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It was perhaps a “somewhat undercover” wine-appreciation society started by Robert Sleigh and a schoolfriend that heralded an illustrious career spanning the idyllic vineyards of France, the hurly-burly of New York, and now the international melting pot of Hong Kong.



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Aptly ensconced in smart new headquarters at WKCDA Tower in Hong Kong’s cultural hub, the Managing Director, Asia, of Phillips talks fondly of those early years. Sleigh’s brief now extends beyond the world’s finest bottles as he oversees the regional strategy of the historic auction house known for its 20th-century and contemporary art and luxury sales.



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The Briton’s early passion for wine steered him into a driving job in London with wine merchant Haynes, Hanson &amp; Clark. Crucially, the role allowed him to take his Wine &amp; Spirit Education Trust (WSET) exams, as at the time only those employed in the trade could sit them. Then, as the UK economy stagnated in the early ’90s recession, he sought broader experience that would differentiate him from the crowd. Meeting some Burgundy producers at a wine-tasting event, he promptly asked if he could work for them.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Burgundy benefits</h3>


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Sleigh found himself at a small domain in Beaune where the grapes were handpicked from its own vineyard and the wine crafted and bottled onsite. “I did one viticultural year in a way; it was vineyard work and cellar work, and when I first got there, they were still pruning the vines,” he recalls.



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The labour was rewarding and he learnt the essentials of vinification. “Winemaking is 90% cleaning,” he says with a smile. “It is cleaning everything spotless so that you do not get bacteria in the wine and it all turns to vinegar.”



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He spent three years in France and is now an unashamed Francophile who would happily drink only French wine. His second job in Burgundy was at Maison Louis Latour, a leading négociant-éleveur with many English-speaking buyers. He liaised with clients and assisted with customer service and marketing.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">US points</h3>



It was this experience that likely helped Sleigh secure a “career-defining” move to the US, where in 1996 he joined the wine department of Sotheby’s auction house in New York. Aside from demand for the cult wines of Napa Valley, he noted other distinct differences in the US wine market compared to Europe. “The Americans are very much led by critic scores; the likes of Robert Parker at the time, who exerted a very powerful influence. They are buying on the 100-point scoring system,” he says.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hong Kong hub</h3>


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He was called to Asia in 2010 to manage the huge demand in the Hong Kong wine auction sector following the reduction and then elimination of tax on wine in the territory. 



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With the West still reeling from the 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis, coupled with the pent-up demand for Western luxury goods from Chinese consumers with huge disposable incomes, this “perfect storm” propelled Hong Kong into the wine hub of Asia.



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“The wine market has never seen anything like it and probably never will again,” says Sleigh, relating how prices took off and Hong Kong became the most important market within 18 months. “Just the amount of stimulus that happened then – it was an extraordinary time.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Auction house</h3>



After more than 25 years at Sotheby’s, Sleigh assumed his new position with Phillips at the start of the year, tasked with a broader role in the art and luxury sector. Asian-based clients clinch about a third of Phillips’ sales, and he believes their new Asia headquarters with a purpose-built exhibition space – the largest premises of any auction house in Hong Kong – increases their visibility and power in the Asian market. “Being the first auction house to have our own permanent galleries and auction room leaves no doubt about how committed Phillips is to Asia,” he stresses.



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This site, occupying the lower six floors of WKCDA Tower near the M+ museum and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, has definite advantages. “The possibilities that this location holds for Phillips are endless, especially as the West Kowloon Cultural District continues to expand and thrive,” he says. “We are excited to be at the heart of it and play an active role in its evolution.”



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Early indications suggest the move to West Kowloon will be a successful one. Phillips’ 20th Century &amp; Contemporary Art exhibition in March and April, as well as previews of watch and jewellery lots, attracted 30,000 visitors, and their inaugural evening sale there yielded notable results – Yoshitomo Nara’s Lookin&#8217; for a Treasure sold for HK$84 million, and Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin fetched HK$56 million.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Asian ascendency</h3>


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According to Sleigh, the art world once operated in two separate ecosystems – East and West – but Hong Kong is now part of a unified global market, with a huge collecting base that extends from Asia to all parts of the world and vice-versa. He talks of a transformation of the playing field: “It now comes as no surprise that the highest-value lot in our long history – a masterwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat – came from the collection of Yusaku Maezawa and was sold to another collector based in Asia for US$85 million.”



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Since arriving at Phillips, Sleigh has noted a much younger clientele viewing contemporary art, 20th-century art, design, photographs and watches compared to those interested in wine. He is excited by how collecting is becoming integral to the Asian lifestyle – with many people travelling to the art fairs in Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore – and sees huge growth potential and less of a weight of tradition in the art market here.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sales drivers</h3>



Eternally fascinated by the cycle of the auction industry, Sleigh has conducted literally hundreds of sales during his career. He believes the auction ritual remains “a compelling call to action” for unique and valuable items and will always play a role when there is competition for a desirable collectible. There are those who say that all auctioneers are frustrated actors, and though Sleigh remains unconvinced by this characterisation, he concedes he has known some who like “being there in front of the world!”



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He describes how having fallen asleep on a plane whilst watching the documentary The Truffle Hunters, he woke with a start, possibly due to hearing his own voice eerily on the headphones. It transpired that the director had taken an excerpt from a recording of a truffle auction for charity he performs every year.



