From the Blog

Thinking of getting into the wine game? Well, one of the first things to do would be to learn how to choose a good bottle of wine. What constitutes a good bottle of wine, you ask? 

Good wines are a balance of the terroir (the French term for describing the combination of environmental effects upon the grape), the grape and the hand of the winemaker. While it is easy to say that any good year produces a good wine, that is simply not true. A good winemaker learns to coax the best out of any grape, regardless of whether the vineyard has suffered through a long wet harvest, or even a short hot one. Experience can help dictate how a winemaker reacts to the grapes he has been given, and can help produce ethereal products out of poorer years. 

While the best advice that can be given is to try every bottle and see what you enjoy, we have also endeavoured to provide a short, handy guide to help provide a launching point for your new interest in wine. Santé!

Look Out For Typicity, or Typicité

One thing that many people look for in wine is typicity, or typicité, in its original French. Typicity refers to the wine representing where and what it has come from. For example, drinking a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, with its ripe fruit, lush aroma and tight tannins, should be telling of its hot days and cool nights spent in the valley, coupled with the winemakers’ hand of French Barrels to tamper and provide a spicy, chocolate-y backdrop upon which to shin. 

As winemaking progresses, winemakers have also stretched their repertoire to try different techniques or expressions. In recent years, there has been a recent rise in the number of orange wines experimented from places other than Italy, leaving white grapes on their skins, to produce something unique, more complex and full-bodied. This explosion of new and experimental wines has provided an exciting avenue of exploration that often leads to the exception to the rule, providing an exciting adventure in every bottle that cannot always be captured only by academic preparation.

Get Familiar with Varietals

Knowledge of good wine is often laid upon a foundation of the grapes typical of a region, its climate, and the winemaking techniques, and this undoubtedly still holds true.    

If you are just dipping your toes in the world of wine and aren’t too sure about the wine selection process, a good way to spot a good bottle would be to get yourself familiarised with your favourite types of grapes, or “varietals”. Since there are more than 10,000 types of grapes out there, go with the more popular ones first to figure out what suits your taste buds best! As a brief guide, go with best-sellers like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir to lesser known ones like Rkatsiteli and Petit Syrah.

Go With Widely Popular Wines

If you are in a rush and don’t have time to go looking for a nice bottle of wine to impress your boss at the upcoming team dinner, just go with everyone’s favourites!

Cabernet Sauvignon

The Cabernet Sauvignon is probably one of the most popular choices for wine lovers everywhere, judging by its yearly sales numbers. Within a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, you can expect to find flavours of darker fruits such as cranberries and black cherry, with noticeable tannins. Its lingering finish is a plus point for red wine lovers, and it is also a great option when pairing with meaty or grilled meals.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is an excellent choice in which you and your friends can anticipate elements of earth, cherry, cranberry and rose within a bottle. It is a lighter and more delicate choice among other red wines and usually comes with nice acidity and minimal tannins (smoother texture), perfect for pairing with salmon or pasta dishes.

Sauvignon Blanc

When enjoying a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, expect to be greeted with grassy, grapefruit or green bell pepper flavours. However, the Sauvignon Blanc is a light white wine that can also offer flavours that include mint, melon and kiwi. Both a sweet and dry wine, it is an interesting choice with a lot of character to offer.

Serving Your Wine

Now that you have chosen a great bottle of wine, the next step would be to serve it properly. You wouldn’t want to waste a good bottle, would you? Seasoned wine drinkers will agree that decanting can form an essential part of the process by helping to aerate young wines, opening up tight tannings, or even, by letting older wines breathe. This has the added advantage on older wines of ensuring that sediment at the bottom of the bottle does not get poured out with the last sip.

If you are planning to make post-dinner drinks a weekly habit, why not invest in a handy decanter for home use?

Get the Best Wines at JARBARLAR Today

Have your heart set on a bottle of wine? Simply make your order online at JARBARLAR today and enjoy free delivery within Singapore with a minimum spend of $50. Here at JARBARLAR, we have a wide selection of red, white, sparkling wines for you to choose from.

