WINE • CUISINE • LIFESTYLE
RUM bles Of Delight
Wine’s Hidden Beauty Award-Winning
Wine-Infused Dishes Asian Fiesta
A Seafood Legacy
Seeing Red 8 885004
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Publisher Ong Tze Kian
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Consultants Derrick Lee (President IBA)
90 Coming to Terms术语
ABCs of Spanish Wine 西班牙酒的基本知识
92 Luxe Getaway悠旅乐
Rediscover Rendezvous 龙都新篇章
98 Lookbook品味生活
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In a Class of its Own 琢磨细腻之美
102 Essence精华
Wine’s Hidden Beauty 葡萄酒，潜在的美
106 Beauty and Spa美容 Dreaming Spa 梦幻水疗护理
110 Festive佳节
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A Celebration of Maternal Bonds 佳节欢 庆
114 Festive Gifts佳节送礼
Surprise Your Mum 给妈妈一个惊喜
118 Spirited Reads书介
120 Wine Online酒网 Asia Inscribed 雕琢亚洲
Hai Poh Cheong Ernie Ong Jessica L Huang Ching Biao Editors L Kerhaw Jean Cheung Feature Writers Katherine Oh Jesslyn Poh Snr Designer Libby Goh Business Development Manager YKF, Eric Contributors Kerry Yip Jill Gwee Photography CS-Studio Circulation Manager Joyce Thian International Enquiries: Hong Kong Unit H1 8/F Efficiency House 35 Tai Yau Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon Tel: 2877 7748 Fax: 2877 7749 Canada 5654 McAdam Road Mississauga Ontario Canada L4Z 1T2 Tel: (1) 905 568 0818 Published by Infomedia Publishing Pte Ltd Reg. No. 200505398D Blk 163 Lor 1 Toa Payoh #01-1004 Singapore 310163 Tel: 6352 0109 • Fax: 6352 0117 Distributed by: Mediacorp Publishing Pte Ltd Tel: 6483 7118 • Fax: 6483 7291 ISBN: 888 500 411 003 8
g Soon
Openin
2012 VINTAGE FOR CALIFORNIA LOOKING GOOD
After two tough harvests, Californian winemakers are hailing this year’s vintage as “outstanding”. Their 2012 harvest yielded generous amounts of high-quality fruit, estimated at 3.7 million tons, up from 3.3 million tons in 2011. The 2012 vintage will offer consumers in our growing national and international markets fantastic choices,” said Robert P. Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute. The Wine Institute is the voice for California wine representing more than 1,000 wineries and affiliated businesses from the diverse wine regions throughout the state. “The 2012 harvest has been exceptional,” said Frank Cabral, director of grower relations for Trinchero Family Estates. “Moderate weather throughout the growing season has put little pressure on the vines, and provided grapes with well-balanced chemistries. The 2012 harvest is making up for the low-yielding 2011 crush, with most varieties picking at above-average yields. The 2012 harvest is shaping up to be one that will become known for its abundance of fruit and quality of wines.” “The 2012 harvest on the North Coast can be summed up in one word, ‘outstanding’,” reported Bob Blue, winemaker at Bonterra Vineyards in Ukiah. “It was back to a normal harvest picking timeline, only slightly later on the calendar than an average year, with an abundance of sunshine. Overall, the quality has really been special this year, the fruit is ripe and concentrated. There were no disease issues with any of the grapes. The Pinot Noir has amazing fruit intensity, with classic varietal tones of
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strawberry and spices. Chardonnay has wonderful concentration and a mélange of fruit flavours from peaches to apples and lemon. Merlot has beautiful colour and ripeness, with rich blueberry flavours. The Cabernet has outstanding flavours.” Concurred Aron Weinkauf, winemaker and vineyard manager at Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery in Napa Valley, “This was one of the more idyllic growing seasons that we’ve had. The fairly mild weather allowed us to wait for fruit maturity in order to make our preferred style of wine. We were pushed to our limit to accommodate the quantity of fruit we harvested, but I am extremely happy with the overall quality and balance of the wines.” “This year we have been blessed with ideal weather,” continued Hank Wetzel, managing family member of Alexander Valley Vineyards in Sonoma County. “The harvest has been excellent. Growing conditions throughout the year have been ideal for producing a bumper crop of mature grapes with balanced flavours. In the spring, our vines set a large crop. During the summer, we had an abundance of California coastal “sweater” weather, fog in the morning, and warm sunshine in the afternoon, often sending temperatures into the mid 90s (°F) and then quickly cooling off after sunset. These daily temperature swings help make California, Sonoma County and the Alexander Valley great places to grow wine grapes. This daily cyclical temperature shift, occasionally hitting 50°F, continued into September ripening up fruit evenly and slowly, allowing us to bring in harvest at a steady measured pace. “We are now harvesting Cabernet Sauvignon. Clusters are packed with tiny bluish black flavourful berries.” Paso Robles had more heat, and the crop level was not quite as abundant as in the North Coast, but we had similarly high quality fruit. “Overall, we’re excited about the 2012 harvest in Paso Robles,” said Jason Diefenderfer, winemaker at Hope Family Wines. “Verasion was just ahead of schedule and was rather quick, so we’ve had great hang time. We experienced
California vintners are ecstatic about the fantastic quality and volume of the 2012 wine grape harvest.
