Photos from the 2007 Les Fruits De La Vigne

Champagne Devaux Cuvee ‘D’ Brut, 1996, Bollinger NV

Yering Station, Reserve Chardonnay 2002

Service of the Château Leoville-Las Cases, 1985

Borgogno, Barolo Riserva, 1961

Guests enjoying Mr. James Halliday & Jose Manuel Ortega (O.Fournier Wines) commentary.

Mr. James Halliday trying on of the 18 fine wines served with the degustation meal.

Chef Emmanuel Stroobant preparing the St. Pierre Signature Black Cod.

The 24-Hour Roasted Wagyu Beef with Extract of Black Olive, Almond and Coffee

An Event Like No Other!

Hermitage Wine’s inaugural “The Fruits of the Vine” , was a wine event like no other, surprising and entertaining almost 100 guests on Thursday 29th November 2007.

Les Fruits De La Vigne, held in the premier, private main dining room of The Tower Club, Singapore provided guests with a journey of senses - surrounded by the striking artwork of surprise guest artist, Dr. Rajinder Singh, each guest was served 18 tasting glasses of rare and unique wines paired for contrast and comparison by the expertise of Mr. James Halliday (guest host on the evening), and Mr. Robert Joseph.

Vintage Wine highlights included:
The Chateau Doisy Daëne, 1953 from Sauterne/Bordeaux, France. Followed by the stand out, Yering Station, Reserve Chardonnay, 2002, Yarra Valley, Australia paired with the Domaine Leflaive, Pugliny Montrachet, 2003, Burgundy France.

The Rubicon Estate, Rubicon 2003, from Napa Valley, USA paired with the Parker Estate, First Growth 1998, Coonawarra, Australia and Château Leoville-Las Cases, 1985 from St. Julien/Bordeaux, France.

While the O.Fournier, Alfa Crux, 2002 from Medoza, Argentina and Marques de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva 1998, Rioja, Spain surprisingly, delighted guests by outshining the Vega Sicilia – Unico Blend (1985/1988/1990), Ribera del Duero, Spain.

Guests attending this event were able to indulge in this ambitious wine menu, whilst listening to Mr. Halliday and featured guest wine makers, Darren Rathbone – Technical Director, The Rathbone Wine Group and Jose Manuel Ortega, President of O.Fournier Wines discuss and debate both their own wines featured and the compelling pairings. There was even reminiscing to be shared between Iain Riggs - Chief Winemaker and Managing Director of Brokenwood Wines and James Halliday, over the Brokenwood, Graveyard Shiraz, 1998, from the Hunter Valley, Australia, the mythical “La Chapelle” from Jaboulet and their adventures together at the Brokenwood vineyard.

This indulgent night would not have been complete without St. Pierre Restaurant’s Chef Emmanuel Stroobant and his exciting degustation menu. 8 courses were enjoyed with highlights including the Lobster Bavarois with Atlantic Crab Salad and Avocado Mousse, and the 24-hour roasted Wagyu Beef with extract of Black Olive, Almond and Coffee – all serve with great efficiency by The Tower Club management and staff in the face of an extremely unique and one of kind, program.

The night was sent off with a grand note of charity, with Dr. Rajinder Singh auctioning one of his award winning masterpieces to a Les Fruits De La Vigne guest, raising SGD$7,000 for the M’Lap Tapang New Day Centre in Cambodia. A resounding finale shared by all, with Portuguese, Dow’s Vintage Port, 1977 as the evening wrapped up in the early hours!
An Event like no other…

(Pictures will follow!)

Surprise Guest Artist!

Hermitage are proud to announce the presence of extremely talented and globally recognised artist Dr. Rajinder Jit Singh at Les Fruits De La Vigne!

Dr. Raj Singh will be both displaying and creating his amazing artwork pieces live at Les Fruits De La Vigne, one of his pieces from the Faces series is inserted to the right:

About the artist
Visual artist, Rajinder Singh, lives and works in Singapore. He was born in Ipoh, Malaysia and lived in United Kingdom for a big part of his life, before moving to Singapore in 1995. He has been painting since an early age and won the first accolade for his work at the age of 12. After an intense tutorship under a veteran English artist, James Holdsworth in 2002, Rajinder made his comeback to painting.