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Indeed, charity is close to his heart. He is regularly involved in charity auctions and his wife, Libby Alexander, is the co-founder and CEO of Splash Foundation, which provides swimming lessons to those in need. “We are lucky we live in Hong Kong and we are very fortunate in many ways,” he says. “There are a lot of people who are less fortunate, so I think it is important [to give back].”



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Interview by: Neil Dolby Photographer: Jack Law Art Direction: Joseff Musa Fashion Stylist: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer:Jack Fontanilla Hair &amp; Make Up: Owen Ko Venue: Phillips Asia HQ in West Kowloon

Sure Hammer: Having been around the auction block for 27 years, Robert Sleigh now drives Philips forward in Asia

Burgundy is one of the most prosperous regions of France, rich in culture, history and gastronomical delights. It is home to world-renowned wines that have soared in price and desirability over recent decades and particularly in the past two years. Pinot Noir (for reds) and Chardonnay (for whites) are the main grape varieties, though others are permitted.



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The Bourgogne area comprises a patchwork quilt of myriad different terroirs, appellations and styles. According to George Lacey, Director and Head of Wine at Sotheby’s, Asia, this complexity previously put off consumers whose drinking experiences could be so variable from one producer or village to the next – but times have changed. “Collectors turned to Burgundy seeking elegance, finesse, a sense of individuality and precision, and discovered that the region could provide ethereal wines that show the epitome of these characteristics in spades,” he says.


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Scarcity value</h3>



The vast range of styles and expressions is down to the great number of small, family-owned domaines, producing microscopic quantities of wine from very low-yielding vines.



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As Lacey explains, this small supply then drives up the scarcity value of its wines and has caused a rapid ascent in prices of Burgundy wine. He notes: “As with so many luxury commodities, the harder Burgundy has become to find, the more people want to find it!”



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sense of place</h3>



Lacey says Burgundy has been at the forefront of winemaking innovation and experimentation and historic producers are located almost side by side with some of today’s most boundary-pushing, next-generation experimental vignerons. He believes Burgundy has the perfect climatic conditions for the ‘capricious’ Pinot Noir grape to flourish. Chardonnay, on the other hand, is much easier to grow. Expressing itself in an enormous range of styles, this varietal is an incredible vector for the romantic notion of ‘terroir’, or a ‘sense of place’.


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fantastic individuality</h3>



Picking a favourite wine is almost impossible for Lacey. “To generalise, the reds are often characterised by beautifully bright, fresh red fruit and floral aromas becoming more savoury as they age with softer, dried petal and ‘sousbois’ [undergrowth] flavours coming to the fore. For the whites, Chardonnay expresses a huge variety of styles within the region from rich, unctuous, nutty and buttery Meursault to steely, mineral and linear Chablis, and everything in between,” he says



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“If I had to choose a favourite, then for whites it would be majestic examples of mature 20-year-plus Raveneau Les Clos or Coche-Dury’s Meursault – some of the greatest examples of Chardonnay in the world. For reds, it would have to be the great Musigny vineyard from either Domaine Mugnier or Leroy. These encounters are becoming ever rarer, but I have had some of my most magical drinking experiences with them – not just for Burgundy but any wine worldwide.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Compelling paradox</h3>



“For me, what makes the very best Burgundy so magical is their ability to become what we call ‘paradox wines’,” says Lacey. “They have an ability to express both weightlessness and intensity, power and elegance, complexity and finesse.”

Beautiful Burgundy: Showing both complexity and finesse, Bourgogne wines are among the world’s most coveted

Alsace in northeastern France has been officially recognised as an AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) wine region since 1962. It is home to the famous 170km Alsace Wine Route, a tourist hotspot that winds its way through the Vosges foothills and the Rhine plain, past colourful towns and villages and vineyards of Riesling and Gerwürztraminer. Alsace is noted for its dry and aromatic white wines, with these two grapes yielding many of its best.






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Tristan Pommier, an expert sommelier who curates Clarence’s wine program, a restaurant in Central, says. “Alsace boasts a very dynamic and thriving wine scene that is renowned for its wide range of grape varietals, grand cru wines and terroir expressions,” he says.







Pommier spotlights several young Alsace winemakers who are now making their mark, in addition to established winemaking families with a long history in the region. The latter, including Zind Humbrecht, Valentin Zusslin and Josmeyer, can be found on Clarence’s wine list. Up-and-coming estates La Rogerie and La Grange de l’Oncle Charles are definitely worth a try and can also be poured at the restaurant.






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Grand Cru diversity



Pommier believes Alsace has become one of the key winemaking regions in France due to its diverse array of grand cru wines. There are 51 vineyards classified as grand crus for their quality terroir and winemaking.







“In addition, Alsace offers a range of winemaking styles, from traditional to biodynamic, which allows for a wide variety of flavour profiles and wine types,” notes Pommier.







The dessert wines of Alsace, particularly the sweet ‘Vendange tardive’ or late-harvest wines, are highly regarded by connoisseurs. “One of the most unique aspects of Alsace’s winemaking industry is its production of sweet wines,” concurs Pommier. “Due to the semi-continental climate and great variety of soil types in Alsace, these wines have the remarkable ability to age gracefully over time, often improving in flavour and complexity as they mature.”






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Youthful sensitivity



Clarence recently held a promotion of the region’s delights. “We thought it would be interesting to showcase the talents of promising young winemakers, such as the owners of La Grange de l’Oncle Charles, a couple who manage a 5.5-hectare vineyard that is co-planted with old, middle-aged and young vines that are regularly replaced to ensure they thrive in a diverse range of soils,” says Pommier.