Check out our loyalty programme to enjoy more perks with repeated purchases!

If you are thinking of hosting an intimate party at home this coming weekend since most bars will be closed due to the latest pandemic regulations, it’s high time you learn how to make those highly-raved bar favourites in your own home! However, when it comes to hosting a gathering, the last time you want is to be behind the bar all night, mixing drinks for your guests. So the natural solution is to make your drinks in bigger batches, so all there is left to do would be to refill.

Read on to find out how you can easily mix up big batches of tasty, boozy cocktails in no time to keep your thirsty friends satisfied and at the same time, have enough free time to mingle and catch up with them!

Pomegranate Kombucha Punch

This thirst-quenching and fruity recipe is one for the hot summer heat, best for a fun afternoon by the pool!

You will need (this recipe yields 4 servings):

• 235ml rum
• 120ml pomegranate juice
• 120ml pineapple juice
• 60ml orange juice
• 235ml pomegranate kombucha
• Pomegranate arils and pineapples for garnish                        

Directions:

Simply pour everything except the garnishes into a punch bowl, then mix it all together, fill 4 chilled cocktail glasses with the rum mixture and serve with ice and garnish. For a stronger pomegranate taste, you can top the drink off with additional pomegranate kombucha.

Pear and Rosemary Sangria

Instead of serving a bottle of wine, why not go for a refreshing jug of sangria – light, floral and not to forget, packs a punch!

You will need (this recipe yields 6 servings):

• 2 oranges
• 60g sugar
• A 750ml bottle of dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is perfect)
• 120ml of St Germain elderflower liqueur
• 1 pear
• 240ml club soda or seltzer
• 1 Rosemary sprig 

Directions:

First, use a peeler to remove the zest from one of the oranges, then cut in half before squeezing the juice into a large pitcher. Slice the second orange thinly and add it into the pitcher as well. For the rosemary syrup, bring the sugar, rosemary sprig, orange zest and 60ml of water to a simmer before straining it to discard solids. Add the syrup, elderflower liqueur and wine into the pitcher along with thinly sliced pear, then stir evenly to combine. Top the jug off with club soda and garnish before serving in individual glasses.

Sidecar

This batch version of a classic cocktail might go down easy but be warned; it packs a serious punch once the taste of citrusy lemons wears off. The best part of this recipe is that you can make batches in advance since it requires an overnight chill in the refrigerator. Once your party shows up, all you have to do is serve your drink in pretty glasses and let the fun begin!                                

You will need (this recipe yields 10 servings):

• 700ml cognac
• 300ml Cointreau
• 300ml fresh lemon juice 

Directions:

Simply mix all ingredients in a large bowl or pitcher, then cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.

Grapefruit Beer Punch

Bored of drinking beers out of cans? Change it up and mix your beers with a little gin and grapefruit juice – you might just find yourself a new favourite boozy drink. 

You will need (this recipe yields 10 servings):

• 950ml gin
• 500ml fresh grapefruit juice
• 2l pale ale                             

Directions:

Pour the gin and grapefruit juice into a punch bowl or pitcher and chill for at least two hours or overnight. Add the beer to individual ice-filled glasses just before serving.

Stock Up on Liquors for Your Cocktails at JARBARLAR

Ready to play bartender at your next dinner soiree? Don’t forget to get the liquors and alcohol you need online at JARBARLAR. Other than paying wholesale prices, you will also be able to get all alcohol delivered to you within Singapore for free with a minimum spend of $50. 

Check out our extensive catalogue online now.

Are you a fan of craft beer or just an avid fan of beer and are looking for locally-brewed beers to enjoy while you watch the National Day parade from home? Well, you’re in luck as we are about to share everything that we know about the local craft beer scene!

You might be wondering – what is the difference between craft beers and regular beers like Heineken and Carlsberg which are widely available in Singapore? The main difference would be that craft beers are usually made only in small quantities as the ingredients are hand-selected and added by craft brewers. Most craft beers are made with malted barley but other non-traditional ingredients may also be added for a more distinctive flavour.