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WINE BUZZ about three weeks of extreme heat in late August and early September, which didn’t raise the Brix levels as quickly as one would expect. It was good for the vines to catch up. Flavour-wise, the grapes are really showing great which should lead to round and robust flavours. The slight rain in mid-October didn’t do too much, as it cleared out and warmed up quickly. As our flavours continue to mature, it’s looking like this could be one of the better vintages we’ve had in the last 10 years.” Michael McCay, owner and winemaker of McCay Cellars in Lodi, is also enthusiastic about the harvest: “I am very excited about 2012! I love the brightness and the deep, rich flavours we are getting across the board. The Zinfandels are upfront but also showing great potential. I think 2012 has the potential to outperform 2010, which was even more “perfect” in terms of numbers and ease of picking. The 2010 Zinfandels were great, but at this point in time, the 2012s taste
even better! All of our 2012 Zinfandels are finishing at alcohols lower than 15% – most of them closer to 13.5%. With such intense flavours, we couldn’t ask for much better! I really believe it’s going to end up being the best wines we’ve ever made.” “It was a good harvest season for the California wine grape crop, and both growers and vintners should be happy,” said Nat DiBuduo, president CEO of Allied Grape Growers. “The quality of grapes was very good, and the crop was average to above average depending on the region and variety. Although there were late rains in October, 85 to 95 per cent of the crop had already been harvested. The California wine grape crop should hit 3.7 million tons estimated earlier in the year. Overall, the biggest problem this year was that many of the red varietal grapes came in at the same time, filling wineries to capacity. Wineries dealt with the problem by scheduling growers as tank space became available.”
GRIMBERGEN NOW AT SUPERMARKETS Fans of these Belgian abbey beers will have another avenue to enjoy their exquisite tastes, now that pint bottles are on sale at all Cold Storage (except their specialty stores) and Market Place outlets. Available in three styles – Blanche, Blonde, and Double-Ambrée – each bottle will retail at S$5.80 for 330ml. Heralding from the ancient Grimbergen abbey in Belgium which was founded in the Middle Ages in 1128, the brand is now brewed in Strasbourg, France by the Carlsberg Group using the original recipe crafted in Belgium under strict supervision by the abbey, which still exists. The monks remain guardians of the beers’ taste and quality, ensuring that these craft beers stay true to their abbey roots. Grimbergen has been making a ripple in the connoisseur beer scene for their elegant notes and smooth finish since their introduction on draught at the flagship bar 1128 and casual dining concept Nassim Hill at the iconic Tanglin Post Office. The pale-yellow and cloudy Grimbergen Blanche is a classic white beer with a creamy head and fine bubbles. Its citrusy aroma with delicate notes of vanilla, spices and bergamot make this a particularly refreshing wheat beer. The ochre-coloured Grimbergen Blonde is a top-fermented ale that is round and harmonious in the mouth, with just the right amount of fizz. Blended with notes of ripe fruits, cloves and honey, the Blonde is slightly fruity with a spicy character. The Grimbergen Double-Ambrée is a greatly nuanced dark beer that is crafted for slow savouring, so as to unravel the complex layers of flavours. Rich, deep and velvety in the mouth, the beguiling whiff of smokiness in this double-brewed amber ale leads to an intense bouquet of ripe fruits and caramel, before finishing with a lingering subtle bittersweet hint of liquorice.