Pommier also suggests why the wine is so appealing. “The winemakers take a sensitive approach to their craft, carefully considering the fruits, vines and ecosystem to produce elegant wines that possess their own unique subtle touch,” he says.







The tastes and aromas of these wines leave their mark: “One example is La Grange de l’Oncle Charles Mille Lieux, which is a blend of all 13 white grape varieties grown on various soils at the Domaine. After being fermented and aged for one year in barrels on lees, this wine is characterised by its lovely ripe stone fruit aromas, intense concentration and acidity, and a touch of salinity at the end of the palate.”

Alsace Class: Great whites and late-blooming sweet wines blaze a trail through the French region

Upon returning to the UK from Hong Kong, Fiona Shiner surprised many by opting out of her legal career in favour of a risky winemaking venture in the Cotswolds, a picturesque part of southwest England. More boldly still, she later opted to nurture Sauvignon Blanc, a grape varietal with little or no record of being successfully grown in the area.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70370 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine17_rgb.jpg" alt="Sauvignon Blanc" width="610" height="311" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine17_rgb.jpg 610w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine17_rgb-200x102.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine17_rgb-600x306.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine17_rgb-549x280.jpg 549w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine17_rgb-120x61.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine17_rgb-500x255.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine17_rgb-400x204.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px" />
It was a gamble that paid off. Indeed, her 2021 Sauvignon Blanc took both the highest score and the highest award in the Unoaked category at the most recent Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters event.
“News of the award triggered an amazing amount of interest in the wine. After two of the busiest weeks in our history, we have sold out of the 2021 vintage entirely,” says Shiner.
After leaving Hong Kong, she and her family settled in Woodchester Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty set on steep limestone slopes. As a wine lover, she was more than aware that England was surprising many with its world-class sparkling wines and Bacchus was beginning to make a reputation for producing quality still-white wines. She wondered if the local land – poor grade arable – would support her own oenophile aspirations.
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After conducting research into the area’s wine-making heritage, she discovered it had been home to vineyards as far back as the time of the Domesday Book (circa 1085 AD). As a result, the temptation for her to create a new vineyard far outweighed the lure of a return to the law and, so, she planted her first acre in 2007.
On the basis of her initial plantings in 2007- 2013, she quickly established that her vineyards were capable of producing good quality wine. In 2015, she then took the big plunge and planted 2,000 Sauvignon Blanc vines, a grape variety she was a particular fan of.
“The risk was that England is a very cool climate in viticulture terms and Sauvignon Blanc ripens later than a number of varietals, such as Bacchus, that we use for our still wines, so would it ripen fully in England?” says Shiner.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70367 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine101_rgb-e1679305256412.jpg" alt="Sauvignon Blanc" width="750" height="750" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine101_rgb-e1679305256412.jpg 750w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine101_rgb-e1679305256412-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine101_rgb-e1679305256412-100x100.jpg 100w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine101_rgb-e1679305256412-600x600.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" />
As it turned out, 2021 brought particular challenges. While the summer temperature was more or less average for England, heavy rain was widespread although Woodchester Valley vineyard escaped the worst. A warm, sunny spell throughout September and October, however, pretty much saved the day.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70368 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine26_rgb-e1679305298358.jpg" alt="Sauvignon Blanc" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine26_rgb-e1679305298358.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine26_rgb-e1679305298358-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/wine26_rgb-e1679305298358-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
Outlining what she sees as underpinning her success, she says: “Sauvignon Blanc is an expressive variety which manifests itself in different ways. Our wine expresses classic cool climate Sauvignon Blanc aromas and flavours. I also believe the limestone soils bring a vibrancy to the wine and add a bright acidity.”
For the 2021 vintage, the best description almost certainly came courtesy of the Global Sauvignon Blanc Masters judges. Summing up the wine, they concluded: “It starts with an intense gooseberry nose, building up to reveal undertones of ripe lemon. On the palate, there is a bright, taut acidity and a juicy mouthfeel. Very well-balanced, there’s just a hint of sweetness on the finish, which is long and textured. A very engaging wine and perfect for matching with asparagus or goat’s cheese.”
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/english-wines-gafencu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">English Wines are Becoming Hip: Here’s a toast!</a>
(Text: Neil Dolby)

