The Only Red that Matters this Season
With the festive season just around the corner, I am just reveling in the Christmas cheer! Making a list, checking it twice, going to find out who has been naughty or nice … to me this year.
If you are anything like me, Christmas is serious business and planning the Christmas party is no easy feat or finding a gift to bring to one that you have been invited to because we all know that showing up empty handed is just not classy.
We are challenged by our clients throughout the year and just to keep things interesting, we are now daunted with the challenge of planning the Christmas party but where do we even begin? Do not worry, my learned friends.
Just like how we support and assist each other during the course of this eventful year, I am here for you this festive season. As a budding oenophile*, I have always sought to entice my palate by discovering grapes grown and cultured in different countries and regions that fit perfectly in a bottle. That’s right, I am talking about the only red that matters this season – wine.
Because of my love of exclusivity and all things exquisite, my chosen wine supplier since I discovered my appreciation for wines has been Ewineasia** (trading as Alfa International Pte. Ltd.). They are one of the wine pioneers in South-East Asia since 2004 and offer an extensive range of wines from the Old and New World. They supply wines from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Morocco and even Syria!
But their biggest selling point, in my opinion, is that the wines purchased from them cannot be purchased anywhere else in Singapore as these wines are exclusive to them. Therefore, if anyone asks you where you bought the wine from and whether they purchase it at the local supermarket, all you need to say is “no, no you cannot.” Then throw in a wink at the end to add a bit of harmless cheek.
Ewineasia specialises in unique handcrafted, hard-to-find wines that are highly acclaimed and often only produced in allocated quantities which is a challenge for me at times because I have to fight with the masses to secure bottles. As an exclusive supplier, they work closely with dedicated winemakers to bring us the best of individual terroirs and joy this season!
With the experience of the Director of Ewineasia, Susy Santoso, we have personally chosen and curated a list of the great festive wines that would undoubtedly make your friends and colleagues wish they had your fine taste!
For those who enjoy easy drinking wines but appreciate elegance:
Marenco Pineto Brachetto D’acqui DOCG ($39)
Piemonte, Italy
100% Brachetto
Pairs well with strawberries, red fruit, sweets and fruit cakes
Elegant aromas of rose and raspberries; typical of the Brachetto grape.
Umani Ronchi Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2016/2017 ($39)Abruzzo, Italy
100% Montepulciano
Pairs well with pasta with meat sauces, roast white and red meat, chicken and rabbit chasseur, mix grills
Umani Ronchi Terre di Chieti Pecorino IGT 2017 ($43)Marche, Italy
100% Pecorino
Ideal with fish dishes, fresh cheese, pasta and legume soups
For those who appreciate structured wines with a longer finish:
Cervoles Colors Rouge 2015 ($47)Costers del Segre, Spain
Tempranillo 35%, Garnacha 20%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Merlot 15% and Syrah 10% (Organic)
Great versatility in gastronomy, perfect to enjoy standing up “by the glass” or account a nice well-dressed table.
Elias Mora Viñas Elías Mora 2015 ($47)Toro, Spain
100% Tinta de toro (Organic)
Red berry fruit, violet, liquorice and vanilla with notes of roasted coffee beans
Emilio Moro El Zarzal 2017 ($54)Ribera del Duero, Spain
100% Godello
Highlights a stone fruit base with subtle citrus aromas and white flowers. In the palate, it is fresh and bright with good weight and polished nuances.
Lis Neris Pinot Grigio 2017 ($56)Fruli, Italy
100% Pinot Grigio
Perfect with starters and seasonal first courses
For the sophisticated palate:
Poderi Boscarelli Nobile DOCG 2014 ($72)Tuscany, Italy
Grapes used in the vintage are 85% Sangiovese Prugnolo Gentile, with the remainder Colorino, Canaiolo and Mammolo.
The creation of an ideal wine that combines freshness, elegance, complexity and great aging potential
Champagne Boizel Blanc de Noirs N.V ($107)Champagne, France
100% Pinot Noir
A perfect aperitif, but just as sublime accompanying french cuisine, great with grilled chicken with wild mushrooms, veal chop with morels or with a delicious festival picnic.
Chateau Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac 2013($70)Bordeaux, France
75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
The delicately fruity bouquet offers accompanying floral notes with distinctly violet overtones. With a well-balanced structure, underpinned by silky tannins, this wine reveals impressive length.
La Manufacture Chablis Premier Cru ‘Cote de Lechet’ 2016 ($80)Burgundy, France
100% Chardonnay
Marvellous with seafood, white fish with savoury sauce, smoked salmon, grilled poultry and delicate aged cheeses
Whether you prefer light-bodied wines or full-bodied wines, we trust that you will discover your next favourite wine and bring gastronomy to a whole new level!
‘Tis the season to be jolly indeed!
* An oenophile is someone who loves and appreciates wine. To drink wine like a true oenophile, you have to first inspect the colour, then sniff it, then swish it around in your mouth. Don’t confuse oenophiles with winos, another name for alcoholics who like cheap wine.
** This is not a sponsored article. Ewineasia has been my primary wine supplier for years and I genuine recommend the wines they supply.
