Italian Sommeliers Association

𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 📍 Singapore, 9th June 2025. We joined the @capannamontalcino Masterclass, presented by Federico Biondi and hosted by @dscellars Capanna is a 4th-generation, family-owned winery founded in 1957, known for its traditional approach to Brunello. Wines tasted: - Rosso del Cerro 2023 - Brunello di Montalcino 2020 - Brunello di Montalcino 2020 “Nicco” - Brunello di Montalcino 2019 - Brunello di Montalcino 2019 “Nicco” - Brunello di Montalcino 2018 - Sant’Antimo Rosso DOC 2021 - Moscadello di Montalcino 2024 #CapannaWinery #CapannaMontalcino #BrunelloDiMontalcino #WineTastingSingapore #Montalcino #ItalianWine #wineplus #wineplusitalian #italiansommeliers #wineeducator #wineambassador #brandambassadorpost

𝗜𝗦 𝗛𝗞 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗛𝗨𝗕 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗦?

📍 Singapore, 11th June 2025.

📰 After 17 years, Zachys Wine Auctions – the first major Western wine auction house to establish itself in Hong Kong following the 2008 tax reform – has officially exited the city.

Key facts:
- Zachys launched in 2008, the same year wine duties were abolished.
- It helped shape HK into a global fine wine marketplace.
- On May 9, 2025, the company held its final auction and discontinued local services, including wine storage.

Zachys’ retreat reflects a broader question: 𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮? What’s your view?

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲: 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱

📍 Singapore, 10th June, 2025.

In 2024, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲 output reached 𝟮𝟳𝟭 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀.
For the second year in a row, Champagne production is decreasing.

Champagne has always been the wine of celebration, but in recent years, with war, inflation, and global uncertainty, there has been less to celebrate, and perhaps, less desire to open a bottle.

But Champagne has never been just bubbles, it’s history, resilience, and identity. During WWI, 40% of the vineyards were destroyed, yet Champagne recovered and remains a global icon of luxury and celebration.

Do you see this as a pause… or part of a normal cycle?

𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗶 𝗗𝗢𝗖𝗚: 𝟰𝟬𝟬 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟵𝟬 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰? 📍 Praelum Wine Bistro, Singapore 🗓 21 April 2025 Yesterday’s trade-only tasting was a rare opportunity to dive into the world of Champagne Billecart-Salmon, guided by Antoine Roland-Billecart, 6th generation of this historic Champagne House. Some key takeaways from the session: 🏡 Founded in 1818 by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, near Épernay 🍾 Still family-run today, with the 7th generation now at lead 🗣️ Antoine shared how their motto endures: “Give priority to quality, strive for excellence” 🌍 Billecart-Salmon Champagnes are found on the top tables in France and around the world, yet remain deeply connected to family and tradition 🥂 Wines tasted included: 1) Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2) Le Rose 3) Rendev-Vous No Cinq 4) Brut Sous Bois 5) Nicolas François 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟮 ⏳ One of Billecart’s signatures: exceptionally long lees aging — 10 years for the Rendez-Vous No. Cinq and 150 months (almost 13 years) for the Nicolas François 2012. A special thank you to Angra Wine & Spirit Importers, Sommelier Association of Singapore and the team at Praelum Wine Bistro for the warm welcome and perfect setting. #ChampagneBillecartSalmon #TradeTasting #SingaporeWineScene #SommelierLife #ChampagneHeritage #WineInSingapore #ItalianSommelier #ItalianSommelierAbroad #WinePlus #WinePlusItalian #ChampagneElegance #familyownedwinery