Welcome Relief

Drought-stricken Californian winemakers are seeing a glimpse of hope after a fair amount of rain fell on the US West Coast recently. The rain is desperately needed after three years of drought, especially in the hardest hit areas of the San Joaquin Valley, which produces most of the US’s cheap wine. A strong El Niño this year is expected to see heavy falls continue into March. January has already been one of the wettest months in years. Hopefully the rain will refill the reservoirs in wine-growing regions. California’s 2015 crop was smaller than in recent years due to the drought, according to press reports.

100-year Mark

Johnnie Walker The Commemorative 1920 Edition was crafted using a method inspired by a technique used in 1920, and includes whiskies from silent distilleries so it’s a blend you won’t get ever again. The date marks the 100th year of John Walker’s business, the year that his son Alexander expanded the brand’s distribution to 120 countries across the world. Just 540 bottles have been created, each individually numbered and signed by master blender Jim Beveridge. Available at Johnnie Walker House in DFS, Changi Airport Terminal 3.

Shattered Dreams

High-end Australian winemakers such as Penfolds are smashing their wine bottles after tastings in China to prevent counterfeiters from getting hold of them and forging the bottles, according to a recent report by the newspaper The Australian. Demand for premium Australian wines has increased in China after the free trade agreement signed between the two countries last year, which also inevitably spurred an increased risk of trademark theft and fraud.

Scion of the Times

Christian Moueix, the scion of the powerful French wine merchant Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix, which owns such illustrious Bordeaux names as Château Trotanoy and La Fleur-Petrus, has added a second Napa Valley estate to the empire. Ulysses joins Dominus in the heart of some of the best vineyards in Oakville. It is on the northernmost edge of the Missouri Hopper Vineyard, just east of the Vine Hill estate and about 2km north of Dominus. It has deep gravelly soils that are perfect for cabernet sauvignon. Moueix bought the property eight years ago and quietly renovated the vineyards and the simple barn. Ulysses’ 13ha are planted with 85 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 9 per cent cabernet franc and the rest petit verdot.