We have written before about 1855 The Bottle Shop’s biannual sales event- Wine and Whisky week. Since we make it a point to pick up some good buys each time, we were wondering when it would return.
So, right on time, the April 2019 edition, which will be its seventh, has arrived to solve the world’s (or at least our) greatest problem- a lack of booze.
Wines
1855 has always had a good selection of wine at all ends of the price spectrum, and the previous events have proved it. While some of the gems from the last couple events will still be available (say, the La Piu Belle), there will of course, be some new ones available for our drinking pleasure at the upcoming WWW.
This time around, however, wines will be grouped by aroma to better aid our discovery. Helpful, if you don’t already have a preference, or feel a little whimsical when shopping. The categories are mineral, fruit, spice and earth.
Mineral: Wines with a mineral quality, which reflects in both the texture, and in the aroma- almost stonelike even slightly metallic. Think of a stream running over pebbles. The showcase wine was Dr. Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Riesling GG 2017 (Retail: $76; WWW: $59), a fresh, dry Riesling from the Mosel Region. We think it’s a decent buy at this price, and particularly suitable for our scorching heat.
Spice: With aromas similar to cloves, anise and even pepper, wines in this category tend to be red, as the Paul Jaboulet Aîné Les Cèdres Châteauneuf du Pape 2015 (Retail: $84; WWW: $68) shows. Châteauneuf du Pape, an appellation from the Rhone region in France, tends to have wines that are powerful, robust, and high in alcohol, and the Paul Jouboulet is no exception.
Oak: The smell of wood, a touch of spice or even nuts. The Château Larose Trintaudon 2009 (Retail: $65; WWW: $52), a wine from the Medoc in Bordeaux, fits the bill. Of course, the Bordeaux is more affordable than even an average Burgundy Pinot Noir, and $52 is certainly quite a good price for this particular Haut Medoc, which has the typical plum flavours, but also a nice minty, green backbone.
Fruit: Think of a basket of ripe plums, or crushed berries, and you’ll have a good picture of a fruity wine. In this category, we tried the Château Marsyas Rouge 2011 (Retail: $83; WWW: $65), a wine from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. While not much wine emerges from Lebanon, those that do make it to our shores tend to be of high quality. The Marsyas has a French ancestry, with its Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a bit of Syrah. Yet, the wine is much more full-flavoured and powerful than most Bordeaux wines we have tried. Redolent with plums, cherries and blackcurrants, it’s our pick for the best value of the lot.
And Whisky…
It being Wine and Whisky Week, there are certainly lots of whiskies to choose from, and the new Game of Thrones Single Malts will be one of the highlights this year.
While we’ve covered it before, you can take a quick look for yourself. If dragons and dwarves are not to your taste, perhaps the Old Pulteney series or some Macallans will be up your alley. For fans of Japanese whisky, every WWW has included a selection of malts from the Land of the Rising Sun, and we expect that this edition will be no different.
Oh, and the ultra-rare Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare – Port Ellen will also be on sale. Be on the lookout.
And, the Week
Well, if any of the wines and whiskies have piqued your interest, the event details are below:
1855 The Bottle Shop’s Wine & Whisky Week 7.0
Date: 30th April 2019 to 12th May 2019
Venue: Suntec City East Atrium, Level 1, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983 (Between Tower 3 & 4)
Time: 11am to 10pm, daily
As always, it is free to enter and even sample some of the wines and whiskies on offer, so it’s always worth a trip down to take a look. We know we will.
If you’re looking for more information, check out the official website here.
