This October, the Singapore Wine Fiesta celebrates its 10th anniversary with the theme “The Best Of”. The goal: To bring you the best of all the elements that’s made its past editions so well-loved, from unlimited wine tastings to exclusive opportunities to learn from the winemakers themselves. Here are 7 great reasons to spend your weekend hours at this year’s Fiesta.
1. It’s a plethora of wine
Arm yourself with a tasting glass, and simply stroll around the fiesta all afternoon to savour more than 300 wines, from reds and whites to champagnes and rosés (or all of them – nobody’s judging!). This year, “The Best Of” Wine Fiesta will feature rare wines from some of the most established wineries around the world – such as Champagne Gosset, Barone Ricasoli, Marqués de Murrieta and Tapanappa – as well as some new producers who are emerging on the global wine scene.
2. It’s a fiesta with a weekend-long of feasting
Six renowned Singapore-based chefs will be whipping up a dedicated spread of gastronomic delights to complement the wines on showcase. For instance, you can pair the USA wines with flame-licked American BBQ goodness by chef Andrew Baldus from Meat Smith. Or let chef Drew Nocente from Aussie restaurant Salted and Hung transport you to the Adelaide Hills (or Margaret River), with stellar wines from those regions to match. Other chefs to sample from include: Felix Chong (Monti), Oliver Hyde (Maggie Joan’s), Petrina Loh (Morsels), and the good folks from Kilo.
3. Remember, it’s always wine o’clock… Somewhere
Even if it’s only mid-afternoon. Want to take it slow? Our reco: Sample the wineries’ plethora of light, crisp rosés, which are perfect to enjoy all day long. Some of this year’s pink palate-pleasers: AIX Rosé 2016 from Coteau d’Aix en Provence, France, with youthful notes of watermelon, strawberries and flowers; Pasqua 11 Minutes Rosé Delle Venezie 2016 from Veneto, Italy, which embodies the most noble qualities of the grapes, softly pressed for exactly 11 minutes; and Philippe Gamet Brut Rosé from Champagne, France, a delicate rosé with delicious notes of red currants and pears.
4. Everyone’s invited!
Whether you’re team red or white, and whether you drink with your pinkies up or not. After all, “there’s no right or wrong way to drink wine,” proclaims Kathy Lim-Sheehy, Group CEO of organiser The Straits Wine Company. So forget about intimidating, formal settings and all that fancy schmancy stuff. And immerse yourself in the convivial, casual atmosphere of the fiesta tent – overlooking Marina Bay – with wine connoisseurs and social drinkers alike.
5. Get an exclusive head start
Here’s a secret: The three-day celebration of all things wine-related actually kicks off the evening at the Winemakers’ Table Dinner (limited tickets at $150 per person). Seat yourself in the beautiful heritage restaurant Tamarind Hill in the Labrador Nature Reserve, and savour traditional and contemporary Siamese cuisine, along with wine pairings thoughtfully chosen by the winemakers and sommeliers. These same winemakers will be hosting tables too, so you may well be wined and dined, and still be educated on the libations by their creators themselves. Book your tickets here.
26 October 2017, 6.30-10.30pm
30 Labrador Villa Rd, Singapore 119189
6. Get wise about wine
More than 60 winemakers – and wine experts such as sommelier, wine commentator, educator, promoter and self-proclaimed professional wino Dan Sims – will be at the fiesta to share their knowledge and philosophies at informal forums called “wine circles” (where the audience and participants sit on wine crates to discuss wine). Discuss topics like what are the best cool wines for hot weather such as ours, wine pairing tips-and-tricks and listen to the winemakers share their amusing and (sometimes) adventurous tales.
7. Party it up
Surely, all of that wine will make your dancing a bit better, right? Don’t let your moves go to waste. Stay on for the special 10th anniversary after-party, with music curated by the folks at the hip Kilo Lounge. Still need a little more liquid courage? Bottles go for sale at discounted prices too. That, and oh, admission to the after-party is free. This might just be the best edition of the Wine Fiesta yet.
27 October 2017, 8-10pm; 28 October 2017, 6-10pm; 29 October 2017, 6-9pm