Since the latest pandemic regulations have made visits to the bar less appealing, find out how you can get your fix of locally brewed craft beers delivered to you in Singapore now!

1. That Singapore Beer Project

That Singapore Beer Project is a social beer project that aims to discover the beer preferences of Singaporeans all while translating these insights into tasty craft beers for the locals – beers for Singaporeans, by Singaporeans. Their signature brew, the Kiam Sng Di or Guava Sourplum Gose, is a combination of salty, sour and sweet, a pleasant drink for seasoned and casual drinkers. Other craft beers under their belt include the Tri-Tip (bottled) and Triple Luck (seasonal draft).

Get a taste of That Singapore Beer Project’s beers in the comfort of your own home by ordering from local bars such as Temple Cellars and Good Luck Beerhouse.

2. Pink Blossoms Brewing

What started as one man’s dream to share delicious beers with his community became a full-fledged local brewing business that poured its first pint for the public in 2018. Pink Blossoms Brewing wants to share big and bold flavours that make life beautiful, how poetic. With two tasting rooms in Singapore, one in Ubi and the other in Tampines, Pink Blossoms Brewing has successfully brewed tons of different craft beers since its opening. On top of its many seasonal beers, they have a total of five flagship beers (Lean on Me IPA, Hundred Years milk stout, Don’t Stop Believing IPA, Let It Be IPA and Never Say Goodbye Imperial Stout) available all year round at their tasting rooms, talk about variety!

Get a taste of their unique beers by ordering directly from their brewery.

3. Trouble Brewing

Singapore beers, born and brewed. Trouble Brewing was started up in 2017 with a simple goal – to provide the public with quality fresh beers that taste good and don’t burn a hole in the pocket. With a brewery based in Tuas, the founders experimented unendingly and now have a full range of craft beers, cider and hard seltzers that are cheap and hard to forget once you give them a shot – literally.

Get the full collection of beers via delivery (Middle Child, Stolen Boat, Brick Head, Dodgy Tip, Road Hog and Pips Out) on their website now.

4. RedDot BrewHouse

Yes, we are referring to the maker of the green beer that every bar crawler on Boat Quay knows (and raves) about. While it might not be known to most, the folks behind the Green Monster beer have a whole range of other craft beers that are also worth a try at their bar. The RedDot BrewHouse has a total of eight other craft beers such as the RedDot Lime Wheat that you can start with.

Since they are only open for takeaways now, order from their e-shop to enjoy their tasty beers at home.

The Singapore craft beer scene continues to grow and stay vibrant despite the pandemic restrictions. Help local breweries stay afloat during this tough time by supporting locals and ordering from them this National Day.

E-commerce has made it much easier for consumers to obtain alcohol since making bulk orders can be as easy as making a few clicks in the comfort of your own home. Unfortunately, the increase in presence of online liquor stores has also made it easier for alcohol counterfeiters to sell fake whiskey and vodka in authentic bottles and hence allowed the circulation of counterfeit alcohol in the market.

Recall the last time you bought a bottle of whiskey online – how sure are you that you didn’t get a counterfeit bottle? Do you know where the drink came from and if you are simply getting the bottle at a steal or are being scammed?

Read on to find out the perils of getting a bottle of counterfeit alcohol and some ways to authenticate your bottle of liquor.

The Dangers of Consuming Fake Liquor

The consequences of consuming fake liquor are far more serious than just not getting your money’s worth of quality or bad-tasting alcohol. Chemicals such as methanol and isopropanol which are commonly found in cleaning fluids, nail polish remover, and automobile screen wash are often used as substitutes for ethanol in counterfeit vodka. Needless to say, these can cause dangerous health consequences such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, kidney failure, liver problems, and even coma when ingested in high volumes.