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WINE BUZZ
PENFOLDS AMPOULE NUMBER 8 FINDS ITS WAY TO SINGAPORE
Penfolds Ampoule Number 8, one of 12 limited edition Ampoules of Penfolds 2004 Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon, is valued at S$218,000 and is now showcased in the DFS Departure store at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2. Ampoule Number 1 resides at the Penfolds Magill Estate Winery in South Australia and Ampoule Number 6 can be found at the Dragon Seal Restaurant and Bar in Hong Kong. The glass-blown sealed ampoule contains the 2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon which was awarded the highest accolade of 100 points by renowned US wine critic James Suckling in 2011. Planted in the mid 1880s, the Block 42 vineyard is located at the edge of the Penfolds Kalimna property in the Moppa area of the Barossa Valley, about 60 kilometres north of Adelaide. With rich brown soils and alluvial sands, the 10-acre Block 42 vineyard composed of Cabernet Sauvignon vines of ancient genetic origins, belonging to a national heritage of great old 19th century pre-phylloxera Australian vineyards. For almost 130 vintages, these vines – planted on their own roots – have produced flavourintense, mineral-rich fruit with exceptional concentration and balance. While the vineyard produces unusually high-quality fruit in most vintages, limited yields mean that Penfolds rarely releases a single-vineyard wine from Block 42. “There is something really magical about the 2004 Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet. It has an ethereal dimension and a saturated blackness on the palate, it’s extraordinarily perfumed with layer upon layer of flavour. ‘Essence of Cabernet’. Purity,” commented Peter Gago, Penfolds chief winemaker. When a Penfolds Ampoule collector decides to open the wine, he will receive a special treatment. A senior member of the Penfolds winemaking team will travel to any destination in the world and conduct a special opening ceremony for the owner, where upon the ampoule will be ceremoniously removed from its glass plumb-bob casing and opened using a specially designed, tungsten-tipped, sterling silver scribesnap. The winemaker will then prepare the wine using a beautifully crafted sterling silver tastevin.
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Just in time for the upcoming Christmas and New Year merriment, Jaillance debuts in Singapore with two bottle-fermented French sparkling wines – the demi-sec Muscat, Clairette (S$26.90) from Die and the brut Sémillon (S$29.90) of Bordeaux. These awardwinning wines are available at major supermarkets. Jaillance originates from the Drôme Valley, nestled between Vercors and Provence, and represents the Cave de Die, a cooperative founded in 1950. It is one of the leading French brands in Appellation d’Origine Protégée sparkling wines. Wine consumption over the years is shifting from red wine to white wine to sparkling wine which could be “the next big thing” if its predicted increase in consumption by 12 per cent over the next four years holds true. According to the International Wine and Spirit Research Study 2011, consumption of traditional red wines declined by nearly eight per cent in the last five years and is forecast to fall further over the next four years.
Sémillon
SPARKLING SINGAPORE DEBUT
The mellow Sémillon is most commonly used for white Bordeaux still wines like Graves and Pessac-Leognan. It was only recently discovered that the Sémillon could lead to interesting results for sparkling wines, and it remains an unusual grape varietal in the world of Crémants. The Sémillon offers a soft yet lively mouth, displaying citrus notes with an aroma of gooseberries and pomelos. The Sémillon is recommended with an aumoniere of prawns in saffron.
Representing approximately 90 per cent of the blend, the muscat in the Muscat, Clairette is the main personality behind the wine, bringing richness and the exotic flavours of passion fruit, mango and lychee, while displaying delicate aromas of yellow peaches and rose petal. The Clairette brings a balance, offering refreshing acidity and zesty flavours, allowing the final blend to be fruity, full and elegant. The Muscat, Clairette can be enjoyed with frozen desserts, fresh fruit flans and cakes.