Rajinder has been painting, sculpting and making films for several years now. He has had several successful exhibitions and his art has been purchased by prominent households and businesses from around the world. Major patrons of the artist are Farouk Khan of Malaysia, Baron Gonzalve Bich (of BIC conglomerate) and Franck Duboeuf (of George Duboeuf wines). He is represented by the prestigious Artfolio@ Raffles and Darling Muse@Bukit Pantai galleries in South Asia.

Rajinder has had a successful academic career with five academic degrees including a PhD in Engineering Mathematics. His background in Mathematics is the driving force behind his successful art practice. Rajinder hosts a popular Singapore art blog (http://sightoracle.blogpsot.com) which runs a commentary on the Singapore art scene with reviews, interviews and philosophical discourses and has been the unofficial site for the Singapore Biennale 2006. His work has been shown in contemporary, international art portals such as SPUNK and DUUDLE and has been described as modern and carries a message of change.

Rajinder is presently doing his postgraduate studies in Philosophy of Art. He has recently been selected as one of the top 20 emerging artists from Asia in a juried competition in Hong Kong which will be launched in London in 2008. He is also the artist ambassador for the super-premium wine from Tuscany, Cappannelle and a winner of the highly sought after Marina Mandarin artist residency program in Singapore. In 2007, Rajinder will be showing in London France, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Korea, New York and Argentina in 2007/2008.

Official Event Partners

The Tower Club – Official Event Host & Venue:

Opened in January 1997, Tower Club Singapore is a subsidiary of City Developments Limited and has been established as the nation’s premier private business club, it is situated on the 62nd – 64th penthouse floors of the award-winning Republic Plaza building, in the hub of the business district.
It is here that the prestige and value of international networking and the exchange of information is at its height. It is here where you’ll be proud to entertain.


Lexean Magazine – Official Media Partner

Lexean Magazine will participate in and support Les Fruit De La Vigne, this media company publishes a prestigious, intellectual and lifestyle magazine, which will provide pre and post-coverage of the event.

Schott-Zwiesel - Official Glass Partner

Schott Zwiesel: The "glass for professionals" - for everyone's enjoyment
The Schott Zwiesel brand has become established as the world market leader in top-class bars, hotels and restaurants











The Hidden Host – Official Event Organizer:

A boutique event management company based in Singapore. With several years experience throughout Asia, The Hidden Host deliver diverse events ranging from small private functions to large scale corporate dinners – Hidden Host’s featured Chef Rob Staedler will be present on the evening .

Official Sponsors

M’Lop Tapang New Day Centre – Selected Charity:

M'Lop Tapang was created with the goal of giving street children access to the learning tools, resources, and opportunities they need to empower themselves and become productive members of society. We do this by offering regular meals, shelter, medical care, education, counseling, and protection from all types of abuse.

M'Lop Tapang strives to provide a safe haven for all of the street living and street working children of Sihanoukville.

Bravo Lifestyle – Event Sponsor:

As distributors for premium golf and lifestyle products Bravo Lifestyle provide the Singapore consumer with quality and innovative technology in line with the today’s sophisticated Asian golf player.

Kitchen Culture – Event Sponsor:

Kitchen Culture are the retail outlets for KHL Marketing’s imported kitchen cabinetry and major appliances. Kitchen Culture provide state of the art, and the service the constant changes in kitchen technology and design to their clients. Often regarded as the kitchen architects in their industry – Kitchen Culture provide the environment and design for enjoy life’s finer things.. Particularly food and wine!

The 18 Fine Wines Announced.

The 18 fines wines to be featured in Les Fruits De La Vigne have been announced!
Please find below a list of the wines organised with the following details:

Producer, Region, Country, Name of Wine, Vintage

CHAMPAGNE

Bollinger, Champagne, France, Special Cuvee, NV
Veuve A Devaux, Champagne, France, Cuvee "D" Devaux Brut, 1996


WHITES (Old & New World)

O. Fournier, Chile, Centauri, 2007
Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac Leognan / Bordeaux, Domaine de Chevalier, 2000
Yering Station, Yarra Valley, Australia, Reserve Chardonnay, 2002
Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France, Puligny Montrachet Les Combettes, 2003
Chateau Doisy Daëne, Sauterne / Bordeaux, France, Chateau Doisy Daine, 1953