One might argue that consuming authentic alcohol in large amounts regularly can also cause alcohol poisoning and other major health problems but these consequences are brought upon by abuse of alcoholic products, and not caused by the quality of the alcohol itself. Alcoholic drinks which are produced under the governing regulations ensure that products are safe to be consumed, whereas counterfeit alcohols are often made in illegal or unregulated factories that compromise the safety of consumers. To make matters worse, chemicals such as methanol or ethylene glycol are difficult to differentiate tastewise from ethanol even though the former is significantly more dangerous.

How to Sniff Out The Fakes

Although it might be difficult to authenticate fake and real liquor based on its colour and taste, there are many other methods that consumers can try to protect themselves from the disastrous health consequences that fake liquor can bring.

Counterfeiters typically collect empty alcohol bottles from bars and refill them with bootleg liquor before repacking and relabelling them to sell over the internet. To spot a bottle of fake product, give the product label a check – if there are typos, it is most definitely a counterfeit bottle of alcohol. You can also check the type of glue used to stick the label and the consistency of liquor levels for each bottle – a shoddy job would be a red flag.

For Chivas whiskey bottles specifically, consumers can shine a light into the whiskey bottle to tally the serial number embedded in the interior of the bottle with the serial number printed on the label. A counterfeit bottle will most likely have a different serial number printed on its new label.

Another method major alcohol brands have undertaken to avoid counterfeiters is to develop smart bottles that come with QR codes that consumers can scan to check the production process and serial numbers of each individual bottle. In theory, this would at least prevent counterfeiters from being able to use authentic bottles in their illegal operations.

Get Authentic Alcohol at Wholesale Prices at JARBARLAR

Looking for high-quality liquor that you can drink with peace of mind? JARBARLAR has got you covered. Here at JARBARLAR, we have a wide assortment of authentic spirits, wines and beers at wholesale prices. Free delivery is also available with a minimum spend of $50.

Browse through our catalogue to find out more about our products today. 

Red wines and white wines are wine varieties that come in a wide range of colours. Wine lovers in Singapore often debate which is better but it is important to remember that each wine type has its own flavour profile and it is best to try both yourself before deciding which one you like more.

While red and white wines are largely different, they were originally made from one species of  grape called Vitis Vinifera. Vitis Vinifera grapes might come in a range of red and white these days, but Ampelographers believe that they might have been black grapes originally, with natural mutation creating the first white grapes.

Read on to find out more about the differences between red and white wines now.

Different Production Processes

Other than colour differences, red and white wines also differ in production processes. The key differences lie in the fermentation process, in which red wines are fermented with grape skins and seeds while white wines are not. This is also the process that gives red wines their signature colour – from the skins and the seeds of the grapes.

However, there are also special cases where white wines are fermented without having the grape skins and seeds removed. Wines made with this method are commonly referred to as Orange Wines and they share a taste resemblance with red wines and have tannin. Similarly, Blanc de Noirs, a red wine which is made with the white wine method has an appearance that looks like white wine. Other red wines that look like white wines include the White Pinot Noir or Pinot D’alsace.

Their Taste Differs

Both red wines and white wines have their own unique taste, but both types of wines each have their own spectrum of differing tastes. For example, some white wines are very sweet, and others dry while red wines tend to be on the bitter side, with a puckering taste. White wines also have a lighter, fruitier flavour than red wines, which tend to be bolder with more complexities.

The main reason why red wines are more bitter is due to the tannins present within the wine, which is enabled by the fermentation process that keeps the grape skins and seeds on. Without the grape skins, there will be little to no tannins in the wine, causing it to be sweeter and lighter like white wines.

Enjoying Red and White Wine

With its differences in taste and flavour, it is only natural that red and white wines have different ways of consumption in order to reap the most out of each bottle.

Since red wines contain tannins, it is recommended to allow red wines to “breathe” by decanting them before serving. Decanting would aerate the wine and increase its natural aromas and soften the taste of tannins that can cause harshness for younger wines. While white wines can benefit from five to ten minutes of “breathing”, one should serve immediately after as decanting white wine for too long can cause it to lose its vibrancy and freshness.

When it comes to storage, the common belief that red wine must be served at room temperature while white wine should always be served chilled is not entirely true as some whites can develop aromas when warmed slightly.