Blanc-Buster: UK-sourced Sauvignon Blanc sweetens the senses

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69989 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_bottles-of-Chianti-Cropped-e1676859349524.jpg" alt="Chianti wine" width="768" height="432" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_bottles-of-Chianti-Cropped-e1676859349524.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_bottles-of-Chianti-Cropped-e1676859349524-200x113.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_bottles-of-Chianti-Cropped-e1676859349524-600x338.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
As a wine, Chianti is as essential to Italian cuisine as extra virgin olive oil. Indeed, there are few pleasures as distinct as a tart, spicy, herbaceous Chianti wine paired with a plate of sliced prosciutto (cured ham) or one of your favourite pasta dishes.&nbsp;
Once traditionally served in a basket-encase bottle, the Chianti is considered to be one of the best wines to be served with a meal. A blended red from the Chianti region of Tuscany, it is made primarily with a thin-skinned grape called Sangiovese, which is found only in this particular part of central Italy.&nbsp;
Known for its mouth-watering acidity and coarse tannin, the grape bestows a transparent ruby hue and flavours of black and red cherry. With such a savoury blend, the wine can be paired easily with food as its high acid level cuts through the richer fatty dishes and stands up well to tomato sauces. Other popular Chianti pairings include pizzas and such meaty fare as a well-seasoned steak.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/hongkong-organic-natural-biodyamic-wines-no-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Organic, natural, biodynamic wines, explained</a>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69993 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grapes_rgb.jpg" alt="Chianti wine" width="768" height="400" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grapes_rgb.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grapes_rgb-200x104.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grapes_rgb-600x313.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grapes_rgb-538x280.jpg 538w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grapes_rgb-120x63.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grapes_rgb-500x260.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/grapes_rgb-400x208.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
In addition to the Sangiovese grape, Chianti may contain traces of other red grapes, notably&nbsp;Canaiolo and Colorino, as well as such white grapes as Trebbiano and Malvasia. It is, however, the Sangiovese grape that dominates while also being seen as the most authentic embodiment&nbsp;of the Chianti terroir.
As with many fine wines, Chianti is subject to many requirements and has spawned a number of variations. There are, for instance, several categories of Chianti that vary depending on how long it has been aged as well as in accordance with the precise sub-region of Tuscany it originated from.&nbsp;
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/sustainable-wines-ethically-sourced-ingredients-healthier-options/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Wines: Ethically sourced ingredients offer imbibers healthier options</a>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69994" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_classic_Chianti_bottle_1_rgb-e1676859815320.jpg" alt="Chianti wine" width="233" height="500" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_classic_Chianti_bottle_1_rgb-e1676859815320.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_classic_Chianti_bottle_1_rgb-e1676859815320-200x428.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 233px) 100vw, 233px" />
Ageing and Classification of Chianti Wine&nbsp;
In many ways, it is the ageing process that determines exactly how an individual Chianti might taste. For example, “Chianti” is aged for six months and has a young and tart taste, while “Superiore Chianti” is aged for a year and has a taste that is smoother and more acidic. “Riserva”, meanwhile, is aged for two years, and the “Gran Selezione” is aged for more than&nbsp;two years and is used in such top-of-the-range Chianti wines as “Chianti Classico”.&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69995 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_barrels_in_cellar_1_rgb-e1676859974333.jpg" alt="Chianti wine" width="750" height="497" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_barrels_in_cellar_1_rgb-e1676859974333.jpg 750w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_barrels_in_cellar_1_rgb-e1676859974333-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Wine_barrels_in_cellar_1_rgb-e1676859974333-600x398.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" />
Chianti wine also has several sub-regions. The original is Chianti Classico. Each subregion or subzone has different minimum ageing requirements, which is said to be an indication of quality. Variations in soils and elevations; and proximity to the sea also give rise to the distinct flavours of a particular wine.
<ul>
<li>Colli Senesi: Aged for 6 months</li>
<li>Colline Pisane: Aged for 6 months</li>
<li>Montalbano: Aged for 6 months</li>
<li>Montespertoli: Aged for 9 months (minimum)</li>
<li>Classic: Aged for a year (minimum)</li>
<li>Rufina: Aged for a year (minimum)</li>
</ul>
With its highly acidic, tarty-juicy attributes, this ruby red wine with flavours of cherry and earth, Chianti is the ideal accompaniment for a diverse array of dishes. To fully appreciate this, though, it is highly recommended that you try it for yourself.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/spotlighting-south-african-wines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Champions of the Cape: Spotlighting South African Wines</a>
(Text: Peter Chan)

