With so much to sip and sample at ProWine Asia (Singapore) from 24-27 April 2018, here’s the lowdown on what not to miss.

If you’ve registered for your free badge to ProWine Asia (Singapore) 2018, congratulations! (If you haven’t, you can still get in as a trade visitor with a SGD80 admission fee.) We’ll see you at the second edition of one of Singapore’s biggest wine and spirit trade fairs, which is packing in 300 exhibitors from 31 countries.

Here are our insider’s shortcuts to all the highlights of ProWine Asia (Singapore) 2018. All events take place at Hall 10, Singapore Expo.

Don’t miss: Masterclasses and Seminars.

With just up to six masterclasses a day with limited availability at the ProWine Asia Forum in Hall 10, some workshops are already fully booked. We’re talking about highly sought-after seats to “How to Taste Blind” by Singapore’s own Master of Wine, Tan Ying Hsien, and “Bordeaux – the Seminal Fine Wine Region” of the World by WSET® speaker Jackie Ang (who’s also hailed as the “Super Taster”) and Dr Huijian – yup, all fully booked.

But there are still a few classes for the discerning:

Wine Country Austria, 1-3.15pm, 26 April.

Master of Wine, Annette Scarfe, who’s an avid fan of cool-climate Austrian wines, will be explaining the different varietals and terroirs of Austria, over a lovely selection of wines to taste. If you can’t get enough, you can also head for additional tastings of Austrian wine at their booth, 10D2-06 Hall 10.

Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky, 3.30-4.30pm, 24 April; 4.45-5.45pm, 26 April; 11.45am-12.45pm, 27 April.

Michael Wheeler, the Penderyn Global Brand Ambassador, has not one but three seminars on the first commercially available whisky from Wales, which is exhibiting for the first time at ProWine Asia. Drop by if you want to learn more about ex-Madeira cask finish maturation and other creative uses of wood, or the importance of single pot distillation to make a smooth and fruity whisky.

Southeast Asian Wines, 2.15-3.15pm, 24 April; 3.30-4.30pm, 26 April; 2.15-3.15pm, 27 April.

Can you take wines from Southeast Asia seriously? Eddie McDougall, “the flying winemaker” and wine critic, assures you a journey of insights into the trends and wines of the region, together with essential tastings. One of the sessions is specifically catered on an introduction to Indonesian wines.

To sign up, click on the register buttons on respective masterclasses and seminars at: http://singapore.prowineasia.com/masterclass-and-seminars.html.

Don’t miss: Asian wines and spirits.

Speaking of Southeast Asia, have you had a taste of mead made in Singapore, Grover Wines from India and wines from Siam Winery?

Our friends from Parched Asia deep dives into some of the interesting spirits from around the world you’ll find at ProWine Asia (Singapore) 2018.

“There are currently 13 countries in East Asia producing commercial wines and each of those locations has created their own localised demand. I see the paradigm shifting daily from an elevated consumption level of imported brands towards those that are produced on the doorstep of Asia. This is an exciting era for the artisans of the region,” said Eddie McDougall, from the Asian Wine Review, and also speaker at ProWine Asia (Singapore) 2018.

We’re particularly proud of Singapore’s very own Rachelle the Rabbit Meadery, which produces traditional style mead in their production facilities in Tuas. Using a single source of honey co-fermented with spices and fruits, they currently have four flavours (pictured above) – such as the Double Kick, with orange, cinnamon and cloves. Look for them at 10H2-10, Hall 10.

Don’t miss: Breakout reds.

When you think Italian, you think Chianti, and when you think Spain, you think Rioja. While white wines are also popular in these regions, what really stands out are the Sangiovese from Chianti, and Tempranillo and Garnacha from Rioja.

Over at the Chianti Pavilion, which is participating as a region for the first time at ProWine Asia (Singapore), 35 companies will be taking part. Join in for a juicy session as local wine author and critic Edwin Soon guides participants on a tasting journey on 26 April, 11.45am-12.145pm, bringing your taste buds on a journey to “Experience the Unmistakeable Taste of Tuscany” by Chianti D.O.C.G..

Rioja returns for the second time, bringing guests a taste of this top region for wines in Northern Spain. With modern winemaking and greater selection of grapes adapted to the region’s climate and soils, wines from Rioja have achieved global fame. Get first-hand taste at the seminar, “Trip to Spain’s Wine Regions“, on 25 April, 11.45am-12.45pm, led by local sommelier Indra Kumar, who was awarded Singapore’s Best Sommelier 2009.