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Muscat, Clairette
2012 VINTAGE FOR BURGUNDY: QUANTITY DOWN, QUALITY UP
Vignerons in Burgundy had to run the gauntlet of maladies that Mother Nature has unleashed on them this year – a mild winter, a chilly spring with frosts, a warm May, a cool and rainy June, an unstable summer, a heat wave, hail and storms – weather like this could not fail but affect the vines. The cold and rain in spring caused shatter, where some flowers fail to turn into fruit; millerandage where incomplete fertilisation of the flower gives rise to small berries; and the threat of both downy and powdery mildew. The brief hot periods in summer brought some very high temperatures that burned the fruit. Therefore, winegrowers had to redouble their efforts to ensure the very best results from their vines. All their hard work was worth the while because experts who tasted the 43 wines from the recent harvest, which were later auctioned at the Hospices de Beaune, gave their quality the thumbs up. The aromas, concentration levels and overall purity pleased many experienced palates. From the north of Burgundy to the south, the voice of the vignerons was unanimous – the quality of 2012’s nascent wines is excellent, surpassing all expectations despite the weather. The only downside is the quantity which is below average, down as much as 20% according to some estimates. The small crop was actually a saving grace. Because of the natural thinning due to frost, poor flowering, mildew and the removal of sunburnt berries, the few grapes left on the vine attained a good level of aromatic maturity and an elegant balance of sweetness and acidity. Fewer grapes in the bunches also allowed for a cleaner harvest, especially with windy, dry weather leading up to the harvest. Hence, the dreaded grey rot at harvest time was avoided. However, the small crop and global demand for Burgundy’s wines, not to mention the expenses incurred farming the vineyards, will inevitably translate to higher prices for the 2012s. The scarcity of this vintage will only serve to make the wines even more precious. To avoid external speculation and also not put off consumers in either traditional or new markets, the wine producers will be controlling the price increase.
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Rediscover RENDEZVOUS
After a S$25 million face-lift, the rebranded Rendezvous Grand Hotel Singapore will once again enthrall business travellers and holidaymakers with its warm hospitality, new facilities and restaurants. Katherine Oh explores the magnificent heritage hotel in the heart of Singapore’s popular shopping district 92 WINELIVING
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nveiling a brand new look is Rendezvous Hotel Singapore which is now renamed Rendezvous Grand Hotel Singapore. The 10-month renovation project took several phases, moving slow but steady so as not to disrupt the hotel’s normal operations or inconvenience their guests. The stunning four-star hotel has pre-war colonial three-storey shophouses as its facade and the modern 11-storey hotel building behind. Opened since October 1998, it has won numerous awards for its magnificent architecture namely the URA Architectural Heritage Award 2000 and more recently, the Friends of Heritage Award 2010 by the National Heritage Board for its support to the arts and heritage causes. This iconic landmark of Singapore is helmed by Mr Kellvin Ong, General Manager of Rendezvous Grand Hotel Singapore, who has this to say, “We have to keep up with the competition and offer many more value-added propositions to our guests. Other than working on the hardware, we are also retraining our staff to provide top notch services to our guests to make their visits memorable. We want them to feel welcome and to regard Rendezvous Grand Hotel Singapore as their second home.�
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The theme of Asian elegance was consistent from the exterior right down to the hotel’s upholstery. The play of marble floors against white, neutral, black and wooden details is reminiscent of modern colonial charm. Its 298 guest rooms, corporate meeting venues, reception and lobby, concierge pavilion, hotel driveway, ballroom and restaurants now spot a polished pristine look. One of the renovation highlights is the 3,500 sq ft Straits Ballroom that has played host to countless events, business seminars and wedding functions. The newly refurbished ballroom now comes with custom-designed carpeting, elegant wall coverings and fine crystal chandeliers that give sparkle to brilliant evenings.