Get Your Red and White Wines at JARBARLAR Now

Looking to get a nice bottle of wine or two to pair with a steak and pasta dinner over the weekend? Simply place your orders online on JARBARLAR and we will have your wines delivered to your doorstep. Spend above $50 to be eligible for free delivery within Singapore.

Browse our full range of wines online now!

Nothing says “I’ve had a long day and I need to unwind” more than a glass of wine. The next time you gloss past the wine selection on your favourite online liquor wholesale store, pick a new bottle of wine that catches your eye and try it out. Share it with some friends, and if you don’t like it you can always put it aside. However, if you do decide to keep it around for a bit before uncorking it, these points might save your wine from turning putrid in the warm Singapore climate.

The Perfect Temperature

The ideal temperature for storing wine varies heavily on the type and vintage – white wines, sparkling wines and sweet wines should be stored at around 8 degrees celsius. Meanwhile, red wines, full-bodied or port, prefer a balmier average of 15 degrees celsius. The cause for this difference is the presence of tannins in the red wine which react adversely to temperatures that exceed tolerance. Storing your wine at the appropriate temperatures allows the contents to mature and age properly, bringing out its best flavours.

Of course, in a country that averages 25 to 31 degrees year-round, it can be tricky to store your wine at the perfect temperature. If that thought has you panicking, fear not. The aforementioned temperatures serve as a guideline for enthusiasts who consciously want their wine to develop a certain way over a prolonged period of time. If you’re like us and have to resist the temptation to uncork every bottle within a fortnight of purchase, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Location and Position Matters

After establishing the range of temperatures that suit wine storage, conventional wisdom dictates that the fridge would be a perfect place to store wine. Well, yes and no. Keeping wine on a fridge shelf might be suitable for a few months but if you’re looking for a long term storage option, it just won’t do.

The basic design of a fridge is meant to keep food safe from bacteria, reducing the risks of food poisoning. To ensure this, most fridges keep a constant temperature of about 4 degrees celsius. What happens to your wine at this temperature? Over a protracted period of time, the cork dries out. If you’ve ever opened a bottle of wine and had the cork literally disintegrate under your wine opener, it’s probably because of the moisture being removed from the fridging process.

Experts also recommend that wine bottles be kept in a horizontal position, to ensure the wine is in contact with the cork. Again, this prevents it from drying out and ruining your wine tasting experience.

Unfinished Business

Storing a bottle of opened wine is a simple task if you’re bougie like us and bought one with a screw on cap. But what if you were splurging for a nice occasion and uncorked an expensive bottle of wine, only to leave it unfinished?

The first thing to take note of is to always save the cork in order to seal it. In addition, it might be tempting to use the unstained side to re-cork it, but the bacteria on the exposed portion might leave your wine spoiling in a day or two.

Another way to store a half-consumed bottle of wine would be to pour it into a clean glass container, filling it to the brim. By doing so, you eliminate any residual air and bacteria, which is the main contributor to wine turning sour.

Get Your Bottle of Red or White at JARBARLAR

Whether you’re a wine novice looking for a place to begin, or a veteran who can tell a wine’s country of origin from smell alone – JARBARLAR’s collection of red and white wines in Singapore has all you could desire.

Check out our impressive selection of wines and other alcohol available for delivery now, at JARBARLAR.

Everyone loves a drink once in a while, it could be a glass of wine at the end of a long workday or an ice-cold beer while basking in the sun – nothing beats unwinding with friends over a bottle of your favourite alcohol. Yet at the back of our minds, there resonates a tiny pang of guilt when we do indulge ourselves. As libations often do, they loosen us up and in the process, we end up consuming a significant amount of calories while having drinks with friends.

The end result forces us into a situation we’re all too comfortable with – work out intensely at the gym to burn off the excess weight, or restrict your diet and deny yourself of anything possibly Epicurean. There is, however, the third option – by being prudent and drinking consciously, we can still enjoy our booze without putting too much on our waist.

