The Austrian Wine Festival is back for the third time. The bottles and program keep getting bigger and bigger!
The Austrian Wine Festival is back! This year Singapore wine lovers have the chance to discover Austria’s one-of-a-kind wines and to experience the awesome-quality they bring to the glass and dinner table.
The month-long celebration (17 February to 17 March 2012) will kick off on Friday, Feb. 17th with ‘The Balthazar Night at Brasserie Wolf’ – where magnificent 12-litre Balthazar bottles flown directly in from Austria are making their first appearance - and disappearance from the glass - in Singapore.
If you have never seen one of these immense bottles it’s inspiring – not to mention watching the sommelier flex his/her muscles to decant the behemoths. One bottle alone is equivalent to 16 standard bottles of wine, and is pretty much bigger than your average 1 year old kid!
Throughout the Austrian Wine Festival 2012 anyone can rock up to participating restaurants and wine bars to taste a range of 20 top wines from eight premium Austrian wineries. On that list are: Brasserie Wolf, Les Amis, Table At 7, Novus, The Steakhouse, Tippling Club, Song Of India, Peach Blossoms at Marina Mandarin, Guy Savoy at Marina Bay Sands, Vintry, The Tastings Room, Group Therapy Café, Praelum Wine Bistro, Chef Daniel’s Kitchen, Bodega Y Tapas and Recipes by Shatec. Plenty of choice for cuisine and budget…
Make the rounds to discover wines made from Austria’s indigenous grape varieties like Gruner Veltliner, Blaufrankisch and Zwigelt – and try some of Austria’s terroir-driven international favourites like Riesling and Pinot Noir to see how they compare.
One standing invitation comes from The Tasting Room where guest can enjoy a three-course set menu without wines at $38++ ($68++ with wines) throughout the entire month. Try dishes like Truffle Mushroom Purée Soup, Sous Vide Pork Belly with Crackling Skin, and dessert of Earl Grey Crème Brulée paired with a beautiful selection of Austrian wines.
If food is essential to the wine experience there are winemaker dinners featuring selected Austrian wineries such as Johanneshof Reinisch, Markowitsch and Tement, hosted by participating restaurants. And one special highlight is the Tement winemaker’s dinner at Les Amis featuring the culinary mastery of 1-Michelin star guest chef Christian Winkler from Restaurant Schindlhaus in Austria.
No doubt, the hills around Claymore Road will be alive with the sound of…WINE!
For the oenophile-purist Austrian wine expert, Michael Thurner will conduct a series of educational encounters throughout the month to enlighten noses & palates on the wines and wine styles. As a presenter he’s both informative and entertaining –add good wines into the mix and it’s sure to be an enjoyable learning experience.
If you’re an American Express cardholder you score a clear win ALL MONTH since AmEx is the presenting partner for the Austrian Wine Festival 2012. This will mean American Express cardholders enjoy exclusive dining privileges and discounts at all participating restaurants and venues throughout the month.
Here are some highlights from Austrian Wine Festival 2012:
OPENING EVENT
The Balthazar Night at Brasserie Wolf
Note: Come with an appetite because 12 top chefs are cooking for you!
Date: 17 February 2012 (Friday), 7pm
Where: Brasserie Wolf, 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, The Pier at Robertson #01-13
Price: S$199++ per person (American Express Cardmemberswith bin numbers starting 37620 and 37621 enjoy 15% savings)
This convivial wine-food pairing dinner features top Austrian wines served from some magnificent 12-litre Balthazar bottles that are making their appearance for the FIRST time in Singapore to mark the launch of the Austrian Wine Festival. This special event also brings together an ensemble of top Austrian chefs in Singapore (see below) and 1-Michelin star guest chef, Christian Winkler of Restaurant Schindlhaus, Austria, who have designed an exclusive eight-course Austrian menu just for this night.
Austrian Cuisine, Refined At Les Amis
Date: 18 February 2012 (Saturday)
Price: $288++ (7-course wine dinner) This exclusive wine dinner presents a taste of refined Austrian cuisine that’s created by Austrian chef de cuisine of Les Amis, Armin Leitgeb, and 1-Michelin star chef Christian Winkler from Restaurant Schindlhaus in Austria. Together, they add a touch of refinement and creativity to their favourite Austrian classics to create dishes like Jellied Suckling Pig Terrine, and Crayfish With Aromatic Pumpkin Stock and Cabbage Rolls. Winemaker – Armin Tement - from Tement vineyard will be presenting their wines.
