Cover From left: Joel Lim; Jamie Koh; and Matthew Fergusson-Stewart
From left: Joel Lim; Jamie Koh; and Matthew Fergusson-Stewart
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Chinese New Year celebrations are as abundant as they come, but finding the perfect bottle to impress your hosts is no easy feat. We find out from drinks experts about their boozy picks for the Year of the Dragon
Picture this: Chinese New Year is fast approaching and you’re invited to legions of gatherings—from intimate family reunions to lively soirées with friends or even meeting your in-laws for the first time. Besides bringing a customary pair of Mandarin oranges, perhaps some libation, handpicked to complement the essence of each celebratory occasion, might be the key to keeping spirits high throughout the festives.
Lucky for you, Tatler Dining has turned to a trio of drinks experts for their insights and recommendations on picking the perfect bottle to bring to any CNY occasion. Here’s a quick introduction to put a face to the name: first up, we have Joel Lim, an award-winning professional sommelier who is also the general manager at Kumi Den, a low-intervention wine bar; next, Jamie Koh, founder of Brass Lion Distillery, Singapore’s first standalone micro-distillery; and Matthew Fergusson-Stewart, managing director of Spun Spirits and whisky brand ambassador at The Whisky Academy.
Read more: The sweetest Chinese New Year goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth in Singapore 2024
For the classic family reunion dinner…
Above Malt, Grain & Cane, Sunset Boulevard—Secret Orkney 2007, 15 Year
Malt, Grain & Cane, Sunset Boulevard—Secret Orkney 2007, 15 Year
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Joel’s Pick: Basket Range Pinot Noir 2020, Adelaide Hills, Australia
The classic family reunion dinner is a time when we’re often faced with a plethora of different dishes that include duck, pork, chicken, and especially fish at the table—to signify a fruitful year of surplus or abundance. With so many food options, I like to pick a light and juicy red wine that will go with the entire dinner. The Basket Range Pinot Noir is silky and light with a juicy red fruit character. A true crowd-pleaser that pairs well with a variety of dishes—even fish.
Jamie’s Pick: Lychee Lager from 1925 Brewing Co
For a family reunion dinner with my extended family, the drink of choice for many of the older folks is usually beer, and I enjoy introducing them to interesting beers. The Lychee Lager comes to mind as it is brewed locally and features lychee and rose aromas. I find that such familiar flavours that make for a great sessionable beer popular with both the young and old.
Matthew’s Pick: Malt, Grain & Cane, Sunset Boulevard—Secret Orkney 2007, 15 Year
Whisky is my water of life and for a classic family reunion, I’d go with a classic single malt Scotch whisky. Every family is unique, so why not get a unique single cask bottling from local independent bottler Malt, Grain & Cane? They have a fantastic selection, but a real crowd-pleaser would be their Secret Orkney 2007. At 65.8 percent, it packs a punch. The flavours are divine with roasted almonds, marzipan and Szechuan pepper fading into sweet sherry and cream, before a rich oily finish that slowly deepens with affogato and charred wood.
For the “meeting your in-laws for the first time” reunion dinner…
Joel’s Pick: Josmeyer ‘Le Dragon’ Riesling 2019, Alsace, France
The Le Dragon is a single parcel of old vines riesling from Turckheim. The grapes are grown on limestone soil which makes it a pretty intense, apple-fresh, floral and refreshing wine. I love it as it goes well with Chinese dishes and has great drinkability. The emblematic name of this place called “Drachenloch” means “the cave of the Dragon” in French. It is linked to a legend of Turckheim where a dragon, after having fought the sun finds refuge in this cave. His blood would have fertilised the soil of the place. The year 2024 is also the year of the Dragon which makes a great story to tell and perfect as an icebreaker when meeting the in-laws for the first time.
Jamie’s Pick: Ceretto Barolo DOCG
My go-to is a fine bottle of wine when I’m not sure what someone’s drink of choice is. But choosing the right wine for the in-laws is no easy task. You want a bottle that’s not too common, but nothing too unconventional either. For this, I’d pick a bottle of barolo and going with a renowned producer such as Ceretto is a fail-safe.