1. Kombucha

You might have heard of kombucha in passing, but what is it exactly? Kombucha is the fermented product of yeast, sugar, and black tea (although other tea varieties may be used). Finding mainstream popularity in the past decade, this so-called super drink is claimed to help boost your immune system, speed up your metabolism, and help you lose weight. Doesn’t that sound perfect?

At this point, it’s natural to wonder what a fermented tea is doing in an article about healthier alcohol options. Well, surprise! As a byproduct of the fermentation process, most kombuchas sport a 0.5% to 2% ABV. Although that might not get you sloshed, it will definitely provide a buzz for all you lightweights out there. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to regular ol’ beer, we suggest picking up a kombucha with a higher ABV (known affectionately as hard kombucha). Unlike beer, hard kombucha sports a lower-calorie count and less sugar while still packing the same punch in terms of alcohol by volume.

2. Light Beer

If kombucha isn’t your cup of tea and you still want to stick to beer as your alcohol of choice, you could also consider swapping to light beer. Retaining the same malty and hop-laden flavours but with significantly fewer calories, light beer is a godsend for the weight conscious. Found in pale lager varieties, light beer achieves its low caloric count from reduced alcohol content and carbohydrates.

The mere mention of light beer might get you some turned noses from beer traditionalists or brewmasters, but the current industry standard for light beer has advanced to the point where taste is never compromised. If you had to do a blind taste test between two beers of the same brand, regular and light – the difference would be negligible. If you won’t take our word for it, get a bottle of Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Lager and see if you notice any difference.

 3. Red Wine

We can’t talk about healthier ways to enjoy alcohol without talking about red wine. A product of crushed and fermented grapes, humankind has been drinking wine since time immemorial. Apart from the complementary nature of wine with food, research has also shown that a glass of red wine daily has some serious health benefits. Loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols, moderate consumption of red wine is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

The operative word here being “moderate”, of course. Researchers recommend no more than a glass of wine a day, and we suggest quality over quantity. Consider this fantastic Pinot Noir from JARBARLAR, a full-bodied and complex red wine that is widely popular among Singaporeans.

All that said, guilt should be the least of your worries now if you’re consciously swapping to healthier options for alcohol. Stave off the weight gain and enjoy a drink with friends, order online at JARBARLAR now and check out our wide range of spirits, beer, and wine to get your alcohol delivered to your doorstep now.

Diversification is a term commonly thrown around by financial experts – in the past it referred to expanding your financial portfolio with different forms of commodities and equities. Stocks, bonds, ETFs, the list goes on. 

Yet the newer generation of investors, that grew up during the 2008 Lehman Brother Housing Crisis, have found new ways of investing. As distrust of corporations grew, tangible commodities such as art, limited collaboration shoes, and even watches, started to become massive stores of potential value.

Whatever the item, it’s undeniable that collectability is the defining factor for investing in these objects. Much like wine in the past, whisky has also joined the ranks of sought-after collectible status. As recent as August 2020, a bottle of 55-year old Yamazaki set the new auction record for the most expensive Japanese whisky sold in history. Liquid gold, indeed.

Possible High Returns

If you’re like us, and you don’t have the better half of a million dollars lying around in pocket change, there are other ways to begin a journey towards investing in whisky. Begin by investing in distilleries that allow you to own and house a cask of whisky on-site for as long as you want to age it. Over time as the spirit proofs, your cask is assessed and revalued based on its  regauged litres per alcohol (RGA), age, and distillery reputation. On average, annual profits from whisky cask investments have ranged between 10% to 30%, depending on the investment distillery of choice. 

Before you get out your cheque books, there are caveats one must consider before investing in a distillery. First off, casks of whisky are inherently more valuable the older they are. Prospective investors must be prepared for a 12 to 18 year investment. Along the same lines, as whisky ages in a barrel it also evaporates. Known as the angel’s share, this process is inevitable and results in the average Alcohol by Volume (ABV) in a cask to decline. Investors must be sure to avoid letting their cask ABV fall below 40%, which is one of the legal requirements for a spirit to be termed whisky-worthy. Finally, a good rule of thumb would be to begin investing in younger casks from reputable distilleries with a higher ABV, to give yourself some breathing room as your cask ages.