GOURMET TRAVEL
WORK OR PLAY Located at the busy precinct of Singapore’s busiest shopping area and just a 10-minute ride away from the Central Business District (CBD), the hotel is accessible on both counts whether one is here for work or play. The 298 guest rooms and suites are now fitted with wifi for convenient access to business emails. The cosy rooms also feature state-of-the-art LCD television sets and custom designed furniture consistent with the overall new interior theme of the hotel. For business travellers, the business centre provides a wide range of facilities administered by a friendly staff. Apart from the usual laundry and drycleaning services, the reception, concierge and room service are operational round-the-clock. The hotel has a fully equipped fitness centre and a Balinese-inspired swimming pool to cater to guests who feel the need to sweat it out after a gluttonous marathon in a food paradise like Singapore. There is also an outdoor jacuzzi to soothe tired bodies under the stars. For food lovers, the hotel offers a wide variety of dining choices from its eight in-house and tenant WINELIVING 95
GOURMET TRAVEL
restaurants. The Palong Bar serves a selection of premium spirits, wine and beverages.
FOOD AT LEISURE The ever-popular Straits Cafe offers a sumptuous feast whether one is there for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, high-tea or dinner. Executive Chef Choo Kok Seng makes sure the spread will appeal even to the most picky of eaters with his array of Asian, western and local delights. Brunch is a titillating assortment of freshly shucked oysters with condiments, piping hot a la minute waffle and omelette service, breakfast scones and pastry, flavourful beef goulash, barbeque ribs, signature laksa, sushi, freshly cut sashimi, Chinese favourites like braised duck and steamed Teochew fish, and many more. For once, guests could also play chef at the DIY popiah and kueh pie tee counters. The popiah rolls - the bigger version of non-fried spring rolls or the western burrito - which consists of stewed julienned turnips and carrots made tasty by dried shrimps, and a generous variety of condiments. Wrap it up until it is bursting at the seams with chopped boiled egg, shrimps, garlic, crushed peanuts and sweet sauce. Guests could also DIY their kueh pie tee. This little bite-size cup uses very much the same condiments as the popiah rolls and is easy on the calories. Pair it with an Indian pulled tea or Teh Tarik for its rich milky sweet caffeine boost. Dinner is another delicious affair with more seafood offerings such as the Alaskan crab, grilled fresh water scampi, wok-fried crayfish and sambal belachan whole river sole. Another highlight is surprisingly the sweet and sour pork which is crispy on the outside, tender and pink on the inside. 96 WINELIVING
GOURMET TRAVEL
The newly restored space between the shophouses and the hotel wing, named the Rendezvous Gallery, is now home to many restaurants. The Rendezvous Gallery features Asian botanical themes with lush marble, while Southeast Asian handmade decorative tiles pay tribute to the heritage space. High-tea regulars would find luxuriating under warm, natural light streaming through the beautiful skylight glass ceiling at The Courtyard inviting. The exotic tea offerings of Orchid Vanilla and Ginger Lemongrass seem unusually satisfying when paired with the selection of mouthwatering sweet and savoury pastries and sandwiches from the threetiered high-tea set. Also rave-worthy are their Premium Fish and Chips featuring homemade tartar sauce and the Bangers and Mash which gives a choice of juicy pork, beef and chicken sausages. Seribu Sari which means “a thousand spices” is the hotel’s latest halal Indonesian offering that replaces the nostalgic nasi padang eatery of the 50s. The restaurant offers a spice-filled menu representative of the cuisine from different parts of Indonesia such as the tender and piquant Ayam Rica Rica, which is spicy chicken from Manado and a specialty from the north of Sulawesi; the Ikan Sambal (chilli fish) and a Buntut Soup (Oxtail) from Bali; the flavourful Javanese Sayur Loleh, a mixed vegetable in coconut milk and many more. A crowd puller is the Tauhu Telur, a cake of Japanese pillowy beancurd topped with fragrant roasted chopped peanuts and drizzled with a sauce made from sweet soya, palm juice and plum sauce. Dessert is a treat especially for fans of the king of fruits, what with their selection of durian chendol kacang, a concoction of durian pulp, mung bean jelly, red bean, coconut milk and palm sugar, as well as durian pengat which is fresh durian mixed with palm sugar and coconut milk. Rendezvous Grand Singapore isn’t just a comfortable business stopover in the heart of the city, but a foodie hotspot too with its myriad exciting restaurants that serve delicious South East Asian delights. Here is a one-stop destination for travellers whether it is for business, food and play. n WINELIVING 97
FESTIVE 佳节
My mother is a poem
I’ll never be able to write, though everything I write is a poem to my mother.