Chianti – The Perfect Wine Pairing for Any Dish

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Food lover, passionate scuba diving instructor, wine expert, Christie’s alumni, founder of Aeos Auctions – Simon Tam is a man of varied experiences and a wealth of knowledge.&nbsp;We caught up with the seasoned auctioneer to learn about his craft and relish in his lively character…
Was there one particular glass or moment that sparked your love of wine? 
I come from a family of restaurateurs and grew up in our restaurants in Australia – good food, good wines, good company, laughter and conversations were the norm for me. I often thought to myself, ‘What an interesting industry to get into.’ My surroundings made me adventurous with food and wine. I love trying new tastes, and the sights, sounds and smell of a working kitchen have always fascinated me – they still somehow evoke the deepest part of my memories. When you’re surrounded by food and wine as a child, it leaves an impression.
Infamously, I not only tried wine for the first time at 13, but also spiked it with Coca-Cola! It was the early ’80s, and I happened to ‘borrow’ a bottle of 1961 Château Lafite from my mother’s cellar and had my first sip. I instantly loved the smell, though not so much the taste. The moment I added Coke, I knew it was going to be my life-long poison [laughs].
I was in high school when I first made wine. My friends and I had a pact that in the winter holidays we would teach skiing and in summer we’d make wine. That was a turning point for me, and I haven’t looked back; I think wine is the only thing I know.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-66119" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-1.jpg" alt="gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos 1" width="337" height="500" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-1.jpg 337w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-1-200x297.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-1-189x280.jpg 189w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-1-120x178.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px" />
How did your journey evolve from opening Hong Kong’s first wine school back in 1996 to founding Aeos Auctions last year? 
Amazing. The wine industry is a melting pot of generous, kind, and funny people from different cultures and parts of the world. I’ve been very fortunate with mentors in my career and my decades of professional experience which have prepared me for running an auction house – it’s been a fulfilling, fun learning journey.
Tell us about your 10 years at Christie’s and how this shaped you today as an auctioneer? 
[In 2010] I was the first Chinese appointed as the Head of Wine at Christie’s in Hong Kong. I started with the China market, which was growing rapidly in the fine-wine sector; it was a great honour to be heading the ever-expanding China team, and then my role grew to head wine for the whole of Asia.
As an organisation, Christie’s is amazing – the client service experience is second to none, people are passionate about their jobs, and there’s an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise in all departments. I am grateful for the rich learning environment I got to be in. I discovered that the business of auctions is exhilarating – it gave me butterflies each time the gavel came pounding down on the podium.
What are the best as well as the worst aspects of your profession? 
The best aspects of the wine and auction industries are the people – the passion, the motivation that drives people to understand, taste and collect wine is exemplary. It doesn’t get mundane – no two days are the same; there’s always something new to learn and some of the best, most colourful and kindest people I’ve met in life are wine lovers. 
The worst part, I would say, is an empty bottle [laughs]. But there’s always another one…
<blockquote>
“There’s always something new to learn [in the wine industry] and some of the best, most colourful and kindest people I’ve met in life are wine lovers”
</blockquote>
Any underrated wines which people should know about and appreciate? 
Now, I am tasting and drinking a lot of New Zealand Pinot Noir – it’s one of my favourite grapes; Sauvignon Blanc may be New Zealand’s calling card, but the country has built a formidable reputation for handling this Burgundy grape remarkably well. Winemakers there have been mastering this fickle grape from more than 20 years, and I am absolutely smitten. The region’s cool climate gives an impressive and eclectic depth, purity, freshness, complexity and exoticness to the variety.
You’ve been in the industry for more than 30 years. Can you reveal the best business advice you’ve ever received? 
I’ve been mentored by several people at different times in my career, and everyone had something valuable to say, but the advice that stood out for me was from my mother. She said, ‘Treat everyone the same way – a janitor or a CEO.’ That’s the most beautiful life lesson for me; when you are capable of doing anything in life, the least you can do is treat people with kindness. It has certainly helped me make a lot of genuine friends in and out of this industry.
<figure id="attachment_66120" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-66120" style="width: 337px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-66120" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-2.jpg" alt="gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos 2" width="337" height="500" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-2.jpg 337w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-2-200x297.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-2-189x280.jpg 189w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-2-120x178.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-66120" class="wp-caption-text">Jacket, button-up shirt, pants and shoes by Brunello Cucinelli</figcaption></figure>
What denotes a fantastic food and wine pairing? 
Now we’re talking! I grew up in an environment of food, wine and laughter, but I took it ahead and decided to explore how Asian food pairs with wine – an Indian sabzi, Thai green curry, Vietnamese pho, chilli-laced noodles&#8230; Asian food runs a gamut of flavours, and the standard wine rules don’t always apply. Sometimes red meat and red wine work, sometimes white meat and white wines work, but the world is so much more diverse than that.
Some of my pairings are unorthodox – I love spicy food and instead of drowning out the chilli, I want the wine to exaggerate the drama. If I wanted my wine to dull or flatten the spice, I might as well have bland food, no? I also feel that the finest food and wines should be reserved for the highlight moments of your life, so for weekends and regular get-togethers find wines that fit your lifestyle and match the occasion.
<blockquote>
“Some of my pairings are unorthodox – I love spicy food and instead of drowning out the chilli, I want the wine to exaggerate the drama”
</blockquote>
Since you’re so passionate about food and wine, is opening a restaurant in the pipeline? 
Hospitality is in my blood and I love the industry, but much to my parents’ disappointment, none of their three boys carried on the family business. I like the idea of having my own restaurant, but it’s way too much hard work – whenever everyone else is chilling and having their downtime, like Christmas or New Year, you’re working. I’ve lived that life and made a conscious decision to have some balance.
Tell us about your other passions. 
That would be underwater photography and scuba diving. I am an accomplished scuba diving instructor but, wait for it, I can’t swim. I am extremely skilled in water; I know my buoyancy, but I just can’t swim long laps. Being underwater is paradise – it’s such a thrilling and a humbling experience; a true realisation that the universe is majestic and you’re a tiny, tiny part of it. Both underwater photography and scuba diving bring balance and a diverse perspective to my above-ground life.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-66121" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-3.jpg" alt="gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos 3" width="337" height="500" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-3.jpg 337w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-3-200x297.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-3-189x280.jpg 189w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-3-120x178.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px" />
What brings you happiness in life? 
Laughing with my son. He’s 15-years-old, remarkably intelligent – I can’t take credit for that – has a very good sense of humour and is a gorgeous human being. I just love being with him, laughing with him, and we have a delicious time together.
<figure id="attachment_66122" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-66122" style="width: 337px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-66122" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-4.jpg" alt="gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos 4" width="337" height="500" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-4.jpg 337w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-4-200x297.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-4-189x280.jpg 189w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos-4-120x178.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-66122" class="wp-caption-text">Jacket, button-up shirt, pants and shoes by Brunello Cucinelli</figcaption></figure>
What are your vices? 
I can’t be left alone in a supermarket – I just can’t be trusted with a wallet and a shopping cart! I am an obsessive, impulsive kitchen and gadget shopper. I absolutely love to cook and entertain – in fact, I eat out only for work purposes – so I cannot do without a fully functional pantry. And when I’m in a supermarket, there’s always this urge to buy extra for dinner with friends, or an impromptu party at home…
If you could have any wine with any cuisine tonight, what would it be? 
I would drink my own wine. I made it before leaving Australia and my godparents have kept a stock, pair it with my godmother’s Brien Stew and Suet pudding. It’s outrageously delicious! Reliving my childhood, my happiest days, while sipping my own wine – now that’s home for me.
Thank you.
&nbsp;
(Interview by: Nikita Mishra; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma;&nbsp;Videographer: Kes Lei Venue: Aeos Auctions Office)

