strategy that helps consumers to get acquainted to their presence. Nederburg wines are no stranger to the supermarket shelves, but in their latest masterclass presentation […]
Bordeaux En Primeur 2012
In the past weeks, the world wine market has its eyes fixed on the Bordeaux en primeur. With every price release looking like an IPO, wine merchants are often kept waiting with eager anticipation. Marking wines to market wrongly can be disastrous, result in either massive loss in profits or lack of interest from customers. Both […]
Half way round the globe – American wines
In an earlier post on my trip to Napa Valley, I wrote “If you ask almost anyone to name a source region for America’s wines, there is a 90 per cent chance someone will quickly respond with Napa Valley.” Similarly, if you asked for the red wine of America there’s an equally high chance of hearing […]
Bordeaux Legends – From past to present
Bordeaux, how could any wine lovers not know its name, its place and its fame for its wines. To the world this is terre du vin. But to be what it is today, Bordeaux had seen long period of turmoil, revolutions and rolled many heads. Much has been said about the prices, even more had […]
Wine fault – Style or shoddy work?
Over a short spanning weekend, I had the opportunities to taste a series of wine faults (unintentionally). Regardless if one would consider these as curse or blessing, I remained sour about it. Still so today, and perhaps many weeks after. But the most incredulous thing was being told to “just accept it”. Has it become acceptable for […]
Chemical residues in wines – A wakeup call on farming practices
This year’s Valentine’s Day was a moody one for the wine makers in France. A research study published by renown France Laboratoire Excell reported chemical residues were found within 90% of finished wines. While there hasn’t been any complaint made against toxicity effect arises from wine consumption (other than alcohol poisoning), it is certainly worthwhile […]