Politics1 min read

Singapore’s wine scene has come a long way. The world is taking notice

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The Judgement of Singapore brought together an international panel of 15 judges at Resorts World Sentosa to blind-taste 24 global wines, primarily from the 2019 vintage. Co-led by Ronan Sayburn and Lisa Perrotti-Brown, the panel scored entries on balance, intensity, complexity, ageing potential, and singularity. The results saw Burgundy sweep the top five Chardonnay rankings, while Napa Valley's Vine Hill Ranch clinched a surprise victory over celebrated Bordeaux estates in the Cabernet Sauvignon category. This sophisticated showcase contrasts sharply with the city's early market, which historically relied heavily on heat-resilient red wines due to widespread white wine storage issues.

Key points

  • Singapore has established itself as an international hub for wine enthusiasts, auctions,…: Singapore has established itself as an international hub for wine enthusiasts, auctions, and major global tasting competitions.
  • Modern storage and infrastructure have allowed the local market to expand far beyond its…: Modern storage and infrastructure have allowed the local market to expand far beyond its historical dependence on heat-resilient red wines.
  • The Judgement of Singapore successfully provided a contemporary, Asia-based evaluation of…: The Judgement of Singapore successfully provided a contemporary, Asia-based evaluation of premier international wines alongside historic global benchmarks.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Once a small market with limited selection and challenging storage conditions, Singapore has grown into a destination for international wine events, auctions and a thriving community of enthusiasts.

The flagship event of Singapore Wine Week was a blind tasting called the Judgement of Singapore. It drew inspiration from a historic tasting held half a century ago in Paris, one still remembered for upending the established wine hierarchy.

In 1976, British wine merchant Steven Spurrier and his American colleague Patricia Gallagher organised the original tasting. They pitted leading California wines against top white Burgundies and red Bordeaux, inviting influential figures from the French wine world to judge. No one, including Spurrier, expected California to win. But California triumphed in both categories. The 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the white wine category, while the 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon claimed the top spot among the reds.

The results caused an uproar. Odette Kahn, editor of La Revue du Vin de France, demanded her scorecard back. Spurrier later wrote that he was thrown out of a Burgundy cellar over the results.…

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