Monday saw the launch of what DFS Group claims is “Asia’s largest retail exhibition of premium wines and spirits” which is now running at Changi Airport until 28 February 2015 in the retailer’s newly renovated store in Terminal 1.

 

The airport exhibition (right) follows the fourth annual Masters of Wines & Spirits gala event in Singapore on 8 November at which DFS featured over 80 highly-collectable products from 65 wines, spirits and champagne houses [full list of participants in table below].

 

“The 2014 Masters of Wines & Spirits collection represents our philosophy of curation, adventure and discovery,” says Harold Brooks (left), President, Global Merchandising, DFS Group. “It is an opportunity to explore and discover new brands, enjoy classics from esteemed leaders, and experience in person the history, heritage and craftsmanship of the masters.”

 

PRIVATE GALA

More than 400 collectors and connoisseurs – including over 25 brand ambassadors – attended the private dinner and gala event inside a historic 1900s black and white house (right) on Singapore’s Mount Pleasant.

 

Wine critic James Suckling and Singapore’s own spirits expert Michael Callahan shared their insights in entertaining and hosting at one’s home – a key trend in Asia driving the appreciation of fine wines and spirits. These insights were summarised into the six elements of entertaining at home: The Welcome, The Company, The Meal, Conversations & Entertainment, Setting & Ambiance, and Post-Dinner.

 

“We have created an experience that firmly establishes the Masters of Wines & Spirits as Asia’s largest and most prestigious retail exhibition of fine wines and spirits,” says Sibylle Scherer, President of Consumer Marketing & Branding at DFS Group.

 

Ivy Wong (right), Senior Vice President, Airside Concessions, Changi Airport Group, adds: “We are delighted to partner with DFS for the fourth time, on this prestigious event. As the DFS stores’ makeover progresses, we are excited by the changes we see.”

 

MANY RARITIES

The gala featured over 50 fine wines and champagnes, along with over 30 rare Armagnacs, Baijius, Cognacs, Scotch whiskies and single malts.

 

Highlights included:

– The Dalmore 45 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (a DFS exclusive)

– The Macallan Master of Photography: Elliot Erwitt Edition (final full set, left)

– The Glenlivet Winchester Collection Vintage 1964 50 Year Old (limited release)

– Johnnie Walker The Epic Dates Collection (limited edition)

– Martell’s The Queen’s Carafe (one of only two in the world)

– Perrier-Jouët The Belle Époque Rosé 2005 Mathuselah

– Penfolds 1990 Collection (a DFS exclusive and one-of-a-kind)

 

LAUNCH OF SHOP & COLLECT

Coinciding the Masters of Wines & Spirits exhibition at Changi, DFS is also set to launch its online shopping service, Shop & Collect, on 1 December. The service will enable travellers to Singapore to select their purchases of beer, wines and spirits [over 700 products from more than 125 brands] for collection at the DFS stores in Changi’s arrivals hall. Orders can be placed a maximum of 14 days and a minimum of 24 hours prior to flying.

 

Participating Brands at DFS Masters of Wines & Spirits 2014

Aberfeldy, Amuse Bouche, Antinori, Ballantine’s, The Balvenie, Bowmore, Camus, Chabot, Château Angelus, Château  Ausone, Château Beychevelle, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Cos d’Estournel, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Gruaud-Larose, Château Guiraud, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château de Laubade, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Margaux, Château Montelena, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Palmer, Château Pichon Baron, Château Suduiraut, Continuum, The Dalmore, Domaine Clarence Dillon, Grands Crus Classés, Gaja, Graham’s, Grands Vins de Bordeaux, Glen Grant, Glenfarclas, The Glenlivet, Glenmorangie, Harlan Estate, Henschke, Highland Park, Hennessy, Johnnie Walker, Krug, Lagavulin, Léoville du Marquis de las Cases, Luce, The Macallan, Maison M. Chapoutier, Martell, Marquis de Montesquiou, Masi, Moët & Chandon, Ornellaia, Penfolds, Perrier-Jouët, Pont des Arts, Quinta Do Noval, Rémy Martin, Ridge, Silverado, The Singleton of Glen Ord, Shui Jin Fang, Vérité, Veuve Clicquot and Viña Almaviva