— SHARON DOUBIAGO
mother’s A Celebration of Maternalday Bonds Bring mum on a three-month celebration of Mother’s Day this year, first in the United Kingdom in March, Armenia in April, Japan in mid-May and France when the month ends. No one seems to have come to an agreement on a universal day to honour all mothers for Mother’s Day is celebrated on different days mostly in March, April and May all over the world. And as if this is not enough of a differentiation, there is an international mother’s day celebrated usually by socialist countries and a capitalist mother’s day that we are more familiar with. In this part of the world, Mother’s Day was an almost unheard of observance until the recent decades. To some, every day should be Mother’s Day as filial piety should not be observed only once a year. To others, Mother’s Day is a special day to honour one’s mother and to acknowledge her selfless and all-embracing love. Bring mum out for a lavish lunch or dinner and shower her with gifts that bespeak of your appreciation and love.
Bon Appetit!
MARINA MANDARIN SINGAPORE Marina Mandarin Singapore goes all out to woo mothers on this special day. At Aquamarine, mums would be pampered by an array of Asian and international favourites like Singapore nyonya laksa and grilled beef steak, together with a welcome gift, a chance to walk away with lucky draw prizes and a complimentary 500g cake of the day with a minimum of four diners! Buffet lunch on 12 May for an adult costs $68++ and $34++ a child, while buffet dinner on 11 May is $88++ an adult and $44++ a child and on 12 May it will be $78++ an adult and $39++ a child. At Peach Blossoms, let mum savour bird’s nest in nine à la carte selections and two set menus including dishes like braised superior bird’s nest with pumpkin puree, stir-fried milk and egg white with bird’s nest and white truffle oil and deep-fried marinated chicken wing stuffed with bird’s nest. A five-course set menu costs $118++ per person and a six-course set menu goes for $138++ per person, all for a minimum of two persons. Dishes for the a la carte menu are priced from $42++ per dish. WINELIVING 111
ORCHARD HOTEL SINGAPORE At Orchard Café, give mum a choice of fine local favourites such as laksa, satay and prawn noodles or tempt her with an array of international, Western, local and seafood delicacies at its buffet spread. And if that is not enough, stay on for its high-tea featuring a scrumptious spread of local and international favourites such as dim sum and a combination of delightful cakes and snacks. Orchard Hotel also rewards those who shower their mums with love at its Orchard Café with the chance to win 3D2N stay at Grand Millennium Hongqiao Shanghai and a $500 travel voucher; a 2D1N weekend stay at Orchard Hotel Singapore with breakfast for two; and a Spa D’or 90 minutes body massage. Orchard Hotel also offers all mums a 30 min massage at Spa D’or!
CAFÉ DECO, HONG KONG
SWISSOTEL SYDNEY Mother’s Day is all about high tea, champagne and chocolate at Crossroads Bar of Swissôtel Sydney. It is easy to spoil mum this Mother’s Day with a buffet high tea including a glass of champagne on arrival and a gift for mum to take home with her. Champagne, something sweet, something savoury and loved ones are everything mum needs this Mother’s Day. Enjoy an indulgent moment with your mum whilst feasting on items such as the irresistible freshly baked scones, a Lindt chocolate fondue, selection of mini sandwiches and mouth-watering sweets. High tea offer on Sunday 12 May 2013 for just $65 per adult and $30 for children aged 12 years and under will be one of the best ways to show your love for your mother! 112 WINELIVING
Invite mum to Café Deco Group’s Top Deck, a sprawling 9,000 sq ft of al fresco dining area with 300 seating capacity, for a brunch which includes jet fresh seafood spread, a selection of Asian and Western classics and a tantalising desserts station. Top Deck sits on the top floor of Hong Kong’s renowned Jumbo Floating Restaurant. Set amidst the multi-million dollar yachts moored in the Aberdeen Marina, Top Deck is said to fast become one of Hong Kong’s landmark restaurants and southside dining destinations. At HK$448 for an adult and HK$168 for a child, there is free flow of Veuve du Vernay Brut, Rose Quinta de Gomariz, sodas, juices, coffee and tea. At another of Café Deco’s outlet, Watermark, let mum enjoy unparallelled waterfront dining next to Hong Kong’s landmark, the Victoria Harbour, while savouring an impressive selection of appetisers, mains and desserts. Mum will be greeted at the entrance by water features that take her into the interior of teak, marble and glass. A stairway leads to an intimate dining area which features a wine collection, perched high in 30-plus feet high. The interior is further brightened by natural daylight that shines through translucent sky-light ceiling, while the open-air deck offers a 270-degree view of Kowloon peninsula and ferries commuting on the water. All these come at HK$388 for an adult and HK$190 for a child.