gafencu_interview_simon-tam_christies_wine-collector_aeos 600x337

Wine & Investments: An interview with Auctioneer Simon Tam

Applying for a license to distil gin in Hong Kong was almost unheard of a decade ago. Clearance to craft a distinctive local take on the ubiquitous juniper-flavoured spirit is almost like a mission to Mars. It involves an elaborate, arduous, and frustrating journey marked by mountains of red tape and approvals from more than seven government departments.
&#8220;High taxes were, and still are, another hurdle – while beer and wine have been duty-free since 2008, spirits above 30-percent alcohol content are taxed at a whopping 100-percent. Experimenting with a small batch of gin at home is also taxed and invites bureaucratic scrutiny.&#8221;
<figure id="attachment_65964" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65964" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-65964 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillery.jpg" alt="gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillery" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillery.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillery-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillery-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillery-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillery-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillery-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillery-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-65964" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo courtesy of Two Moons Distillery)</figcaption></figure>
Stirring Up a Storm
Hong Kong had just two craft beer-makers in 2013. How the tide has shifted – ferociously, some might say. Today, the city is awash with the earthy, exotic output of some 35 artisan brewers and distillers. Gweilo Beer, which began in a spare bedroom, now operates from a US$5 million high-tech brewery in Fo Tan.
Amid a global ‘ginnaissance’ fuelled by millennials seeking a lighter, more aromatic craft drink of choice, it was only a matter of time before Hong Kong’s passionate gin lovers turned to distilling. Gweilo Gin arrived in 2019, distilled in London using the lead hop from their Pale Ale. Gin parties, gin parlours and ginvent calendars are taken very seriously here – gin is now glorious.
<figure id="attachment_65956" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65956" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-65956 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-botanicals.jpg" alt="gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu--botanicals" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-botanicals.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-botanicals-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-botanicals-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-botanicals-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-botanicals-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-botanicals-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-botanicals-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-65956" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo courtesy of NIP Distillery)</figcaption></figure>
Types of Homegrown Gins
There are two distinct types of ‘local’ gin. Artisan brands such as Perfume Trees, Fragrant Harbour and Bauhinia are distilled abroad but infused with local botanicals to encapsulate the true essence of Hong Kong in a bottle. Then, there’s the gin of micro-distilleries based in the city – NIP and Two Moons, to name just the two – which offer unique, intrinsically local, and unconventional flavours of this resurgent spirit.
In an increasingly crowded market, we asked Dimple Yuen, founder of local micro-gin distillery Two Moons, on what makes a good gin: “Of course, taste is deeply personal; gin is an easy ‘starter drink’. Gin &amp; Tonic is a lot of people’s first spirit. Premium gin has to sippable, not too harsh or rough on the palate and one that is a reminder of personal stories. With gin, it’s not only about the flavour or the aromas on your nose but the experience behind each sip.”
<figure id="attachment_65963" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65963" style="width: 366px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-65963 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillary-quinary.jpg" alt="gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillary-quinary" width="366" height="500" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillary-quinary.jpg 366w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillary-quinary-200x273.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillary-quinary-205x280.jpg 205w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-distillary-quinary-120x164.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 366px) 100vw, 366px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-65963" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo courtesy of Two Moons Distillery)</figcaption></figure>
That said, there are some basic boxes which all go-to pours must tick – the gin should be smooth in a G&amp;T, blend in a martini and be memorable enough to be sipped straight, again and again. If it is diversity and freshness you seek, then try those from copper stills on Hong Kong soil.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjs-tyK9qj3AhWkxzgGHTOTAVkQFnoECA0QAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.igafencu.com%2Fr%2Fexploring-cognac-a-brandy-rich-in-history-and-french-luxury%2F&amp;usg=AOvVaw2rmv1i4pveYK4_B3YgT5-q">Celebrating Cognac: France&#8217;s most luxurious spirit </a>
NIP Gin
<figure id="attachment_65959" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65959" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-65959 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-nip-dry.jpg" alt="gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-nip-dry" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-nip-dry.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-nip-dry-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-nip-dry-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-nip-dry-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-nip-dry-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-nip-dry-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-nip-dry-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-65959" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo courtesy of NIP Distillery)</figcaption></figure>
Like Two Moons, Jeremy Li and Nick Law of NIP received their liquor manufacturer’s licence in 2019. An abbreviation of ‘not important person’, their gin is a highly refined, deliciously nuanced spirit made of 21 botanicals that celebrates the grit, perseverance and spirit of the underdog. Since neither founder has a beverage background, the name they chose has greater resonance and the quality of their craft is even more remarkable.
Two Moons
<figure id="attachment_65962" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-65962" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-65962 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-botanical.jpg" alt="gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-botanical" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-botanical.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-botanical-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-botanical-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-botanical-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-botanical-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-botanical-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-two-moons-botanical-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-65962" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo courtesy of Two Moons Distillery)</figcaption></figure>
Established by Dimple Yuen and Ivan Chang in 2019, Two Moons has made a splash in the craft gin space due to the care and precision shown in creating each 100-bottle batch by hand. The taste is young and experimental, so unless you are a die-hard traditionalist, get ready to be blown away by the youthful vitality of the founders who infuse the best botanicals into their premium spirit.
They are even forthcoming with their proprietary recipe. “We want to be completely transparent and share the flavours so you might enjoy them as we do,” says Yuen. If a spirit-tasting tour is up your alley, pop by their distillery for a feel of their bespoke flavours – Two Moons is the first local gin maker to accommodate visitors.
(Text: Nikita Mishra)
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/rum-surgence-premium-spirit/">Rum-surgence: From sailors’ grog to premium spirit</a>