Don’t miss: Champagne Lounge.

It’s back! The ever-popular bubbly gets its own exclusive stage at ProWine Asia (Singapore) in a conducive area to learn more about the heritage and know-how of various Champagne houses. This year, get up close with 11 brands: Champagne Aspasie, Champagne Beaumont des Crayeres, Champagne Cattier, Champagne Didier Chopin, Champagne Vincent D’Astree, Champagne Maxime Blin, Champagne Vollereaux, Champagne H. Blin, Champagne Pierre Mignon, Champagne A. Bergere, and Champagne de Barfontarc.

Some houses date back to 1794 (Champagne Aspasie) while others are just getting started (Champagne Didier Chopin in 1989). If you’ve not tasted a 100% Pinot Meunier bottling, check out Champagne H.Blin which presents three cuvees of this rare single varietal.

Don’t miss: Back to nature wines.

While hundreds of wines will be showcased at ProWine Asia (Singapore) this year, a quiet but growing segment of the market will be focused on environmentally-friendly and natural approaches to their products. Two local distributors in particular have shared their views, and their wines, ahead of the event.

Our friends at Highest Spirits believe that ProWine Asia is a great place to understand current and future wine trends.

Roderic Proniewski, Director of Asia Wine Network, says, “We believe that sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines are the future. While the current market share for organic wines is still relatively small, this number will only grow as consumers become more affluent, educated and health-conscious. We are glad to be one of the first few to bring biodynamic wines to Singapore, and we look forward to showcasing our collection at ProWine Asia.” Look for Asia Wine Network’s labels such as Wente Winery at their booth at 10H3-01 Hall 10.

[Photo credit: Highest Spirits]

Meanwhile, Wines of Ronda is presented by Two Grapes, a local wine distribution start-up founded recently in 2015. The owners are passionate aboout the sustainable and organic wines from Ronda, D.O. Sierras de Malaga, and hold exclusive rights for over 40 labels by 10 wineries in Ronda. All it takes is a taste of the fresh, mineral and complex Garnacha Finca Los Frutales 2014, from Bodega Joaquin Fernandez, to convince you of the region’s quality levels and finesse. Hurry over to booth 10J4-05 Hall 10.

Don’t miss: WSET® Level 1 award in wines, 10.30am-6pm, 26 April.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET®) from the UK is one of the most recognised names in wine and spirit education. If you’re just starting out in the world of wines, this is the ideal hands-on introduction for you. You’ll explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the basic skills to describe wines accurately, and make food and wine pairings. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET® certificate and lapel pin. Trade visitors are given the special course fee of $300 nett.

To book your place in this session, contact Verity Martin or Christ Martin at vmartin@wsetglobal.com or cmartin@wsetglobal.com

Don’t miss: Beers and craft beers.

It’s not just wine and spirits at this fair, the beer market is well represented too. United Dutch Breweries in Breda was among the first to export Dutch beers all over the world, and will be presenting some interesting products under its Oranjeboom brand. First up, Beers of the World, a range comprising spicy & grainy Wheat Ale, fruity & malty Amber Ale, hoppy & refreshing India Pale Ale and smooth & roasted Imperial Stout. And, tapping on the increasing demand for low ABV products, they are also proudly introducing two innovative high-quality beers, namely the Oranjeboom Non-Alcoholic Lager (0.4%) and the Oranjeboom Light Lager (3.2%). Follow the fizz to 10A2-01 Hall 10.

About time you got to know a new Italian craft beer. Otus Brewery by the Quattroerre Group with its quirky owl labels, are known for its ales, pils and special editions, and can be found at 10J3-07 Hall 10.

You may soon be saying sveikinimai – that’s cheers in Lithuanian. The Lithuanian Brewers Guild (LAG) was founded in 1991, and has established itself as the main specialised organization representing the burgeoning beer sector in Lithuania. It’s a strong champion of Lithuanian brewing traditions and will be bringing beer culture straight to you at 10L3-01 Hall 10.

And last but not least, Singapore’s very own gypsy brewery Brewlander & Co’s brewmaster John Wei (pictured above) will be presenting “Introduction to Craft Beers” on 24 April, 1-2pm at the ProWine Asia (Singapore) Forum. With 10 years of brewing under his belt, there’s no better guide to learn how craft beer is made, along with differentiating popular beer styles from around the world.

For more information, head to the ProWine Asia website.

 

This article has been brought to you in partnership with ProWine Asia.

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