Wines News & People
Weekly tasting at Six O’Clock
An introduction to a wine tasting experience on Fridays
By Daniel Lim.
Singapore – How would you, as a visitor get a handle on the Singapore wine tasting scene? From weekly to monthly tasting and dinners, both wine lovers and visitors have no shortage of opportunities to taste and choose from.
At one recent tasting (Tasting notes as follows), Mark Lim, a banker and wine enthusiast added; “It’s a bit crowded as you know, but if the wine retailer is able to showcase more affordable good wines for tasting, it will attract more people. Due to the economy, everyone is looking for the best deals, saving money and will only spend if both opportunity and wine offer is good.”
酒 Jiuwine speak to Emil Teo, the brain behind the weekly concept tasting; “Six O’Clock Club and the face behind one of Singapore’s resounding wine merchants; Taste of Tradition, whom also owns Vermilion Wines and Spirits, Cellar Solutions, and Booze Wine Shop @ Republic Plaza.
Photos: (Above, first image) A Singaporean wine enthusiast in Booze’s tasting in August 2008. (Below) Mr. Emil Teo (left) posing for a picture during a tasting. Images courtesy of Booze Wine Shop Singapore and Booze @ Facebook.
File Photo: Booze Wine Shop in Singapore’s CapitaLand owned Capital Tower, which ceased operations in September 2008.
With the departure of Booze at Capital Tower in September 2008, we ask Emil on its choice and move to outside venues like bars and restaurants which of recent included One Rochester and Olde Cuban.
“Capital Tower’s lease ended in October 2008 and the floor space at Republic Plaza’s outlet was limited. With a new outlet (At Jalan Besar) opening in late 2009, we still have to host our Friday tastings. With various F&B outlets, we could explore newer areas while exposing wines to a larger audience. This creates awareness of Booze and the Six O’clock Club, as you noted last Friday, the crowd has also gotten livelier.
On the subject of Singapore being a host to a varied selection of wine tasting to choose from, we ask if Booze’s Six O’Clock concept and if it’s able to retain its competitive edge and uniqueness.
As you are aware, “Booze Wine Shop is the face of Taste of Tradition targeting private clients and the general public. Are are also able to tape on the wider wine import list Taste of Tradition possessing some 65 brands. Our brands and exclusivity edges us over other wine retail outlets. Plus wines we feature is only available at Booze Wine Shop and its Six O’clock Club.
We would like to add, the affordability of tasting without having to buy and a consistent weekly program and opportunities to learn and appreciate from both wines and the frequent visits from Taste of Tradition’s wineries visit, thus further the chances of sharing and questioning about the art of wine making, its basics from the industry’s experts.”
As to the organizer’s priorities when putting together a wine list.
Provenance, quality, price, and marketability (in that order).
Tips to first visitor to tasting wines.
Vote with your palate.
The Singapore wine consumer scene and how their participation relates to your firm.
“As our regular tasting travels and rotates around, the crowd is getting wider and varied with new faces appearing. I believe this relates to the local wine scene. Despite a downturn, wine is still a major drinking choice at restaurants, home dinners and parties. Prices might have dropped but exposure doesn’t. With better education and awareness, consumers will seek to try and learn more. As our tasting is accessible and affordable, we noticed visitors to many of our Six O’Clock Club are learners, new to wine consumption and appreciation.”
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The 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is a seductive wine with long cellaring capability, richness and pleasant flavors.
In a recent tasting organized by Booze Wine Shop in Singapore, we sipped through 3 wines, from Domaine de la Janasse, one of the rising or some say, risen Superstar from Southern Rhone, known to make superb Chateauneuf-du-Pape and value Côtes du Rhône red wines. For more information about Booze’s next Six O’Clock Club tasting events, please click here.
2007 Domaine de la Janasse Côtes du Rhône (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône) S$42.00.
14.0%. 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 15% Vieux Carignan and 5% Cinsault.
A value drink with freshness, blackberry spice and liquorice. Medium-bodied it has soft and lush black currant and a light texture on palate and finish. Drink between 2009 to 2010. 10/20 Tasted: February 2009.
2005 Domaine de la Janasse Côtes du Rhône Villages Terre d’Argile (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône) S$50.00.
14.0%. 1/3 Syrah 1/3 Grenache 1/3 Mourvèdre.
Fresher and more aromatic, with deep black cherry and spice. Medium-bodied, with a refreshing acidity to wake your senses, and balanced with a smooth blend of sweet berries and a light peppery finish. Drink between 2009 to 2012. 12/20 Tasted: February 2009.
2004 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône) S$130.00.
15.0%. 80-year old 90% Grenache vines and with the rest Syrah and Mourvedre.
A seductive and with a long cellar life ahead, the 2004 VV gets better, moving several notches up its quality ladder with density, richness, and depth. Very floral, with layers of blue and black berry, further complicated by subtle mineral and licorice undertones. Rich on the palate with a full-bodied mouth feel, accompanied by expansionary flavors of more smooth texture, silky tannin which lends this cuvee finesse on top of its core sweet dark fruit. Good medium length and memorizing finish. Very good. Best from 2010 to 2023. 15/20 Tasted: February 2009.
Further Reading: Domaine de la Janasse.