I decided a couple of months back to do something a bit adventurous and signed up for the Ultimate Parker In Asia wine grand tasting event. I even got a ticket for my father in law.
So, on the 1st and 2nd of May, I spent the entire weekend sipping fine wine at the Fullerton Hotel Singapore. We did see Robert Parker, but he was too busy with his book signing event to socialise with anyone.
Besides tasting hundreds of fine wines at the Grand Tasting, participants to the event were allocated 3 master classes each, and I chose to attend the following wine master classes; Fine Wines of Austria, The Rise of Cool Climate Syrah/Shiraz Around The World and Landmark Australia.
For Fine Wines of Austria, we tasted the following wines.
2008 Huber Gruner Veltliner, Berg
2008 Jurtschitsch Gruner Veltliner, Kaferberg
2007 Salomon Undhof Kogl Reserve Reisling
2008 Leth Roter Veltliner, Scheiben
2007 Reinisch Rotgipfler Reserve
2007 Temend Sauvignon Blanc, Zeiregg
While Austria is primarily a white wine producing country, we were also fortunate to try some of their best reds.
2006 Juris Pinot Noir, Haide
2007 Markowitsch Rosenberg, Carnuntum
2006 Arachon T.FX.T. Arachon Evolution
2006 Weninger Blaufrankisch, Durrau
2005 Tschida TBA Samling
For The Rise of Cool Climate Syrah/Shiraz Around The World, we tasted a total of 9 wines.
2005 Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz, Grampians, Victoria, Australia
2006 Heathcote Estate Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
2005 Yering Station Reserve Shiraz Viognier, Yarra Valley, Australia
2007 Shaw & Smith Shiraz, Adelaide Hills, Australia
2008 Man O'War Dreadnought Syrah, Waiheke, New Zealand
2007 Trinity Hills Homage Syrah Viognier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
2004 Paul Jaboulet Hermitage Petite Chapelle, Rhone Valley, France
2006 M. Chapoutier Cote Roti Les Becasses, Rhone Valley, France
plus a mystery wine, which I forgot to note down, haha!
The last wine master class we attended was Landmark Australia, simply because the bulk of wines we find in Singapore today is mostly from Australia.
Landmark Australia introduces 11 great wines:
2003 Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley
2002 Pewsey Vale The Countours Riesling, Eden Valley
2007 Shaw & Smith M3 Vineyard Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills
2008 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay, Margaret River
2008 De Bortoli Reserve Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley
2004 Wynns Coonawara Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra
2007 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
2007 Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter Valley
2005 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley
2006 Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley
Seppeltsfield 1909 Para Tawny, Barossa Valley
Yup, that last wine was actually a 101 year old Tawny!
Tasting that century old port wine was a humbling experience. I don't think it's on sale in Singapore, but make a trip to the Seppeltsfield estate, and they will sell you a small 375ml bottle for A$650!
101 year old wine! Now, that's definitely an experience!
