Celebrate the Artisans: Grower Champagne

Grower champagne (or Récoltant Manipulant in French) generally refers to wines from the French Champagne region that are conceptualised, made and bottled by the same people who grew the grapes. Rather than purchasing grapes from elsewhere, the grapes used to make grower champagne are all from a single estate, which results in wines that are more compelling with more unique characteristics and variability.

Top Pick: Champagne Gratiot & Cie Almanach No.3 Brut Rose NV
The history of the Gratiot family can be traced back to 1868, and estate is now in its fifth generation. Even today, the family still inspects their 42 vine plots in seven villages spanning across 18 hectares.
Tasting Notes: fine bubbles with delicate aromas of red fruits. You will be seduced by this original cuvée that is light and festive.

Champagne Louis Dousset Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru 2008
Verzenay is a small village on the Montagne de Reims in the heart of the Champagne region. The family estate relies on the main principles of bio-dynamics and sustainable farming methods to produce their champagnes. This bottle has aromas of stewed fruit, dried flowers and spices mingled with notes of sloe gin and praline. A rich, powerful champagne with a warm and satisfying finish.

Champagne Miniere F&R Brut Zero NV
Grapevines have been cultivated in Hermonville since the 12th century, and the estate is currently in the fourth generation. Made up of equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this wine has mild mineral, floral and yeasty notes with lasting acidity and a long, refreshing finish.

Champagne Pierre Baillette Coeur de Craie Verzenay Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut 2015
The winery only has 3.6 hectares of grand cru vineyards, producing 13,000 bottles per year. Made from Pinot Noir grapes and without pesticides, added yeast and almost no dosage, this champagne are full-bodied, high-acidity.

Champagne Aurore Casanova Puisieulx Grand Cru "Les Petites Vignes" Blanc de Noirs 2017
Aurore was a professional ballet dancer, but she left Zurich Opera House in 2011 to join her mother’s family winery that was established in 1968 in Montagne de Reims in the Champagne region. This champagne is made from 100% Pinot Noir with notes of tropical fruits, oak and stone fruits. Well-balanced in acidity with a long-lasting finish.

Lesser Known Wine Regions & Their Amazing Wines You Should Know About

Most people would think about Old World wine producing regions like France, Italy and Germany; but in fact, some lesser known wine regions also produce amazing, high-quality wines. city’super has rounded up some exquisite artisanal creations from around the world – let’s try them!

Origin: New York
90% of US wines come from California, so naturally, this winery from New York has garnered a lot of attention. At the helm is a winemaker from the renowned Chateau de St Cosme in Rhone Valley of France. Forge Cellars is located in Finger Lakes in northern New York, and grows only the types of grapes: Pinot Noir and Riesling. This wine is very pure and focused with a honeysuckle edge and a piercing core of white peach, star fruit and yellow apple flavours, all backed by a racy quinine echo on the finish.

Origin: Lirac, Rhone Valley
The family winery went from 3 hectares in 1930 to 50 hectares today, and has been certified organic and biodynamic. 100% pure with minimal human intervention, its wines are nurtured by the enchanting power of Provence sun and brimming with terroir, varietals, colour, scents and aroma.

Origin: Uruguay
Bodega Garzón is the most famous winery in Uruguay, and has been awarded “New World Winery of 2018” and was listed second in World Best Vineyards 2020. Located only 18km from the Atlantic Ocean, it is deeply influenced by the marine climate. Balasto is its flagship wine, featuring a blend of five grapes with high ageing potential. Only produced in small batches and rare to find in Hong Kong.

Origin: Moldova
Gitana Winery is one of the most high-profile wineries in Moldova in recent years, and has emerged on the global wine scene as one to watch. This wine contains Chardonnay and Riesling grapes, as well as the Eastern European variety Feteasca Regala. It is smooth with notes of sweet spices, vanilla and wood as well as a unique aroma.

Happy Hour: Don’t Miss These 4 Spirits

After a day of hard work, it’s time for Happy Hour and to wind down with your favourite spirits! Here are four that we highly recommend. Which one is your top pick?

Recommended: Rochelt Wachauer Marille (Wachau Apricot Brandy)
From a simple distillery in the 1970s to today’s well-established Rochelt family operation, this business has been passed down to the family’s second generation. Naturally and fully ripe apricots are sorted, cleaned by hand and distilled to create a brandy that is smooth, mild, yet strong and full with a profusion of ripe apricot flavours. This little green bottle is so pretty it is practically a piece of art.

The Botanist Gin
Crafted by Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay. Made with 31 botanicals, 22 of which are hand-foraged local botanicals, the ingredients go through a slow distillation process that delicately augments nine berries, barks, seeds and peels to create a gin of layered complexity.

Fynoderee Manx Bumbee Vodka
The distillery is located in Mann at the Isle of Man, halfway between Ireland and the UK. Distilled with local honey and is velvety soft on the palate with a smooth, creamy finish, the Manx Bumbee Vodka can be sipped neat, leaving a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

L’arack De Musar
The well-known Lebanese winery Chateau Musar also produces spirits. This traditional anise-flavoured spirit is made from grape alcohol with an average age of five years. It is distilled four times with the addition of anis seeds during the fourth distillation for exceptional smoothness.

DIY Cocktails Must-have: Carbonation Tonic Water
100% made in Hong Kong. Paired with organic lemons and dried tangerine peels for a unique taste. Flavoured with natural cane sugar to avoid the cloying mouthfeel.