Recent alcohol events and launch you need to know/add to your collection
For any self-respecting alcohol enthusiast, one should always inform themselves about new alcohol releases in the market.
For any self-respecting alcohol enthusiast, one should always inform themselves about new alcohol releases in the market. Let us all raise a toast (or two, maybe three) to these alcohol-related news and drops!
*Please drink responsibly
Champagne & Wines you'll want in your cellar or wine fridge
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame
We all love a convention-defying story, and this one from Veuve Clicquot is one of my favourites. For someone who is new to the La Grande Dame champagne by Veuve Clicquot, here's also a TL:DR about the person the champagne was named after.
Madame Clicquot, maiden name Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, was known as the "Grande Dame of Champagne". She was a French Champagne producer who took on her husband's wine business when widowed at 27 – something one may not bade an eyelid about now – but was an unheard, almost scandalous thing to do during her time. Because she built her entire champagne empire on audacious decisions, Madame Clicquot was called by her peers "la grande dame de la Champagne", giving the champagne the namesake it has now.
When La Grande Dame 2015 was launched recently, we caught up with Veuve Clicquot winemaker Marie Charlemagne who led an exclusive tasting with a menu crafted by Chef Denis Lucchi of Buona Terra.
When asked what makes the champagne stands out, Charlemagne quipped, "The champagne's vertticality, its elegance."
This solar vintage offers a much-quipped about "verticality" often mentioned with Veuve Clicquot's vintages, and is said to be created through a balancing act that gives the wines their finesse and freshness while being elegant and precise. This vintage champagne offers fresh minerality with light floral notes of jasmine and acacia on the nose, which evolve into fruity notes of pear and clementine. Composed of 90 per cent Pinot Noir and enhanced by Chardonnay, the cuvée possesses an ageing potential of around 15 years.
Purchase La Grande Dame 2015 in Singapore at Le Rouge stores. La Grande Dame 2015 is priced at S$348 for 1, S$338 each for 3 bottles and S$328 each for 6 bottles.
Penfolds ONE
Penfolds has just released a curated collection of wines from Australia, California and France on Amazon Singapore, celebrating community, culture and collaboration across the wine world. Designed in partnership with Human Made founder NIGO, ONE by Penfolds celebrates the idea of ‘oneness’.
Using his signature style, NIGO designed quirky animal motifs on the wine labels – such as a crocodile, rooster and bear, each individually representing the winemaking regions the wine is made in – Australia, France and America.
Enjoy limited time promotion from now to 31 Aug
1. Enjoy S$7 off min. S$70 spend across all Penfolds items on the Amazon.sg and Amazon Fresh stores.
2. Purchase a set of 7 bottles of ONE by Penfolds and receive a promo code for S$15 off your next Penfolds purchase. While stocks last.
One by Penfolds by NIGO is available now on Amazon Singapore, as well as in select restaurants and bars.
Check out the Penfolds ONE range here
Krug x Lemon
Every year, Krug selects one ingredient and works with chefs worldwide to create a complementary dish to celebrate that ingredient. Expect dishes to pair perfectly with a glass of Krug champagne, of course.
For the first time ever, a fruit has been selected: the humble lemon. Even if you're not a fan of lemons, you'll be excited by two things.
One, long-time Krug Ambassades Hashida, JAAN, Zen and new addition one-Michelin-starred La Dame De Pic have designed lemon-based dishes that'll be easy to love; and two, diners ordering Krug x Lemon dishes at these restaurants will also be gifted “The Zest Is Yet to Come”, the collective cookbook compiling recipes from more than 100 world-renowned Krug Ambassade Chefs.
Here's what you can expect from each restaurant:
Hashida offers a refreshing twist with a Lemon and Eggplant tiramisu for dessert.
JAAN's take on the Lemon Eton Mess is a delightful combination of flavours and textures to end any meal.
Zen showcases how the lemon can lift a dish with its bright acidity and high-toned aromatics with an elegant lobster dish, Sunshine on The Sea.
La Dame de Pic highlights the flavours of the lemon through a unique John Dory dish with Cardamom Leaves and Seashell Nasturtium Ravioli, topped with Cedrat & Lovage Beurre Blanc.
Available from now, cookbooks are limited edition, so fastest fingers first!
The Krug Grande Cuvee 171émé Édition & Krug Rosé 27ème Édition are available in stores at The Moomba Wine Shop for S$408 and S$598, respectively.
Minuty Wines
What do you think of when you see pink wines? In summer-y Singapore, it's a decidedly more thirst-quenching option than your regular wines, and Minuty is one you definitely want on your shopping list.
Get Minuty Prestige here Get Minuty M here
Hard liquor bottles that are great for parties
Buffalo Trace
What comes to mind when you think of bourbon? Bourbon has been the misunderstood cousin of whisky for far too long, and it's time to shine a spotlight on the versatility of the bourbon spirit.
If you want to try good bourbon, put these three brands on your list from the most awarded distillery in the world.
1) Buffalo Trace bourbon:
Aged in new oak barrels for at least 8 years, this deep amber whiskey has a complex aroma of vanilla mint and molasses. Pleasantly sweet with notes of brown sugar and spice that give way to oak toffee dark fruit and anise. This whiskey finishes long and smooth with serious depth.
2) Sazerac Rye:
Sweet with spices and stem ginger in syrup. Orange zest, freshly ground black pepper and mixed peels. Thick, spicy palate with notes of Seville orange marmalade and allspice. Peanut butter, toffee and barrel char develop later on. An oily, spicy finish.
3) Eagle Rare 10 years:
The nose is complex with aromas of toffee, hints of orange peel, herbs, honey, leather and oak. The taste is bold, dry and delicate with candied almonds and very rich cocoa notes. The finish is dry and lingering.
Related:
Beer bulk buys: Enjoy doorstep delivery and save big
Recent alcohol events and launch you need to know/add to your collection
When I asked Simone, the brand ambassador of Buffalo Trace, why someone should try bourbon, she said, "How a bourbon is made and how it's aged, it's as organic as it gets. No bourbon ever has that headstart (where they are aged in a barrel that has been put through work so people know how it will turn out). There are no flavours to hide behind (from a used barrel). It's as original a product as you're going to get."
Get Buffalo Trace bourbon here
Johnny Walker Blue Label
In the first of a series of thought-provoking dinners around the region by Johnnie Walker Blue Label aimed to define the future of luxury dining 200 years from today, Johnnie Walker Blue Label invited celebrated chefs and best friends – Andrew Walsh, Mickael Viljanen and Mark Moriarty – to come together and co-create an innovative menu that marks Cure’s 8th anniversary to the theme of “Air. Land. Sea.”
David Dang, Southeast Asia Luxury Director, Diageo, said, “We have a strong commitment to sustainability and continued innovation and Johnnie Walker Blue Label genuinely believe in the power of connecting great minds to initiate positive change, and as we look ahead, we believe culinary arts and luxury spirits have the potential to shape a better future together. We are excited to be working with these top chefs, and this marks the start of many more collaborations this year with progressive chefs across the world."
Get the Depth of Blue gift set here
Before we end this article, we'll just leave some bundle deals right here...
Find casual drinking wines at great deals on Amazon
The House of Suntory Triology Pack
Buy it here
Wine crate deals from Vinomofo
Shop for wine crate deals at Vinomofo