REDS

New World

Parker Estate, Coonawarra, Australia, Bordeaux Blend, 1998
Brokenwood, Hunter Valley, Australia, Graveyard Shiraz, 1998
Rubicon Estate, Napa Valley, USA, Rubicon, 2003
O. Fournier, Mendoza, Argentina, AlfaCrux blend, 2002

Old World

Marques de Murrieta, Rioja, Spain, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva, 1998
Armand Rousseau, Burgundy, France, Clos de la Roche, 1996
Capannelle, Tuscany, Italy, Solare, 1997
Chateau Leoville Lascase, St Julien / Bordeaux, Chateau Leoville Lascase, 1985
Borgogno, Piedmont, Italy, Barolo Riserva, 1961
NV Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero, Spain, Unico NV, Blend: 85/88/90
Paul Jaboulet, Rhone, France, La Chapelle, 2000


OTHERS

Dow's, Douro Valley, Portugal, Port, 1977
Toro Albala, Montilla-Moriles/Andalusi, Spain, Pedro Ximenez Gran Reserva, 1971

The Important Event Details!

Les Fruits De La Vigne
An event like no other, Les Fruits De La Vigne is a wine dinner that aims to entertain and emphasize their guest’s high-end lifestyle and leisure predilection - by combining over 18 fine wines, paired with exquisite food and featuring globally recognized guest speakers in an elegant atmosphere.

To be held at The Tower Club,
Thursday, November 29th 2007.
18 wines will be paired with an option of two degustation menus:

The Western Experience; created by Tower Club Resident, Executive Chef Felicien Cueff.

The Orient Experience; created by Tower Club Resident Chef Wan Chung Hang.

With the influence and expertise of St. Pierre’s; Chef Emmanuel Stroobant, assisted by the Hidden Host’s; Chef Rob.

Tickets are available for purchase, SG$650++ per guest through info@thehiddenhost.com (Incentive prices can be provided for bookings for groups of 10 or more)

Tower Club members can proceed to purchase tickets with the Tower Club – please contact the Club directly for members-only ticket price.

NEW Winemaker Guests!

Les Fruits De La Vigne is delighted to confirm two new guests to our event on November 29th.
Featured Winemakers Darren Rathbone and Jose Manuel Ortega.

Darren Rathbone

Technical Director – The Rathbone Wine Group

Graduating from Chemical Engineering at Melbourne University in 1995, Darren began work in the wine industry, planting his uncle's vineyard, Laura Barnes, in the Yarra Glen. The Rathbone family purchased Yering Station in 1996 and Darren commenced the planning of a new winery and tourism complex, overseeing its development and construction.
Travelling to France, Darren spent time working with Champagne Devaux’s Head Winemaker, Claude Thibaut. The knowledge he acquired of the traditional Champagne making method, determined the design of equipment for producing ‘Yarrabank’, a joint venture between Devaux and Yering Station. After completing vintage in France , Darren returned to partake in Yering Station’s first vintage in the new winery in 1997. This was also Darren’s first winemaking experience in Australia.

In late 1997, Darren travelled to Chateau Lynch Bages in the Paulliac region of Bordeaux to work vintage with their winemakers. In 1999, Darren was accepted into UC Davis in California, internationally recognised as one of the world’s best wine schools. He completed the two-year Masters of Food Science, Enology program. During his stay in California, Darren worked at two small, high quality Napa Valley wineries, Spottswoode and Etude, for the 2000 harvest. After finishing the Masters program, Darren travelled to Burgundy, working at Domain Moreau in Chassagne Montrachet, in the Cote de Beaune and assisting in the production of the 2001 vintage. Whilst in France, he also returned to Champagne and Bordeaux, and travelled through the Rhone Valley.

Darren returned to Australia and Yering Station in December of 2001, as a winemaker, and a director of the company. Today Darren shares his time and expertise between the four Rathbone family wineries. His experience, in Australia and overseas, adds to the depth of resources that contribute to making Mount Langi Ghiran an internationally renowned and recognised winery.



