As the fourth largest French city, the largest controlled wine growing region (AOC) in France.

The beauty of Bordeaux’s wines, a synergy between the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, well supported by Cabernet Franc, that brings the balance and elegance that made synonymous with Bordeaux wine for centuries.

This can make it tough to navigate Bordeaux wines for New World consumers, who tend to be more grape-centric, born and raised on the label designates of “Merlot” or “Cabernet Sauvignon.” Remember the name of the game is BLEND in Bordeaux, it is the combination of the climate, the soil, the overall terroir and the dominate grapes that create a wine from Bordeaux, not a stand-alone, all-star varietal.

To gain an initial grip on buying wines from Bordeaux, recall that the right bank is dominated, in general, by Merlot and the left bank is typically anchored by Cabernet Sauvignon.

Labels highlight a wine’s classification, the region that the grapes were grown, the AOC statement, and the estate – similar to New World wines, except that many are not familiar with Bordeaux’s regions.

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, the floral Muscadelle and Ugni Blanc are the only four grape varieties allowed to participate in the white wine AOC labeled blends of Bordeaux.

Home to over 10,000 producers and the artisan of close to 70 million cases of wine per vintage, Bordeaux is the modern-day red wine Mecca, beckoning pilgrims near and far to scout for, speculate on and ultimately imbibe in the crown jewel, Bordeaux’s exalted red wines.

Red Wine Grapes of Bordeaux Bordeaux’s red wines are the region’s most vocal ambassadors, living a legend and leaving a legacy to all who drink.

Bordeaux Wine are now available at The Oaks Cellars

Most of the wine grapes planted in Germany are Riesling. German wine, to begin you have to start with the Riesling.

There’s a lot to love about Riesling: it can taste like peach or apricot, with a bolt of lime-like acidity. It’s also extraordinarily aromatic, all jasmine and honeysuckle. Beyond Riesling, there are other grapes you should know, the Muller-Thurgau. Researchers in Germany have created many crossings of different grapes in order to come up with grape varieties that could succeeded in the harsh German climate. The second most planted grape in Germany—is one of these, a crossing of Riesling and Madeleine Royale. Müller-Thurgau wines are fresh and light, aromatic and floral. The Mosel region is famous—and for good reason. The slate soils absorb the sun’s heat and release it back to the vines to help the grapes ripen. The river meanders dramatically through the land, giving ample opportunity for different exposures.

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Karuizawa was a small distillery that produced first-class malt whiskeys of the finest quality.

There is no shortage of thawing snow at Mount Asama and the chilly climate provided an excellent location for whiskey making. In 1976 the first 100 percent domestic malt whiskey saw the light of day at Karuizawa. The whiskey was stored in small barrels, and the distillery used small pots for distillation. The storehouse of Karuizawa was also covered in ivy, which is said to assist in keeping the temperature and humidity at exactly the right levels for producing good whisky.

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One of the best ways to end a day is by enjoying a glass or two of whiskey.

Strong and relaxing, whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage created out of fermented grain mash. While different kinds of grains may be used, such as barley, corn, rye or wheat, all of them are aged to perfection in wooden oak barrels. Some of the best whiskies have been in storage for decades. Here is the basic knowledge you need to find your way around in the world of whiskies.
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Southern Rhone’s landmark region, Chateauneuf du Pape, was the first region to gain AC status in France.

About Chateauneuf du Pape

That was the 1920s – it’s history goes much further back than that. As the name suggests, the wine region was named after the “new papal home,” referring to the period of time in the 1300’s when the pope resided in Avignon instead of Rome.

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With 1000 wineries in around 60 wine growing regions, Australia is consistently one of the top ten wine producing countries in the world.

The United Kingdom now imports more wine from Australia than it does from France. In 200 years the Australian wine industry has grown from a few small plantings to an industry which exports to over 100 countries and is renowned throughout the world for its quality and innovative techniques. Australia now has some of the oldest grape vines in the world because during the 1800’s many of Europe’s established vineyards were destroyed by disease.

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Tomi no Oka is a large mountain made up of smaller hills nestled together. Across this mountain spreads their vineyard.

Always thinking about which varieties are best suited for which vineyards and how they should be cultivated amidst the climate and natural features of Tomi no Oka Winery, their vintners, who are highly trained in viticulture, make their way personally to the vineyards everyday to survey the weather, look after the vines, and lovingly care for them. They are also working on “plant cultivation” to grow grapes in symbiosis with the natural vegetation. Tomi no Oka Winery aim to grow the kind of grapes and make the kind of wines that “express the distinctiveness of this region through different varietals while staying close to the local climate.”

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The Oaks Cellars brings to you our yearly Lunar New Year Hamper Collection.

Our Lunar New Year hampers are ideal gifts that signify abundance and prosperity. Baskets full of champagne, sparkling wine or whiskey, you will be spoilt for choice. Designed with distinctive themes in mind, our wine hampers  will be the ideal gifts for important people in your life.

The perfect way to convey your new year wishes and surprise your family, friends, colleagues and business partners.

Take your pick from our selection of Lunar New Year Hampers now!

For a lover of wine, there can be no better gifts than a basket full of the fine wines from around the world.

Designed with distinctive themes in mind, our wine hampers  will be the ideal gifts for important people in your life.
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Port, a Portuguese strengthened wine made solely in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal.

The Douro Valley, Portugal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered one the most spectacular wine regions of the world with its terraced vineyards on sloping hills that meet the meandering River Douro.

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