Investing in Rare Whisky is Pandemic-Proof

Even in a pandemic-laden economy, it appears that buying rare whisky as a form of investment seems fool-proof. Despite tighter pockets, spending on rare whisky has not dwindled a single bit. In fact, statistics say otherwise.  By the numbers, The Wealth Report found that the value of rare whisky has compounded faster than cars, art, and wine, hitting an astounding 564% growth over the past decade. 

The advent of online marketplaces and virtual auction houses have contributed significantly to this surge of demand for rare whisky. Experts, available around the clock, work tirelessly to pair available offerings with that of the respective investors’ risk palette. Further pushing up prices is the fact that not all whisky collectors purchase bottles for financial gain. Bottles of rare whisky are consumed more often than imagined, which leads to a dwindling pool of supply and limited availability. 

The Demand for Rare Whisky Continues to Surge

Outside of advancements in technology growing the interest in whisky, increasing global wealth and demand in the Far East has led to prices of rare whisky skyrocketing to unseen heights. Commonly seen as a premium product from the West, rare whisky has long been associated with sophistication and class. 

Enjoyed by the children of the nouveau riche in China, who spare no expense for entertainment, whisky has become a cornerstone of their lavish and grand lifestyles. 

These High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) under the age of 30 consistently fuel the ever growing market for rare whisky in China, where it stands as the third most popular alcoholic beverage across the nation. This swell in the rare whisky market does not appear to be going away anytime soon either. Aside from being a functional store of value, rare whisky possesses a certain grandeur and makes a social statement. It’s no wonder why collectors pour out cash for liters of this amber gold.

Singapore’s announcement of the Vaccinated Travel Lane in conjunction with European countries has excited many. For the first time in almost two years, the hope of a holiday overseas isn’t just a pipedream anymore. Getaways to exotic destinations like France and Italy are now an actual possibility, and we can’t think of a better way to kick off a holiday than with a wine-tasting.

1. How to Dress for a Wine Tasting

Anyone that has ever gotten a spill of wine on their clothes knows how painstakingly difficult it is to wash out. Our first tip is to dress in dark colours in case of spills, which will inevitably happen considering you’re in for a night of inadvertent inebriation. Decide on the tone of your outfit by sussing out the venue(s) in advance, to make sure that you’re neither overdressed nor underdressed. A jacket makes all the difference indoors versus outdoors.

If you’re on a wine tasting tour, consider comfortable shoes because chances are it’ll involve a lot of walking amongst vineyards and distilleries. For wine tasting acolytes who take themselves seriously, consider carrying a small bag or purse to keep a notebook for taking notes on tastings. This also doubles up by allowing you to have a place to store phone and water while touring the beautiful sights.

2. Eat Beforehand

Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is not only bad for your digestive health, but it’ll most likely knock you out early. Of course, if we were having just the odd glass or two, that would probably be acceptable. However, most tastings run anywhere from eight to ten different glasses of wine, which implies that drinking without any food will cause you to get prematurely drunk and put an end to your night.

Most wine tastings offer food in between drinks to avoid this very unceremonious welcome, which you should not feel shy to take full advantage of. In fact, many wine tasting tours design food menus to be paired with specific wines on offer to enhance its flavour and the overall wine tasting experience. Apart from food, it is also key to stay hydrated even if you aren’t travelling from point to point tasting wines. Alcohol is a diuretic and dehydrates the body, so if you want to avoid a wicked hangover the next day it’s best to keep your non-alcoholic fluids topped up.

3. Technique

You might have seen videos of fancy sommeliers swirling the wine around the glass and sniffing it to determine if it’s any good. I promise you that isn’t just to appear snobby. There is indeed a technique to tasting wine and these key points should help you avoid looking like an amateur.