Jose Manuel Ortega

President - O. Fournier

The O. Fournier Winery

Bodegas Hnos. San Juan López, now Bodegas y Viñedos O.Fournier, was originally founded by the San Juan family from Aranda de Duero (Burgos). The winery was built in 1979, a few years ahead of the creation of the Denominación de Origen Ribera de Duero.

First vines at the vineyard were planted in 1946.

On September 2002, Bodegas y Viñedos O.Fournier Group purchased the winery and vineyards in order to continue with the development of the quality of the wines and become one of the leading wineries in Ribera de Duero.


The winery´s objective is to produce high quality wines using grapes from our vineyards with a total production of 250,000 bottles from a current 80,000 bottles. Marian Santamaría is responsible for producing the wine. José Spisso, Head Winemaker for the Group, assists her during his trips to the Ribera del Duero winery.

Bodegas y Viñedos O.Fournier is producing three wines:

- Alfa Spiga, our top wine, will stay approximately 18 months in new oak every year and at least one year in the bottle.

- Spiga, our second wine, is aged approximately 12 months in oak barrels (new and first use barrels) and six to 12 months in the bottle.

- Urban Oak Ribera, a wine aged 3 months in French oak barrels.

- Blason

Les Fruits De La Vigne looks forward to welcoming these expert winemakers to our event!

NEW Featured Guest Speaker!

James Halliday
James Halliday is one of Australia's most respected wine writers and one of its most senior wine judges. In the past 35 years he has combined his career as a partner in a large national law firm (1966-1988) with that as a vigneron, first in the Hunter Valley from 1970, then in the Yarra Valley from 1985.

In 1970, James Halliday co-founded Brokenwood winery in the Hunter Valley. He went on to found Coldstream Hills in the Yarra Valley in 1985. In addition, he has had winemaking experience in France, including a vintage with Domaine Dujac in Burgundy.

James Halliday has written and co-authored over 40 books on wine since 1979 and has contributed to numerous others, including Jancis Robinson's Oxford Companion to Wine and the Larousse Encyclopedia of Wine. His books have received numerous awards.

A wine judge since 1977, James Halliday has been recognised at the highest level for his contribution to the wine industry.

Our Host and Special Confirmed Guests.

Official Guest Host: Arnaud Compas
The event will be hosted by Hermitage Wine’s industry consultant. Arnaud has been in the wine industry for more than a decade. Over the years, he has worked in many renowned wine establishments in London and provides consultancy to many of the Michelin starred restaurants.





Featured Guest Speaker: Robert Joseph
Robert Joseph is a well known British-born wine expert and writer. In 1984, with Charles Metcalfe, he launched Wine International Magazine and the London International Wine Challenge, which grew to become the world's biggest wine competition. Since then Joseph has also launched International Wine Challenges in Asia (China, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, and Hong Kong) and Russia.

He was the wine correspondent of the Sunday Telegraph for sixteen years, until 2001, and is the author of more than 28 books, twice winning the Glenfiddich award for wine writing. He wrote an annual Robert Joseph Good Wine Guide (published by Dorling Kindersley) which in 2004 was named as best Wine Guide in the world by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. He has judged and/or chaired wine competitions in France, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Portugal and the USA, He is one of the members of le Grand Jury Européen, a Chevalier de Tastevin and a member of the Commanderie du Bontemps du Médoc et des Graves in Bordeaux. In 2006, he helped to launch and became editor at large of Wine Business International magazine.

Robert Joseph regularly appears on television and radio in the UK and overseas to talk about wine. He is also a keynote public speaker at international wine trade conferences and events and hosts regular tastings for private groups. In 1997, he was named by Decanter Magazine as one of the 50 people who would be influencing the way people would drink in the 21st century.

Featured Guest Speaker & Winemaker: Iain Riggs - Brokewood Wines.

Iain Riggs, Managing Director, Chief Winemaker and a part owner of Brokenwood, has taken Brokenwood from a small “hobby” winery and into the national arena. He first worked at Bleasedale and Hazelmere in McLaren Vale. At Hazelmere, he sparked his interest in varietal blending and was one of the pioneers of the now-famous combination of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. At Hazelmere, Iain, as Chief Winemaker, focused on white wines, and was crowned McLaren Vale Bushing King in 1982 with his multi-trophy-winning Chardonnay.

