The senior sommelier of this contemporary straits restaurant shares her most memorable pours and what she'd probably be doing if she weren't in the wine industry
Our By The Glass series sees sommeliers and wine experts share some vinous inspiration for your next pour.
Sommelier Helen Chong is a familiar face in the local drinks industry, having worked at notable establishments such as Les Amis, Summer Pavilion (where she introduced the grower champagne and dim sum pairing) and La Terre Wine Bar. Today, she is the senior sommelier at contemporary straits restaurant, Pangium, helmed by chef-owner Malcolm Lee. Here, she has curated a concise wine list comprising classic pours and niche varieties which complement Lee’s delectable creations. Here are some of her favourite pours.
Read more: Tatler Dining Guide 2022: The Winners of the Best of the Year Awards
An early (in your career) wine that made you go ‘Wow! I want to be a sommelier’
Helen Chong (HC): Way too many wines have inspired my journey. It would be hard for me to single one out. Frankly, what really inspired me to become a sommelier were the people I worked with and the guests who enjoyed the wines I had handpicked for them. They bring me great joy.
Most memorable pour?
HC: 1982 Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet—the first bottle of vintage wine that I opened beautifully on my own without breaking the cork.
Tipple for a Tuesday?
HC: 2020 Domaine de Bellevue “Macération”, a pinot gris from the Loire Valley in France. It is a skin contact (also known as orange or amber wine) white wine made like red wine. It is fermented with grape skins, which impart colour, body and complexity. It has a seductive tanginess similar to the flavour of orange and citrus, lively red cherries, hints of peaches, and a mouth-watering mineral finish. These flavours complement the unique dishes at Pangium.