First off, the best way to hold a glass of wine is by the stem and not the bowl. Holding it via the bowl leaves greasy fingerprints and potentially affects the temperature of the wine, hurting the entire drinking experience. Next, before tasting the wine, it is important to take a deep breath of the aroma within the glass. Experts refer to this as the nose, and how a wine smells greatly affects your palette as the wine enters your mouth. It is also at this step that the wine glass should be swirled, to allow the wine’s aromas to attach to the oxygen and give it a stronger nose. Lastly, as you sip the wine, swirl it in your mouth and ensure it touches all surfaces. Different parts of your mouth have different endings which pick up a wide spectrum of flavours and textures. Follow these steps to a tee and you should appear to know what you’re doing with minimal effort.

On a parting note, it is also crucial that wines are consumed in a specific order. White wines and wines with higher acidity should be tasted first before moving on to the heavier bodied reds. The logic behind this is simple – heavy-bodied reds often leave a strong aftertaste and cloud the palette from fully appreciating the more subtle white wines.

Still worried about appearing silly at your next wine tasting? Choose from our wide selection of wines from across the world today. Paired with tasting notes to let you know exactly what to expect, Jarbarlar’s online liquor store is the perfect place to begin your wine tasting journey.

Alcohol and food go hand in hand – nothing pairs better with a steak than a nice full-bodied Cabernet. The idea of alcohol as an ingredient in meals, however, is a little riskier. One chief concern we all have lurking at the back of our minds while cooking with alcohol is accidentally starting a fire and panicking for a fire extinguisher to put out the stove. 

Fret not, if Gigi Hadid has shown us anything on TikTok, it’s that cooking with alcohol can be relatively simple and risk-free. Let’s take a look at some fool-proof (and flame-proof) meal recipes.

1. Beer Battered Fish and Chips

A pairing that many would consider the national dish of Great Britain, beer-battered fish and chips can be found on almost any corner of London. Whether it’s for lunch, dinner, or a cheeky supper after a night at the pub, fish and chips are comfort food like no other. Yet what makes this iteration so good? According to experts, the addition of beer into the batter makes it light and airy which gives the fish a nice crunchy texture. Quick to prep and even quicker to cook, this recipe for beer-battered fish and chips promises to go swimmingly.

You will need:

700g x white fish fillet
50g x rice flour
115g x plain/all-purpose flour
1.¼  teaspoon x baking powder
¼  teaspoon x salt
250ml x lager/wheat beer (anything beer that isn’t dark like stout or porter)
4-5 cups x peanut oil

Serves 4 portions

Directions:

Begin by patting the fish dry with paper towels and slicing them into 7cm x 3cm pieces. Heat the oil in a large pot to 190 degrees celsius before seasoning the fish with salt. Mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt and beer into a slurry. Dust the fish in rice flour and dip into the batter, frying for 3 minutes per piece. Flip and ensure every piece is cooked evenly until deep golden. Drain on paper towels and serve with your condiments of choice (tartar sauce, chilli, or a vinaigrette) 

2. Tiramisu

3. Gigi Hadid’s Vodka Cream Pasta

We can’t mention Gigi Hadid’s TikTok video without providing a recipe, and boy is it good. Red sauce vodka pasta has a delightful dryness to it, which brings out the acidity of the tomatoes. Follow this simple recipe if you don’t believe us!

You will need:

250g x pasta
¼ cup x olive oil
1 clove x garlic
¼ cup x shallots
¼ cup x tomato paste
1 tablespoon x vodka (clear, not flavoured)
½ cup x heavy cream
1 teaspoon x chilli flakes
Salt and pepper
¼ cup x parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon x butter

Serves 2 portions.

Directions:

Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling water, draining and saving ¼ cup of pasta water when noodles are al dente. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and cook a small clove of garlic and the shallots till soft. Add the tomato paste and simmer the sauce till darker and caramelised. Pour the vodka into the sauce and cook till it almost evaporates, finish the sauce by adding your heavy cream and chilli flakes to your preferred tastes. Taste and season with salt and pepper before tossing in the cooked pasta, pasta water, and butter. Stir well to melt the butter and garnish with parmesan cheese before plating.

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