Wine Tatler
Singapore

Hungary is probably the most well known wine country in Eastern Europe for two reasons - Tokaji and Bull’s Blood. Tokaji is a very sweet wine that was prized by the Russian Tsars, made in an oxidized manner similar to Sherry. Bull’s Blood is a red wine which should interest further as you dive deeper into this diverse wine region.

There are 17 famous Hungarian wine regions which offer the drinks. These are Tokaj, Plains (Alföld), Tapolca, Badacsony, Csopak, Balatonfüred, Balatonboglár, Bársonyos-Császári, Eger, Mátralja, Mecsek, Mór, Sopron, Szekszárd, Villány-Sikló, Nyírség. How do we pronounce these names? Beat us too.

At the recent Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) 2008, we met up with Angeline, one of the faces behind Singapore most novel and unique wine business, Wine Tatler. Don’t mistake this for the luxury magazine, Tatler. But these two names bear a startling similarity; they are both unique. In this case, Wine Tatler founded in 2006 is the brainchild of Arthur and Angeline Tan (as pictured above).

The importer/distributor mainly caters to clubs, restaurants and the retail scene (Just to list a few - Wine Gallery, WIne Fella, Red Cellar, Ponti, Wine Boutique, and Maxim Gourmet) in Singapore, with a hotel in Indonesia. We understand from it owners, they have plans for a retail outfit sometime in the middle of 2008. Visit our publication more to tune in to the latest happenings in the vino world, through our Mandarin eyes.

For more information about Wine Tatler, please click here.

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2005 Szeremley Estate Badaconyi Riesling Selection

T24042008. 12.5%. 100% Riesling. Floral with white fruit. Medium-bodied, dry, chalky, with a short finish. Enjoyable now. Drink from 2008 to 2010.

2005 Tokaji Furmint Dry

T24042008. 12.0%. 100% Furmint. Floral and smells liken the sauce used in Chinese Chicken rice, styled with soya sauce. Unique, funky nose. Light to medium-bodied, pleasant acidity and a short finish. Enjoyable now. Drink from 2008 to 2010.

2005 Szeremley Estate Pinot Noir

T24042008. 12.5%. 100% Pinot Noir. Licorice. Raspberry. Fresh nose. Light to medium-bodied with soft acidity, pleasant and a short to medium finish. Enjoyable now. Drink from now till 2012.

2004 Simon Bikaver (Bull’s Blood)

T24042008. 12.5%. A mixed blender of Kekfrankos, Kekoporto, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. 2 years in oak before release. Dense packed tightly wound fruit basket. Medium to full bodied, big toned tannins with balance, depth and a good medium finish. Drink from 2010+.

2000 Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos Premium Sweet

T24042008. 11.5%. Furmint and Linden grape varietal plus Aszu berry. Strong and persistent tropical fruit bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, dry fruit, apricots, honey, light acidity, with a short to medium finish. Enjoyable now.

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Photographs and text by Daniel. Hit us with your best shots; we’ll try our best to listen. Send your inquiries or comments here or via email to jiuwine@gmail.com.