Announcement on the Wines and Food to be Featured at the Dinner!

Les Fruits De La Vigne
Friday, 10th October 2008, 7PM
“The Mystery of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir”

We are delighted to confirm the outstanding wines and menu composed by Chef Emmanuel Stroobant for the 2008 Les Fruits De La Vigne. A night of indulgence and delight, we invite you to join us on the 10th October for this one of a kind celebration of terroir and winemaking.

Wines:
Champagne Devaux – Cuvee Ultra D, NV ~ Bollinger Grande Annee 1999 ~ Capannelle Chardonnay 2006 ~ Etienne Sauzet Puligny Montracet Les Referts 2002 ~ Bonneau Du Martray Corton Charlemagne 1996 ~ John Forrest Collection Pinot Noir 2004 ~ Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2006 ~ Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir 2003 ~ Bass Philip Premium Pinot Noir 2001 ~Domaine Dujac Clos St Denis Grand Cru 2004 ~ Domaine Ponsot Chapelle Chambertain 1999 ~ Domaine Serene Oregon Evanstead Reserve Pinot 1996 ~

Canapés
Spanner crab, sable potato and seaweed spherification, Blow-torched “green school prawn’
Tempura of nori crusted red mullet, Momotaro tomato and iberico ham
Sherry vinegar ceviche of blue fin tuna and piquillos

Coquille St. Jacques - Ravioli of scallop sashimi with hazelnut oil, roasted fennel salad and green crab consommé

Flash-grilled tiger prawn with brunoise of black olive, edamame and olive oil, confit of cherry tomato and homemade langoustine essence

Saumon Fume “Maison” green tea smoked Scottish salmon, brioche crouton, yuzu scented avocado mousse and fresh herb jelly

Pillow of wagyu beef carpaccio and foie gras terrine, micro cress, instant pickled cucumber and rice wine-soy dressing

Black cod matellote with pearl onion, wild Japanese mushroom, bone marrow and pomme mature

Kurabuta pork belly roasted for 36 hours, warm salad of green lentils and mirin caramelised ika

Assorted farmed burgundian cheese, marmalade of fresh figs and toasted poilane bread

Coffee and tea with mignardies

The Tower Club, Singapore
Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

Tickets are SG$380 per guest (+ prevailing GST).
Corporate Partnership is available with the purchase of 5 tables (50 tickets) or more.
Tower Club members may purchase their tickets through The Tower Club.
While non-members please contact: Josephine@hermitagewine.com

Our Official Media Partner: Cuisine Wine Asia.

We are proud to announce that Cuisine Wine Asia have confirmed their participation with Les Fruits De La Vigne 2008 as official media partner!

Since its inception in 1996, Cuisine & Wine Asia (CW Asia) has grown from strength to strength and has evolved to become an internationally recognised F&B publication. Its goal is to serve as a dynamic and premium medium that strengthens and enhances communication among F&B and hospitality professionals, chefs and industry partners.

Endorsed by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS) in Asia, and as one of the supporting official publications of many gourmet and specialty events such as Alsace Meets Asia 2008, FoodHotelAsia, Singapore Food Festival and World Gourmet Summit; CW Asia boosts interaction and affiliations that ultimately benefit all parties in the future.

With an expanded wine coverage and renowned wine personalities like Serena Sutcliffe, David Peppercorn, Jancis Robinson, James Halliday and Andrew Caillard as the magazine’s regular wine contributors in 2008, Cuisine & Wine Asia is fast becoming the wine magazine of choice for wine connoisseurs, wine distributors and wineries.

Cuisine & Wine Asia not only gives you a unique opportunity to penetrate the Asian and worldwide market, but also to maximise your advertising dollar with its value-added packages and benefits. These range from advertisement and advertorial development, cookbook consultancy, menu design, product packaging design, as well as in-house photography services.

Also be sure to make use of the available banner space on the publication’s website (asiacuisine.com), complete with a hyperlink to respective advertisers’ websites. With all this and more, you can be sure that CW Asia’s communication services are tastefully and professionally executed to your satisfaction.

Our honoured guests for Les Fruits De La Vigne 2008

We are pleased to provide you the profiles of our honoured guest chef , guest host & showcased artist for the Les Fruits De La Vigne 2008:



Chef Emmanuel Stroobant

The “Chef in Black”, Emmanuel Stroobant's beginning was vastly different from others. He started his culinary career washing plates in a restaurant and aspired to be a lawyer. However, the will of heaven was not to be defied, at the age of 18, he enrolled in a culinary institute and the rest was history. Working in 3-Michelin-star awarded restaurants, Stroobant built up his foundation which allowed him to experiment so much with his creativity and courage in the later stage of his career and bring the life into French cuisine.

French Cuisine does not stop at France when dining at Saint Pierre, with Stroobant’s modern French Cuisine with a hint of Japanese influence - Saint Pierre has been 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.



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, India and Hong Kong) and Russia.

Robert was also 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.

While most recently Joseph has participated in the International Symposium at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2008 « Understanding Wine Trends: More than Branding vs. Terroir » as Moderator and launched his own range of outstanding wines under R-Wines.

Robert is the author of the Joseph Report and has been voted one of the 50 most likely people to influence the way people drink in the 21st century.

Anna Pakula

Anna Pakula is a renowned international Wine consultant, wine photojournalist - wine reporter and creative visual culture of wine communicator. Les Fruits De La Vigne will be honoured this year to not only host Anna as guest for the event, but also showcase some of her outstanding visual art work, touching all senses through the art of wine making through the four season around the world.

Today, Anna, who devotes a substantial portion of her time in the vineyards and cellars of some of the most highly respected wine producers in the world, International Wine Trades Shows, international wine competitions, effectively draws upon her diverse background, energy, talent and international experiences to provide a comprehensive array of services to the wine industry.

Anna will provide a visual & sensory experience for guests at the Les Fruits De La Vigne 2008 at the cocktail prior to dinner. With photography of the finest terroir and vineyards from around the world inspiring guests exploration and inspiration.

The 2008 Les Fruits De La Vigne! 10th October 2008

We are delighted to announce the second annual Les Fruits De La Vigne event will be held on the 10th October 2008!

To build on the major success of the inaugural event in 2007, Les Fruits De La Vigne 2008 will remain adventurous in its spirit of providing guests rare and much sought after wines and paired food in a prestigious environment, while distinguishing itself this year, with a particular focus on a special theme of ‘terroir exploration’.

The theme “The Mystery of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir” will take guests on an exploration of the legacy of Burgundy’s most recognized varietals; Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

While extracting the hidden jewels of global terroir with the finest selection of the most outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reserves from around the world.

To be held in the prestigious Tower Club Singapore, the menu will be prepared by Guest Chef Emmanuel Stroobant, from the highly awarded St. Pierre Restaurant, Singapore.

The night’s wine pairing will be guided and discussed by honorary guest Mr. Robert Joseph, World acclaimed wine expert and writer and key winemakers yet to be announced.

Finally, to emphasize the intimate relationship between art & wine, in such a prestigious setting, we are honored to also host, Anna Pakula, International Wine consultant to feature her outstanding photography within the event’s ballroom.

Please contact info@redandwhite.net should you be interested to attend, or simply find out more!

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.