5 Reasons Wine You Should Head Strait For The Singapore Wine Fiesta 2016

20 Oct 2016

Zac L

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For the ninth year running, it is almost time for the annual Wine Fiesta held by The Straits Wine Company. The theme of the year is “RISING ROOTS”, where the fiesta will be celebrating sustainability and focusing on the providence of wine making through featuring four unique natural wine producers from the Basket Range region in Adelaide Hills and a few others from New Zealand and Australia.

The annual Wine Fiesta was established with the goal of educating wine lovers of any level. As the Group CEO of The Straits Wine Company, Ms Kathy Lim-Sheehy put forth to me, everything was established around the firm belief that wine can be enjoyed by anyone and from all walks of life.

Other than being crafted for anyone out there, here are the reasons why you should not miss this “wine-derful” event.

1. Taste Natural + Sustainable + Artisanal Wines

As The Straits Wine Company defines it, natural wines are wines “made with the least or no interventions”. While many winemakers these days prefer to control every step of the production process from farm to bottle, those that seek to embrace natural wine-making believe in allowing nature to take its course on the wines they produce.

I have to put forth that this was my very first time tasting natural wines. The immediately difference I noted was the colors of these wines, examples are some being very pinkish, and some a cloudy “ribena” color. The colors definitely challenge the mainstream rules that are used to rate wines.

Here, there is a new kind of freshness and the flavours of the grapes seem to be stronger. It achieved an added vibrancy to the flavours in the wines.

2. Meet The Wine Makers

To truly appreciate the beauty of natural wines, you have to meet the ones who lead the way in this movement and philosophy. These are the people with the intoxicating passion for natural artisanal wines that will provide all wine lovers with a new outlook to everything.

Winemakers from some of the most popular names of the Basket Range region, notably Lucy Margaux, Ochota Barrels, BK Wines and Commune of Buttons will be heading down for this event. You will get the exclusive opportunity to meet and hear directly from them. Other Winemakers from Carrick, CRFT and Ministry of Clouds will be there too!

3. Food, Food and More Food

With great wine comes the need for great food. The event will be further augmented by seven renowned Singapore-based chefs who will be creating a tasting experience that will delight your palates.

Seven renowned chefs based in Singapore, Andrew Baldus from Meat Smith, Dave Pynt from Burnt Ends, Michael Lewis from Tin Hill Social, Petrina Loh from Morsels, Rishi Naleendra from Cheek by Jowl, Ah Boy from Good Chance Popiah and Wanthana Nikonsaen from Tamarind Hill will each showcase three dishes to entice your tastebuds.

I tasted some of the dishes that will be available. All these showcased locally-souced ingredients and were paired with wines. The cuisines all had a local twist to it as well. For those that would love trying contemporary local cuisine, you will love the food here.

4. Hear about Wine Stories in the Wine Circle

Look out for the Wine Circle sessions that will be held twice a day at the Customs House during the event duration. This is about winemakers entertaining audiences with stories of their journeys as winemakers and their personal philosophies. Contrary to listening about the technical stuff behind winemaking, you can expect biography like stories. The concept is set as a story telling circle with the winemaker in the middle.

Enjoy your wines while being treated with a kind of intimacy through the listening of the lives of these interesting individuals, while overlooking Singapore’s beautiful and pristine waterfront view.

5. Activities You Can Wine-up At

Winemaker’s Table Night

Kicking of the fiesta on 20 October (6.30pm – 10pm), the Winemaker’s Table Dinner offers you the rare chance to sample 75 iconic wines and vintages with the respective winemakers playing hosts at their tables. You will also get to enjoy a dinner prepared by participating chefs and The Fullerton Bay Hotel.

Tickets are priced at $228++ per person and availability is limited.

Wine Masterclasses

Guests can participate in few master classes that focus on various wine-related topics. These educational experiences include an introduction to the differences between conventional and natural wines, a wine and food pairing class, an introduction to Chef Rish’s organic and biodynamic wine list, and a masterclass on different glassware and how they can bring out the best in wines.

Sample and Buy

Discover and taste from the 350 labels of wines that will be showcased during the fiesta. Learn and understand more about both the new-to-market labels and the renowned wines, and you will be on your way to stocking up with your favorite wines. Prices are expected to start from $30.