Wine Talk with Michael Thurner, Austrian Wine & Food Pairing Dinner At Recipes by Shatec
Date: 28 February 2012 (Tuesday)
Price: Check out TLN event calendar for updates on the price
Indulge in a set dinner prepared by Chef Daniel Chin and tuck into signature dishes like the Veal Cooked Two Ways: Classic Wiener Schnitzel and Ragout Strudel with red wine glaze, compote shallot and confit carrot. Austrian wine expert, Michael Thurner, will be leading the wine talk and tasting.
Winemaker’s Dinner with Markowitsch At Tippling Club + Open Door Policy
Date: 8 March 2012 (Thursday)
Price: Check out TLN event calendar for updates on the price
The ever-creative Chef Ryan Clift will delight diners with his unique creations including the Foie Gras Coulant ‘Gluhwein’, with spiced bread, crispy wine & stevia.
Winemaker’s Dinner with Gerhard Markowitsch of Markowitsch At Peach Blossoms
Date: 9 March 2012 (Friday)
Price: $108++ (6-course wine dinner)
Enjoy a unique sumptuous six-course Chinese dinner paired with the wines from Markowitsch that will be presented by its winemaker, Gerhard Markowitsch. Chef Chan Shun Wong has come up with dishes like Steamed Fillet of Grouper with Chinese Wine & Egg White, Barbecued Peking Duck, and Stir-fried Wagyu Beef Cubes with Black Pepper and Longans.
Wine Tasting & Masterclass with Michael Thurner & Winemaker of Markowitsch At Praelum Wine Bistro
Date: 10 March 2012 (Saturday)
Price: Check out TLN event calendar for updates on the price
Wine Talk with Michael Thurner - Austria’s Best Kept Secret At Group Therapy Café
Date: 10 March 2012 (Saturday)
Price: Check out TLN event calendar for updates on the price
Austrian Wine Dinner – Hosted by Michael Thurner At The Tastings Room
Date: 15 March 2012 (Thursday)
Price: $78++ for 4-course set dinner with wines
Savour a four-course dinner with wine pairings from Markowitsch. Chef Athejo Chia will prepare dishes include Watercress Soup with Poached Quail Egg, and Slow Roasted Coriander-crusted Rack of Lamb & Lamb Loin Served With Port Wine Jus.
From 17 February to 17 March 2012, The Tasting Room will serve a three-course set menu without wines at $38++ ($68++ with wines). Enjoy dishes like Truffle Mushroom Puree Soup, Sous Vide Pork Belly with Crackling Skin, and dessert of Earl Grey Crème Brulee.
Winemaker’s Dinner with Johanneshof Reinisch At Guy Savoy
Date: 16 March 2012 (Friday)
Price: Check out TLN event calendar for updates on the price
Relish exquisite creations by Chef Eric Bost such as his signature dish of Artichoke and Black Truffle Soup, served with toasted mushroom brioche and black truffle butter.
Winemaker’s Dinner with Michael Reinisch of JR Reinisch At Vintry
Date: 20 March 2012 (Tuesday)
Price: Check out TLN event calendar for updates on the price
From 20 to 26 February 2012, Vintry is also serving a three-course set menu without wines at $50++ (Austrian wines are available at additional costs). Chef Wayne Chan will prepare dishes like Thai-style Mussel Salad, and Lamb Shanks Braised In Masala Red Sauce.
Winemaker’s Dinner with Michael Reinisch of JR Reinisch At Table At 7
Date: 22 March 2012 (Thursday)
Price: Check out TLN event calendar for updates on the price
Expect a memorable dinner prepared by Austrian Chef Karl Dobler that will be paired with the lovely wines of JR Reinisch.
Chef Daniel’s Kitchen
Date: 17 February to 17 March 2012
Price: $100 for 3-course set menu with wines
Enjoy the starter of White Asparagus with Parma Ham, and chef’s award-winning signature dish of Pan-seared Salmon Medallions.
The Steakhouse
Date: 17 February to 17 March 2012
Price: $90++ for 3-course set menu with wines
The young and talented Austrian Chef Emmanuel Gruber won’t disappoint palates with dishes like the appetiser of Citrus Cured Salmon, and the main of Veal Osso Bucco served with mashed potato and cremolata.
How To Book
The public can make reservations directly at the respective participating restaurants and venues. For more info on the events and the participants’ details, please visit the website www.austrianwinefestival.com
Note: Selected winemakers’ dinner menus and wine tasting notes are available upon request.
Contributed by Sarah Mayo, TLN Editor