FESTIVE GIFTS
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SINGAPORE It is an extensive Mezze spread of appetisers and desserts that await mothers at One-Ninety. Go all sweet with a decadent spread of 25 types of French cheeses with truffle honey, organic honey, pear conserve, plums and fig salami; desserts vying for attention include rose Madeleine, red velvet cake, fresh fruit Bretonne, strawberry Millefeuille, raspberry tiramisu, Yuzu chocolate tart and soya milk pannacotta. For Mezze and dessert, it is $78++ per adult ($45++ per child, 5 to 11 years old), while Mezze, main course and dessert is $108++ to $138++ per adult ($55++ per child, 5 to 11 years old for main course only). At Jiang-Nan Chun, let mothers indulge in the “Oriental Weekend Brunch”. The unlimited servings of over 20 types of dim sum favourites ranging from steamed shrimp dumpling with Tianjin cabbage, fried carrot cake with XO chilli sauce, puff pastry with cod and onion in Miso sauce, steamed chicken feet and steamed beancurd skin roll with homemade beancurd and bacon in egg white sauce would be too much to resist. Mum will also be pampered by a serving of either steamed fresh abalone with sake, braised bird’s nest or sea treasure soup for a nourishing start. Inclusive of one serving of the premium soups and free-flow of juices (orange, mango and guava), the “Oriental Weekend Brunch” is $88 per adult, $44 per child (5 to 11 years of age), $188 (free flow of Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label Brut, House Red or White Wine) and $208 (free-flow of Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label Rose). Prices are subject to 10 per cent service charge and prevailing government taxes. All mothers also go home with a specially created chocolate cake (250g) to be enjoyed further in the comfort of their home.
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FESTIVE GIFTS 佳节送礼
Surprise
mum! USB AUDIO CASSETTE PLAYER AND MP3 CONVERTER Let your mum relive the past and give a gift that your mum will most appreciate. This is an USB audio cassette player that works like a conventional audio cassette player. Ask mum to press the play, fast-forward and rewind buttons like she would in the player of her past. It also converts old favourites in audio cassettes into MP3 format when connected to a computer and with the tape converter software that comes with it. Retails at www.harryq.com at S$39.00.
Paul & Shark’s coordinated flip-flops and sponge bag make a beach day a joy.
SPORTY MUM Get the outdoor mum the latest beachwear accessories from Paul & Shark’s Spring/Summer collection, which is especially extensive. They include braided and chamois leather bicoloured belts as well as linen and silk foulards with brushstroke-like patterns. Bags are available in raffia or extremely soft leather, in beige and blue that complement that of the hats. Paul & Shark also has an array of swimsuits in a wide spectrum of colours found in the main clothing collection of turquoise, lemon yellow, jade green and geranium in addition to the classic colours of white, red and blue, together with beach towels, colourful flip-flops and sponge bags decorated with Swarovski crystals. Paul & Shark is available exclusively at its boutique in Marina Bay Sands, Galleria Level.
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A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path. - Agatha Christie It’s a plug and play gadget that is so easy that any mum can handle it.
FESTIVE GIFTS
MUSIC TO HER EARS
A wireless and Bluetooth speaker.
Give your mum a boombox that allows her to use her smartphone or tablet to play and control her music from up to 50 feet away! Logitech UE™ Boombox is a Bluetooth speaker that can connect three mobile devices at the same time, allowing your mum to take turns with you or your dad in playing the music. The integrated, sculptured aluminum handle makes it easy for your mum to roam with uninterrupted music at her side. And with a six-hour rechargeable battery, your mum will have hours of song and music. Available at www.logitech.com or other major electronic stores at S$399.00.