gin-genies-the-rise-and-rise-of-hong-kong-craft-gins-gafencu-600x337

Gin Genies: The rise and rise of Hong Kong craft gins

Ring in the Lunar New Year with a toast to welcome the 2022 Year of the Tiger. Serving as a symbol of&nbsp; wealth and happiness, what better way to raise your glass in celebration of a new beginning with close friends and family than with a luxurious imbibe, by the venerable Louis XIII.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-64039 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_9.jpg" alt="Toast to the new Year of the Tiger LOUIS XIII Lifestyle wine Out of the Frame_Gafencu_9" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_9.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_9-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_9-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_9-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_9-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_9-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_9-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
Unparalleled in skill, knowledge and quality, the celebrated cognac maker puts out a sumptuous and deliciously tantalising cognac — a testament of the brand&#8217;s more than 140 years of experience in the mastery of producing one of the world&#8217;s most desirable and sought-after imbibes.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-64040 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_14.jpg" alt="Toast to the new Year of the Tiger LOUIS XIII Lifestyle wine Out of the Frame_Gafencu_14" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_14.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_14-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_14-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_14-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_14-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" />
However, Louis XIII&#8217;s undeniably indelible flavours don&#8217;t come without the painstaking crafting process of each of its cognac. The distillery, since Louis XIII&#8217;s inception in 1874, have had generations of wine cellar experts curate a staggering array of eau de vie made from grapes grown in France’s Grande Champagne region.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-64041 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_8.jpg" alt="Toast to the new Year of the Tiger LOUIS XIII Lifestyle wine Out of the Frame_Gafencu_8" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_8.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_8-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_8-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_8-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_8-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_8-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Toast-to-the-new-Year-of-the-Tiger-LOUIS-XIII-Lifestyle-wine-Out-of-the-Frame_Gafencu_8-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
These experts select from over 1, 200 different eau de vie – some younger, while some date back centuries – to create a harmonious blend of rich flavours. Over 250 disparate aromas are incorporated together, resulting in a vivid freshness of passion fruit and spice of ginger to rich notes of candied plumbs; giving the tipple its common comparison to drinking a sumptuous sip of perfume.
Even while the focus of carefully distilling decadent cognacs, equal attention is paid to the bottling process as well, ensuring the finished product is fit for the eponymous French king the brand takes its name from. As such, each bottle is lovingly handcrafted by artisans of one of two French royal crystal workshops – Baccarat or Saint Louis – transforming the containers into glorious works of art fit to present as the perfect gift for the Lunar New Year.&nbsp;
Stay in touch with LOUIS XIII: 
Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.louisxiii-cognac.com/">https://www.louisxiii-cognac.com</a> 
Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LOUISXIII">https://www.facebook.com/LOUISXIII</a> 
Instagram：<a href="https://www.instagram.com/LOUISXIIICOGNAC/">@LOUISXIIICOGNAC</a> 
Youtube：<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/LouisXIIIofficial">https://www.youtube.com/user/LouisXIIIofficial</a>
Call to join the LOUIS XIII Society: 
Hong Kong:&nbsp;+852 37109396 
Macau:&nbsp;+853 2871 9699

Toast to the new Year of the Tiger LOUIS XIII Lifestyle wine Out of the Frame_Gafencu