Matthew’s Pick: Procera Blue Dot Gin
The first meeting is a tricky one—you want to make a great impression, but you also have to be versatile and flexible until you know their tastes. A super-premium gin like Procera Blue Dot Gin fits like a glove. Firstly, the bottle is stunning and absolutely unique to make your impression, and the liquid itself is beautiful. It is made with a different species of juniper to any other gin—juniperus Procera—giving a soft silky texture and a great story to tell. If your in-laws love strong drinks, you can make killer martinis, or simply chill out with gin and tonic. If the conversation gets slow and awkward, you can always wax lyrical about Procera’s botanical salt, hand-blown glass bottle, or the neck tag made of recycled paper.
In case you missed it: The most creative yu sheng platters you can find this Chinese New Year in Singapore 2024
For the casual reunion dinner with friends…
Joel’s Pick: Galaxy Jay Walking’ Pale Ale from Brewlander
Nothing is better than having an iced cold beer with a close group of friends, catching up and having a good time. This craft ale is captivating, layered, and refreshing yet complex at the same time. It’s an immensely balanced beer which is hoppy yet full of ripe tropical fruit flavours. I think it is a highly crushable masterpiece brewed by John Wei, a true local craft beer legend and founder of Brewlander—Singapore’s leading craft beer brewery.
Jamie’s Pick: Código 1530 Rosa Tequila
Reunion dinner with friends is all about having a good time and a bottle of tequila never fails to bring the fun. Código 1530 Rosa Tequila has a rosy pink hue and floral notes from being aged in uncharred French White Oak Napa Valley Cabernet wine barrels. It’s smooth and a great festive alternative to traditional tequila.
Matthew’s Pick: Tiki Lovers Pineapple Rum
Huat ah! The Tiki Lovers Pineapple Rum almost can’t go wrong. It’s macerated with real fresh pineapple and you can see some of the real fruit left in the final product. Pineapples represent good luck and good fortune in Chinese culture, so it's a perfect symbol with which to celebrate Chinese New Year. The flavoured rum is also a fun and delicious spirit that is perfect as a long drink or a shot with good friends to ring in the new year.
For a spirited gift for your boss or client…
Joel’s Pick: Royal Salute ‘The Treasured Blend’ 25-Year-Old Whisky
Royal Salute was created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and since then, it’s been the official partner to all ceremonial Royal gun salutes at the Tower of London. The blend is bottled in a beautifully crafted porcelain flagon enhanced with gold detailing and a jewelled stopper. I like that it’s complex and robust with decadent sweetness complemented by notes of prunes, treacle toffee, dark chocolate and caramelised figs. A beautiful 25-year-old whisky that is iconic, tasty and yet so beautiful to look at—a perfect gift.
Jamie’s Pick: Brass Lion Distillery Cask Strength Whisky
For something a little more exclusive, our Brass Lion Cask Strength Whisky—Singapore’s first whisky—is available by allocation only. Alternatively, a gin from our very own Brass Lion Tea series would be perfect as a gift this Chinese New Year. Our Osmanthus Oolong Gin features fruity top notes, a heart of juniper and eucalyptus, with subtle notes of oolong tea to finish. Our Pearl Jasmine Gin, on the other hand, is bright and elegant with fresh green tea notes and a rich, floral finish.
Matthew’s Pick: Tanglin Black Powder Gin
You want spirited? Then the Tanglin Black Powder Gin is the ultimate pick. Not only does it clock in at a delicious and oily 58 percent, it has also won Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition an unprecedented four years in a row. To top it off, it is produced right here in Singapore, at Singapore’s first gin distillery. Perfect for a local, but even more thoughtful if your boss or client is from overseas as they can enjoy a sumptuous part of Singaporean heritage.
Credits
Images: Joel Lim
Images: Brass Lion Distillery
Images: Matthew Fergusson-Stewart
Images: Spun Spirits