The owners of Brokenwood, keen to grow their business and expand into white wine production, offered Iain the job of Chief Winemaker in 1982. That year, a new winery was built. Iain’s skills in white winemaking revolutionised Brokenwood, which, when Riggs joined, produced only red wines. A year into his tenure, with the 1983 vintage, production levels changed to 70% white wine and 30% red.

Iain is also known as one of Australia’s Shiraz specialists. There are seven Shiraz in the portfolio - the single vineyard Graveyard Vineyard, Rayner Vineyard, Mistress Block and Wade Vineyard Block 2 Shiraz under the Brokenwood label, and Seville Estate Shiraz and the area blend Brokenwood Shiraz and Hunter Shiraz. “Generosity of flavour in a consumer friendly style” is his philosophy in winemaking.

Iain is also a regular show judge for capital city and international wine shows, including the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, Chairman of the Hunter Valley Wine Show, and deputy chairman of Wine Australia, the biggest wine exhibition in the Southern hemisphere. Iain was also awarded the Graham Gregory Trophy for outstanding service to the NSW Wine Industry for 2003.


Guest Chef: Emmanuel Stroobant's
To represent the unique and rare qualities of the wines to be served - Les Fruit De La Vigne sought an equally talented and adventurous chef:

Stroobant’s modern French Cuisine with a hint of Japanese influence resulted in famous restaurant Saint Pierre conferred with the “Most Innovative Menu” and “Best Dish Award” at Singapore’s 2001 Gourmet Hunt, and was a two time recipient of the Christofle New Restaurant of the Year award at the Awards of Excellence 2002 and 2003.

The talent behind the establishment, much of the restaurant’s success is due to the commitment and passion of Emmanuel. Trained in a classic 3-michelin star restaurant in Brussels for four years, it appears that this experience greatly benefited him.

Hermitage Flagship Wine Store - One Marina Boulevard

The 1000 sqft shop is strategically located at One Marina Boulevard ( previously known as NTUC Centre) The retail side of the store known as "The Library" is packed floor to ceiling with wines, and follows the small one-off trader tradition of good European wine store concept. The concept, a cross between a wine bar and a wine shop, offers fine wines and light food from 7am to 10pm.

It is designed to encourage customers to try better quality wine without burning a hole their pockets . These would be of better value customers would normally have to pay exorbitant mark-ups in various wine bars around the Central Business District . Hermitage makes this affordable to many by charging a minimal corkage fee for wine drunk in store, whatever the value of the bottle.


The design of Hermitage employs different display methods to imply quality - simple shelving at the front melts back into more individual shelving formed from high quality wine packing cases for fine wines at the rear. Bottles stored in high level racks are accessed with the help of a chunky and functional mobile library ladder. Cozy interior sitting areas known as the "Burrow" is provided for those lingering over wine tasting and food from the compact rear kitchen.

Hermitage Wines'

Hermitage Wines was established in 2002 by Mr. Arnaud Compas. The London-based consultancy group started out in fine-wine brokering and has since successfully expanded into a series of fine wine retail shops in the United Kingdom. Besides retail, it offers valuable consultancy and procurement services to wholesale operators in the United Kingdom. It now opens its first Asian-centric office in Singapore, the SEA wine hub and second largest consumption of fine wine after Hong Kong.

Their Singapore operation was set up in November 2006. It aims to offer services ranging from wine broking, retail sales to hosting of wine tasting events. In the process, Hermitage aims to play a value-adding and creation role by offering a unique variety of wine-related products and services which is different from the existing market.

It's mission is to appeal to just the mass affluent but also to diverse group of wine clientele, be it social casual wine lovers or wine connoisseurs.

Les Fruits De La Vigne - November 2007

Welcome,
Les Fruits De La Vigne is Hemitage Wines' foremost event for fine wine connoisseurs and aspirational drinkers wishing to partake in some of the most exquisite wine samples from around the world.

Designed with the interest to establish Les Fruits De La Vigne as an annual highlight of Asia's wine industry and consumer market's social calendar - no detail has been spared.

Further details will be released as we edge closer to this exciting event - to be held in November 2007 - Ensure you visit this blog regularly to receive updates.

Many thanks.