Toast to the new Year of the Tiger with the opulent Louis XIII

With the holidays just around the corner, there are more than a few reasons to raise your glasses to in celebration. While home-bound with close friends and loved ones this time of the year, a toast to togetherness and new beginnings comes complete with the perfect winter imbibe to share or gift this season, the venerable Louis XIII.
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-1.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-63392" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-1.jpg" alt="Louis XIII The perfect present for loved ones this gifting season gafencu 700x466-1" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-1.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-1-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-1-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-1-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-1-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a>
Boasting over 140 years of experience, the luxury cognac maker boasts unparalleled skill, knowledge and sheer savoir-fair in creating deliciously tantalising cognacs, that few can match up to — it&#8217;s small wonder, then, that it makes for the most desirable and sought-after of presents.
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-3.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-63389" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-3.jpg" alt="Louis XIII The perfect present for loved ones this gifting season gafencu 466x700-3" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-3.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-3-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-3-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-3-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-3-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /></a>
Making moments into memories, the root of the indelible flavours of Louis XIII lie in the painstaking brewing process each cognac undergoes. Since the master distiller&#8217;s founding in 1874, generations of wine cellar experts have amassed and curated a staggering array of eau de vie made from grapes grown in France’s Grande Champagne region.
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-4.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-63390" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-4.jpg" alt="Louis XIII The perfect present for loved ones this gifting season gafencu 466x700-4" width="466" height="700" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-4.jpg 466w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-4-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-4-186x280.jpg 186w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-4-120x180.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-466x700-4-400x601.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 466px) 100vw, 466px" /></a>
To ensure the ultimate blend, these experts select from over 1,200 different eau de vie – some younger, some dating back centuries – to create a synergistic whole. Over 250 disparate aromas are instilled within, ranging from the vivid freshness of passion fruit and spice of ginger to rich notes of candied plumbs. Small wonder, then, that drinking Louis XIII has been compared to drinking perfume.
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-2.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-63393" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-2.jpg" alt="Louis XIII The perfect present for loved ones this gifting season gafencu 700x466-2" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-2.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-2-600x399.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-2-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-2-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-2-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Louis-XIII-The-perfect-present-for-loved-ones-this-gifting-season-gafencu-700x466-2-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a>
Even as great care has been taken in distilling the cognacs, equal attention is paid to their bottling to ensure the finished product is fit for the eponymous French king the brand takes its name from. As such, each bottle is lovingly handcrafted by artisans of one of two French royal crystal workshops – Baccarat or Saint Louis – transforming the containers into glorious works of art. Epitomising cognac-making both without and within, Louis XIII makes for the perfect present to gift that special someone this festive season.
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Stay in touch with LOUIS XIII: 
Website: <a href="https://www.louisxiii-cognac.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.louisxiii-cognac.com</a> 
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LOUISXIII" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.facebook.com/LOUISXIII</a> 
Instagram：<a href="https://www.instagram.com/LOUISXIIICOGNAC/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@LOUISXIIICOGNAC</a> 
Youtube：<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/LouisXIIIofficial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.youtube.com/user/LouisXIIIofficial</a>
Call to join the LOUIS XIII Society: 
Hong Kong: +852 37109396 
Macau: +853 2871 9699

Louis XIII The perfect present for loved ones this gifting season gafencu 600x337

Louis XIII: The perfect present for loved ones this gifting season

We dream of purity in a world where progress has left its toxic imprint on our land and food supply. Answering the call for nature, the organic movement has infiltrated our food, fashion, lifestyle choices and our choice of tipple, too. Indeed, there is a growing backlash against lab-grown yeast, grapes drenched in pesticides, and unwarranted tinkering that alter the natural taste of wines.
From New York to Hong Kong, bars and restaurants offering organic, biodynamic and natural wines are flourishing – they fit the urban millennial mindset of a holistic, authentic and environmentally enriching lifestyle. But what makes a wine tick all the right responsibly produced boxes these days?
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61610" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard.png" alt="Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard-400x266.png 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making_vineyard-600x399.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a>
Organic Origin 
Organic wine is made from grapes grown and harvested without any kind of synthetic chemicals. This method allows nature to take its course and grapes to express their full flavour. Only indigenous yeast is used in fermentation, and there’s little to no preservatives. 
Roughly 1,500 to 2,000 vintners adhere to organic practices. “According to industry research, consumption of organic wine will reach about one billion bottles by 2023,” says Matt Ayre, a wine advisor for Vivant, an interactive platform connecting responsible winemakers and imbibers. “That’s a huge jump from 400 million in 2013 – clearly, people want to know what’s in their glass.”
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Biodynamic Diversity 
Biodynamic wines stem from a certified holistic and experiential approach to farming that pushes the natural expression of grapes and minimises manipulation in winemaking. Much attention is paid to elevating biodiversity, crop rotation, thoughtful cultivation, harvesting and fermentation according to the astrological calendar. The mystical nature of biodynamic winemaking may raise eyebrows, but it is believed these efforts translate into richer soil, healthier grapes, and full-bodied, truer, more earthy wines.
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Natural Beauty 
The back-to-basics movement in winemaking has been fermenting since the ’70s. Much like midwives, these vintners are minimally involved and watch from the fringes.
There is no dependence on modern machines or manipulation in natural wines. It is manually crushed, and fermentation occurs artlessly with ambient yeast. The wines are not filtered, so might appear cloudy, and in the absence of additives, stability can be an issue. Nothing is added to the fruit, and nothing is taken away; taste ranges from experimental, hideous to ethereal.
Also Read: <a href="//www.gafencushop.com/english-wines-gafencu/">English Wines are Bubbling in Popularity, Here&#8217;s Why You Should Be Toasting</a>
<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making-2.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61605" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making-2.png" alt="Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making (2)" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making-2.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making-2-200x133.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making-2-421x280.png 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making-2-120x80.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making-2-500x333.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making-2-400x266.png 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gafencu_wine_natural_organic_biodynamic_wine_making-2-600x399.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /></a>
Lack of Transparency 
Natural wine is a vague term without any universal guidelines in place. Some naturalists add a modest amount of sulphite at the bottling stage, others completely avoid it, but none puts a permissible number on it. The vagueness of the concept and the fact that ‘natural’ is both a lifestyle and a food category has allowed these wines to become hip in a way organic and biodynamic wines have not.
With no legal principles in place for labelling, a vintner’s faith is indispensable – the wine can taste authentically superior, acidic, oxidised or plain cider, all in the name of ‘natural’. For proponents of a more sustainable way of life, organic, biodynamic and natural are not just wine buzzwords – they are essentials in creating a responsible yet rad identity in a world full of cookie-cutter chardonnays.
(Text: Nikita Mishra)

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