Singapore wine importers still manage to put the “social” in social distancing.
What can we all agree on about the Covid-19 Circuit Breaker? It sucks. Even after current circuit breaking measures are slowly lifted, experts are warning that social distancing will be the new normal. As restrictions are lifted, groups will be kept to a minimum. But life must go on, wine must be drunk, and Singapore has plenty of adaptable wine importers who have found ways to flow with the restrictions. Let’s take a look to see how local companies are bringing people together with wine, and why it may be just the thing you need in your new home-bound life.
For the Wine Nerds
Popular among enthusiasts and WSET students alike, wine quizzes are a fun way to either flex your wine knowledge chops or to be reminded of how much you’d rather just drink the stuff rather than learn a bunch of facts. Either way, they’re fun, casual, and easily conductible online.
Anyone can start a quiz to cater to any level. Planning and logistics can be kept to a minimum, all that’s needed is a few participants and some questions. Individuals are responsible for their own drinks and integrity (no secret googling!). For the easily intimidated, this might be a great way to start dipping your toes into wine geekery.
Connecting With the Wine World
Since they can’t travel to us, why not chat with them right where they are? Winemakers are just as excited as ever to share the fruits of their labor, and it’s easier than ever to connect with them and ask questions. (In your pyjamas.)
“I’ve been blown away at how receptive the winemakers are to connect with the people drinking their wines in Asia,” says Sarah Rodrigues, owner of Wine With Us. Rodrigues and her husband started the small importing company by researching highly rated wines with social proof on apps like Vivino to sell quality wines to her friends and family. Before the circuit breaker they were conducting small, private tastings, but have since adjusted to online video events.
A purchase of at least one bottle from the wine line-up is required to receive a link to join. Rodrigues kicks off the meeting with an introduction to the winemaker and asks a few questions, but mostly lets the winemaker do the story-telling. The second part of the call allows participants to ask questions about the wines they’re drinking and compare notes on aromas and tastes. “There can be a lot of disconnect between Singapore and the major wine producing regions, so it’s nice to see the people behind the bottles we’re drinking. Seeing their faces, listening to their stories, learning about the history, it reminds us how much effort they put into what’s in our glass,” says Rodrigues.
In High Demand
Wine tastings with popular winemakers have been even more in demand. When The Singapore Straits Wine Company announced a virtual masterclass with world famous winemaker Sarah Crowe of the multiple award winning Yarra Yering winery, all available 45 “seats” were sold out within 3 hours. On the day of the event, participants received a box of 6 sample bottles with a tasting mat and tasting notes. Patrick Sng, CEO of The Straits Wine Company, explained the process leading up to the tasting. “We maintain freshness of the wines by packaging them in small 60ml bottles to minimise oxidation, no more than 24 hours before the tasting.”
Other importers offering regular chats with wine-makers:
Champagne Everyday Based in Australia, this Champagne-centric group ensures it’s tastings are Singapore friendly by partnering with different wine importers carrying the featured winemaker’s product.
Angra Wine & Spirits With a big focus on Italian wines (though they carry an international selection), Angra CEO Giacomo Pallesi moderates a lively conversation with a different winery weekly.
Try it Blind (and make it personal)
Since the closing of their three outlets, 13% Gastro Wine Bar has also moved to similar style tastings, divvying up and delivering the wine the day of the tasting. Their team of wine professionals and enthusiasts have close, personal connections with the wineries from which they directly source, allowing them to offer a unique collection of “hidden gems” from lesser known estates and regions. When attending one of their curated blind tastings, you can expect to be surprised.
Focusing on tastings customised for private groups, Dacier says they’re able to be flexible with what they offer. “Some clients are very specific in what they want, but the returning groups often give us carte blanche to use our own judgement and surprise them.” Tasters will get a tasting sheet accompanying the wine samples, with the virtual session conducted in a traditional guided format, or with the wine expert jumping in at the end of the call to explain the wines and give results.
Other blind tastings to try:
Fine Wines Sg Their offering of premium wines has built an established following of connoisseurs, and have continued their blind, vertical and themed tastings throughout the circuit breaker.
The Future of Wine Events
What will be the future of wine events? To many oenophiles who’s wine experience has been built around social activity, online tastings can seem unfathomable. However while perceived as impersonal on the outset, many participants appreciate the anonymity. As Patrick Sng of Straits Wines explains, “some tasters prefer to have their videos turned off, which makes them more comfortable. During the Q&A they’re able to ask questions over chat; questions they might be embarrassed to ask in a large room of people.” Ironically, event hosts who contributed to the writing of this article reported an increase of guest interaction- an unanticipated upshot welcomed by industry professionals eager to talk about their passion.
Virtual visits from winemakers, winery owners and export managers will likely continue. “I think in the future we can expect to see a hybrid of virtual and physical tastings,” speculates Sng. His first foray into this type of hybrid was in late March before the circuit breaker, when a Spanish winery was unable to make the scheduled visit to a sold out dinner of 80 people. “We had to improvise with LED screens around the restaurant so we could still chat live with the winery’s export manager.” The dinner was a success and guests were impressed with the ability to adapt.
Silver Linings
While businesses around the globe have been blindsided by the halted economy, individuals’ thirst for a good vino has not waned. Most of us are longing for the day when we can freely share a bottle with friends or experience the gleeful joy of sitting at a table with fellow wine lovers, welcoming a winemaker who has flown across the globe to share the exquisite end product of their years- sometimes decades- long labour. But for the introverted, the lazy, the perpetually casual, intimidated or just plain busy, alternatives to physical meet-ups can be an attractive option that likely won’t go away soon.
