French wines may have dominated the list of winners at The Business Times Wine Challenge 2015 - CEOs' Choice award ceremony, but Australian and Californian wines also put up a good fight with two stand-out wines each.
The two Aussie wines are Garagiste Merricks Pinot Noir 2012 and Pierro Chardonnay, Margaret River, 2012.
From the Golden State are Byron, Santa Barbara, Pinot Noir 2013 and Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2011.
The latter also received the Top Contemporary Wine 2015 award, a new category introduced this year.
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TOP 10 WINES
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Domaine Pierre Labet Meursault Les Tillets 2012 ($97)
Distributor: Corney & Barrow, tel: 6809-3900
Pierro Chardonnay, Margaret River, 2012 ($118)
Distributor: Hai Choo Wines & Spirits, tel: 6515-6538/9
Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca 2013 ($70)
Distributor: Alfa International, tel: 6222-3977
Garagiste Merricks Pinot Noir 2012 ($78.50)
Distributor: Sarment, tel: 6636-9863
Byron, Santa Barbara, Pinot Noir 2013 ($62)
Distributor: Enoteca Co, tel: 6836-3068
Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2011 ($84.50)
Distributor: Richfield Brands & Services, tel: 6764-9463
Remoissenet Pere & Fils Nuits St Georges 2010 ($96)
Distributor: Le Sommelier Consulting, tel: 6333-1982
Chateau Certan de May, Pomerol, 2009 ($150)
Distributor: Vinum Fine Wines, tel: 6735-3700
Yves Cuilleron Crozes Hermitage Rouge Laya 2012 ($63)
Distributor: Alfa International, tel: 6222-3977
Bodegas Epifanio Rivera, Ribera del Duero, Tinto Fino 2011 ($52)
Distributor: KAL Wine
Source Asia, e-mail swt@wine-source.com
The other new category is Top Classic Wine 2015. The award went to French wine Chateau Certan de May, Pomerol, 2009, also one of the wines on the top 10 list.
Four French wines featured on the list, along with a wine each from Italy and Spain.
The awards ceremony took place yesterday at the UBS AG office at One Raffles Quay.
The event is into its third year and awards are given out by Singapore Press Holdings' financial daily The Business Times in partnership with Swiss banking group UBS.
In July, a record 176 entries were submitted by registered wine wholesale companies and merchants based in Singapore.
A panel of industry experts shortlisted 50 of the entries as Judges Picks. The experts include chief judge and international wine specialist Lim Hwee Peng, founder and sommelier Maximilien Fedkiw of Le Bistrot du Sommelier and Les Amis Group's director of wines Timothy Goh.
They were assisted by two guest judges - The White Rabbit's managing partner and group sommelier mentor Kelvin Tay and Resorts World Sentosa's chef-sommelier Kenneth Au.
The blind tastings started in August and the top 10 winners were picked by a panel of chief executive wine connoisseurs. They included Mr Chris Chong of Orchard Turn Developments, Mr Patrick Chong of The Luxasia Group and Ms Rosalynn Tay of Dentsu Aegis Network/Singapore.
Les Amis Group's Mr Goh, 34, who has been a judge for the list since it started in 2013, says: "We've seen the best submissions for this year's awards. I'm happy to see that we have Australian and Californian wines in the top 10.
"It reflects the Singapore wine scene where consumers are looking for more diverse wines."
Eunice Quek