TEA WITH MUM Present mum with an exquisite tea set which won an award at the Frankfurt Trade Fair last year. JENAER GLAS’ tea set is inspired by the Bauhaus design movement as it combines plain expression of forms with functionality, quality and durability. The geometric shape of the teapot balances the angular handle to form a balanced whole whilst still offering a surprising effect. It comes with a stainless steel strainer and a stainless steel saucer. The heat-resistant teapot and cup made of borosilicate glass are both mouth-blown, an indication that each and every piece is always unique.
Hand-made by master craftsmen in Germany.
TIME IN A SAFE
The tea set won the Interior Innovation Award 2012 awarded by the German Design Council.
If your mum is a keeper of elite watches, present her with BUBEN&ZORWEG’s Titan, a luxurious high-security safe that delights lovers of timepieces. The TITAN’s total weight of 730 kg, with high-security Swiss technology of the KABA locking system has been tested repeatedly. The TIME MOVER® watch winding element glides forwards when the TITAN is opened and turns 180 degrees at the press of a secret button, displaying 18 other watch winders. Retails at BUBEN&ZORWEG boutique in ION Orchard, #04-06. WINELIVING 115
MASSAGING ARMCHAIR This is one armchair your mum would not want to give up her seat to! OSIM uAngel is a retrochic armchair with an art décor feel. Just press a button and the retractable leg massager and back rest transforms into a therapeutic massage chair that delivers a fully functional neck-to toe massage. The retractable leg massager provides an invigorating massage to tired feet and legs. Equipped with intense squeeze-andknead massage action, roller reflexology and vibration, the uAngel’s specialised hyper-power foot massage is said to help ease deep-seated aches for those hard-working and tired legs after a long day. The innovative back rest and leg massager unit can also be fully retracted to save 34% of more living space. The armchair measures 86cm by 70cm. Retails at an introductory price of $1,988 (usual price $2,688) and available at all OSIM outlets, road shows and online at www.OSIM.com.
Multi leaf necklace with crystal bursts at S$430.00
A sofa-like therapeutic massage chair.
Cuff bracelet coral turquoise and white at S$300.00
Crystal leaves and coral ring at S$120.00
HANDCRAFTED ACCESSORIES A sure-please gift choice for mum is this Spring/Summer collection from Madrid-based designer Anton Heunis. The new range of statement jewellery from the “St Tropez” collection is great as gifts for mums who like a piece of jewellery that is both vintage and modern, and featuring bright coral and turquoise colours. Anton Heunis jewellery is worn by celebrities such as Nicole Richie and Kate Moss, and regularly showcased in leading fashion magazines around the world. The collection is now available on www.peachyshop.com.
116 WINELIVING
Collection de Fleur Necklace
It is bags galore at The Luxury Galleria.
A LOVE AFFAIR WITH DIAMONDS
LOVE IN A BAG Tell mum that she has been perfect to you with luxury handbags such as the coveted Birkin, Chanel, Chloe, Prada, Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Bottega Veneta and Yves Saint Laurent. The Luxury Galleria, a local and multi-label lifestyle retail boutique that opens its door last December at Robertson Walk, promises to put an end to the Birkin’s infamous unattainability. The boutique has an interior that has the likes of a very wealthy person’s home in Paris. Its Baroque influenced in-store décor lends a plush sense of comfort, while black and gold finishing peppers, creating a consistent thematic look and feel for the 1,500 sq feet space. The boutique caters to fans who have yearned to own infamously elusive luxury bags and allows them to pre-order most brands and models, with delivery ranging from two weeks at the quickest to about four to six weeks for the Birkin. All bags are directly imported from Europe and merchandise come with a security seal that allows a five-day grace period for customers to authenticate their purchase.
Warm your mum’s heart with Collection de Fleur. As its name suggests, Collection de Fleur takes its inspiration from the flower. It features a collection of necklaces and rings inspired by geometric patterns in 18k white gold. These designs reference William Morris and his deep interest and flair for medieval art and design during the Victorian era. They come encrusted with rows of dazzling round diamonds, around a lily cut diamond that shimmers as its centrepiece. Collection de Fleur marries past heritage art influences with the present day structures and modern curves. Available at Soo Kee Jewellery.
Collection de Fleur Ring
酒 品
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