When someone invites you over for a highbrow soiree, showing up with a six-pack of beer just doesn’t cut it, no matter how good the beer is. Wine is a surefire way to class things up, particularly if you can memorise the story written on the back of the bottle. Here are five wine shops that will spare you the stress when you need to impress.
1855 The Bottle Shop
#01-27 TripleOne, 111 Somerset Rd., 6820-1855 (other outlets at Sixth Avenue, Serangoon Gardens and Raffles Place). Open daily 10am — 10pm.
Back in the day, the Old World was what the wine game was all about. Times have changed, and while Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons and New Zealand Pinots Noirs have caught up with the once out of reach estates of Bordeaux and Burgundy, France still produces some of the world’s best wines. You’ll find them all at 1855 The Bottle Shop. Named after the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 which ranked (and still ranks) the Bordeaux wine region’s best châteaux, 1855 stocks more than 800 wines (both Old and New World). This includes everything from the casual (2010 Pierre Henri Merlot, $23.50) to the distinguished (2003 Château Brane Catenac, $125) and the extraordinary (1945 Château Mouton Rothschild, $16,888).
Artisan Cellars
#B1-01 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd., 6838-0373. Open Mon — Sat 11:30am — 10pm.
If you consider yourself to be a bit of an aficionado and are happily familiar with the big names in wine from around the world, check in at Artisan Cellars. As the name suggests, they specialise in artisanal wines which are imported directly and exclusively. Artisan’s wine selection encompasses all of France’s prominent regions with Austria, Germany, New Zealand and the United States well represented. Their Champagne list is particularly awe-inspiring. If you’re looking for an alternative to Moët and Mumm, try Benoît Lahaye Blanc de Noirs Prestige ($87.74), a champagne made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes, or De Sousa Cuvée des Caudalies Blanc de Blancs ($130.54), produced according to the principles of biodynamic viticulture. All in all, Artisan stocks champagne from around 30 different houses.
Magma German Wine Bistro + Shop
2-4 Bukit Pasoh Rd., 6221-0634. Open Mon —Thu noon — 2:30pm and 6:30 —10:30pm; Fri noon — 2:30pm and 6:30pm — midnight; Sat noon — midnight; Sun 11am — 10:30pm; PH noon — 10:30pm
German wines aren’t appreciated nearly as much as they should be in Singapore, but Magma has been helping to change that for the past seven years. Their wine list exceeds 250, with 30 different grape varieties, 30 different producers and all 13 of Germany’s wine regions accounted for; one of the best collections outside Germany.The aromatic and fruity Riesling is the most prominent wine here (with over 100 on the list) and bottles from well-known producers like Fritz Haag ($132) and Prinz von Hessen (from $52) are available. Magma also offers interesting wines made from lesser-known grapes like Dornfelder, Elbling and Trollinger.
Merchants Wine Cellar & Store
52 Duxton Rd., 6222-1162 (also at Pasarbella). Open Mon — Thu 8am — 11pm; Fri 8am — midnight; Sat 9am — midnight; Sun 10am — 6pm.
Penfolds, Wolf Blass and Jacob’s Creek are household names around the world but there is far more to Australian wine than just the mega producers. Merchants is the place to go to discover boutique producers from McLaren Vale to Mudgee, the Great Southern region to Gippsland and beyond. This all-in-one wine stop is a café, bar and tasting room where up to 20 labels are available for sampling. There are more than 150 different options from wineries like Bass River (from $32), Sorby Adams (from $55) and Wild Fox Organic Wines (from $45).
Top Wines (Momento del Tesoro)
33 Tembeling Rd., 6468-3866. Open Mon 11am — 7pm; Tue — Fri 11am — 8pm; Sat 1:30 — 6pm.
For the wine drinker who demands variety in their glass, Top Wines delivers. They stock over 300 labels from 10 countries with grape varieties ranging from the familiar to the exotic. In the mood for a taste of Chile? Try the Anakena Single Vineyard Carmenere ($44). Prefer a wine from South Africa? Go for the 2009 Doolhof Signatures Pinotage ($52). Want something completely different? There’s the 2009 Magrez-Aruga Koshu ($206) from Katsunuma village, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Looking for a quality bottle from a region you recognize? The 2010 Xanadu Exmoor Drive Chardonnay ($52) from Margaret River is just the ticket. Top Wines also organizes frequent tastings and wine pairing dinners while sales see prices drop to as low as $9 a bottle.
Wine Connection
#01-19/20 Robertson Walk, 11 Unity St. (other outlets at Anchorpoint, Bukit Timah, Cuppage Terrace, East Coast, Greenwich V, Kallang Leisure Park, myVillage at Serangoon Garden and Nex). Open daily 10am —11pm.
When it comes to reach, it’s hard to look past Wine Connection. With 10 stores across Singapore including the bistro-bars at Robertson Walk and Cuppage Terrace, Wine Connection is one of the leading forces in making sure more people are drinking good wine. The chain carries about 500 different wines which includes a catalog of Italian vino (from $21) that will excite fans of Prosecco and Moscato. Many labels at Wine Connection come in at under $20, so its a great place to get that everyday bottle. As a bonus, they also retail a range of Belgian beers (from $5) and can satisfy all your wine accessory and glassware needs.
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