TRAVEL & WINE EXPERIENCES AROUND THE WORLD
Updated 30 Sep 2024
Singapore
Its all about the Wines. Food. Cocktails.
One of our favorite cities to visit as its set to become the next wine hub of Asia. There's quite a collection of wines from all the world in Singapore. Photo by Swapnil Bapat
Dining with Wines.
Wine is best expressed with food and friends. Here's some of our favorites places in Singapore.
Violet Oon
Violet Oon | This is located at the National Galley. Chef Violet Oon, born a Nyonya in 1949, is the grande dame of Singaporean cooking. Nyonya cooking combines both traditional Chinese and Malay techniques and ingredients which includes a myriad spices. The aromatic and spicy dish presents a good wine pairing challenge. A left bank chablis or the vibrant Italian Whites would pair quite well. Château-neuf-du-Pape would be married quite beautifully with the candlenut curry dishes.
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​1 St Andrew's Rd, #02–01 National Gallery.
Photo from Website
TUGA
TUGA | One of my favorite place to explore the world of Portuguese Wines including Ports and Madeira wines. It's a place where they can come back to immerse yourself into Portuguese culture even if you don’t travel to Portugal. “TUGA” is deeply related to the Portuguese soul. It’s actually an affable colloquialism meaning a Portuguese person who is so proud to be Portuguese. Say hello to David or Carlos and try wines from Azores, Douro, Setubal or Ports.
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Block 8, Dempsey Hill
Photo from Facebook/tugasingapore
Nicholas Le Restaurant
Nicholas Le Restaurant | Located in the area of Kreta Ayer off Keong Saik Rd, Chef Nicolas is originally from the South of France as a legendary Chef. In 2007, he opened his own restaurant in Singapore. The wine list is extensive and features a long list of Burgundy wines. Do say hello to Chef Nicolas and his amazing team.
10 Teck Lim Road, Singapore 088386
Map
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http://www.restaurantnicolas.com/
Photo from Facebook@restaurantnicolas
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Bakalaki Greek Tavern
Bakalaki Greek Tavern | One of my favorite place to explore the world of Greek wines paired with authentic greek cuisine from the rich culinary history and fabulous offerings of the Eastern Mediterranean.
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38A Martin Rd
Photo from Facebook/BakalakiGreekTaverna
Cicheti
Cicheti | (pronounced chee-keh-tee) are the signature small plates native to Venetian bàcaris, or wine bars, Located in a two-storey shophouse unit along Kandahar St and helmed by Aun. A curated list of over 40 labels from some of oldest wine-producing regions in the world as well as featuring some of the lesser known varietals of Italy.
52 Kandahar St, Singapore 198901
Map
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Photo from Facebook/cicheti
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Wine Bars
Here's some of our favorite wine bars to check out while in town.
Wine RVLT
Wine RVLT | A fun wine bar in revolution of Natural, Organic, Low Intervention wines. Founded by 2 Singaporean sommeliers Alvin Gho and Ian Lim who work with honest and humble winemakers passionate about their wines thats fun, real and enjoyable.
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38 Carpenter St, #01-01
Photo from Facebook/winervlt
Deviate Wine Bar
Deviate Wine Bar | Hidden in a little corner of Dempsey, a quirky little venue that serves up some of the tastiest wine complete with gusto, not pretentiousness. A hangout spot loved by the local community. Winetasting events held regularly.
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71 Loewen Rd, 01-06 Down the stairs.
Photo from Facebook/deviatewinebarSG
Fool
Fool Wine Bar | This is created by Chef Rishi Naleendra, Cloud Street. Have a chat with Head Sommelier Davis Tan who will help you explore the world through wines. Paired with a selective menu and snacks, the vibe is unpretentious with explorative drinking.
21 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069620
Photo from Facebook/foolwine.sg
Local Cuisine.
Singaporean food from the classics to the contemporary lends itself from many cultures. Here's some of the popular dishes that we had some fun pairing wine with.
Singaporean Chilli Crab
Singaporean Chilli Crab | It is considered one of Singapore's national dishes. Usually a Mud crab, wok fried with a chilli sambal tomato rich sauce.
DOC Alentejo, Amphora White blend 2021, Portugal
Ricardo, Wine Maker.
Photo from Jumbo Seafood
Singapore style Satay
Singapore styled Satay | With origins from Java, Indonesia, the Singaporean Satay is usually chicken or beef skewers that's marinated with lemongrass, tumeric and spices, barbequed over charcoal. Served with cucumbers, onions and Ketupat (a rice cake), dipped into a peanut sauce. Usually matched with beer.
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The Lane Shiraz 2023, Barossa Australia
Josephine, Chef, Singapore
Photo from Nomadette.com/chicken-satay/
Ayam Buah Keluak
Ayam Buah Keluak | Ayam Buah Keluak is a classic Peranakan dish. Made with chicken braised in a thick, spicy tamarind gravy with buah keluak (candlenut), also known as the Truffle of Asia. It is one of the most laborious dish, usually served during festive occasions.
Paltrinieri Radice Lambrusco di Sorbara 2021
JJ, International Cabin Crew, Sydney​
Photo from Timeout Singapore
Cocktails in the Lion City.
Singapore is also home to a great band of Bartenders, some internationally well known with many awards, some homegrown using local ingredients and food waste. Here are some of my must-visits while I am in Singapore.
Native Bar
Native Bar | Native is one gem I discovered. Home grown bartenders using local ingredients, even Ants or food waste to create a beautiful cocktail such as my favourite cocktail ANTS and the PERANAKAN using goat's milks and JackFruit rum.
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52A Amoy St
Photo from www.facebook.com/nativebarsg
Brass Lion Distillery
Brass Lion Distillery | Jamie created this distillery to feature the first Singaporean spirits made in Singapore, by Singapore, using local ingredients including traditional chinese medicine ingredients during the distillation process. A great circle when gin was first invented to cure malaria. A local botanist is also roped in to help create specialty gins such as Hawthorn gin (like sloe), chocolate gin, butterfly pea gin, osmanthus oolong gin, jasmine gin.
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Book in for the Gin School to create your gin or improve on your botanicals profile by touching, smelling, tasting from their herb garden and lab. Great class for sommeliers too.
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40 Alexandra Terrace, Singapore 119933
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https://brassliondistillery.com
Photo from Facebook.com/brassliondistillery
The Other Room
The Other Room | Speakeasy bar located at Marriot Orchard. Inspired by International award winning Bartender Dario Knox created a world of cocktails right here in Singapore. My drink is the Reversed Gin and Tonic, smoked with grapefruit peels.
Located in Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
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https://www.theotherroom.com.sg
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Tanglin Gin Distillery
Tanglin Gin Distillery | Presenting Singapore’s first ever gin; The Tanglin Orchid Gin. Classic yet Modern with juniper herbaceous notes and the addition of Vanilla Planifolia Orchid with hints of spice, Amchoor. Experience this at Tanglin Gin Jungle @ Dempsey Hill.
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26A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 247692
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Photo from www.facebook.com/TanglinGin
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