Wine of the Month - May 2016

The Hospices de Beaune is a hospital established in 1443 to treat the sick and poor funded by an annual wine charity sale that takes place on the third Sunday of each November. The wines are sold in barrel and aged by an appointed négociant. Each wine is dedicated to the benefactor who gifted the vineyard to the Hospices. This particular wine came from a barrel sold as the Pièce du Président, with proceeds going to the Carla  Bruni-Sarkozy Foundation and the idée Foundation which supports literacy and epileptic treatments respectively.


Wine: Hospices de Beaune Corton Grand Cru Charlotte Dumay 2012

Tasting note: Pinot Noir from Burgundy can often reach lofty heights, but this wine takes its place among the stars. Sublimely sleek, soft and perfumed, this wine flows around the palate with rounded acidity and a feather-light texture. The flavours are intense and energetic, showing spice, juicy redcurrants and sumptuous red cherries. Absolutely electrifying. 

Cocktail Festival at Singapore Changi Airport

From now until 30th June, the DFS Cocktail Festival is taking place at the DFS Wines and Spirits Duplex at Changi Airport Terminal 3. Travellers flying out of that terminal can enjoy mini masterclasses, locally-inspired cocktails and flairing performances for free. Each weekend features a guest bartender from Singapore's vibrant bar scene who will be showcasing a cocktail exclusively created for the festival. These bespoke cocktails will only be available from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm during the two days the guest bartender is at the festival. The lineup is as follows:

Jigger & Pony featuring Christyne Lee: May 27 & 28
Manhattan featuring Philip Bischoff: June 10 & 11
The Library featuring Adam ‘Eddy’ Bursik: June 17 & 18
Smoke & Mirrors featuring Byron Tan: June 24 & 25

In addition, a party hosted by Veuve Clicquot will be held on June 3 & 4 showcasing cocktails made with Veuve Clicquot Rich, a sweeter-style champagne specifically made for mixing.

Proseccos from Villa Sandi

Producer: Villa Sandi

As the train rolled in to the next stop in Singapore, I noticed something peculiar. The electronic route map inside the train was indicating that we had arrived at Paya Lebar, while the station signs read Eunos. Meanwhile the automated announcement was assuring passengers that we had stopped at Tanah Merah. Later during the day, as I spoke with Laura Dassiè, I inwardly wondered if she too wished that she could be at several places at the same time. As the Export Area Manager for Villa Sandi, her travel schedule is physically demanding, and the mental effort required to be promoting wines the entire day no less punishing.