{"title":"Wine Tasting 20 Nov 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eWines tasted at private event, Thursday 20th November 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNB: click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/discount\/WT201125?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fall-promo-ok\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e or use the code \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/discount\/WT201125?redirect=%2Fcollections%2Fall-promo-ok\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWT201125\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e for 15% off your first order at Once Upon A Vine! Discount applicable for any standard size bottle, not only wines tasted at event. Get in touch \u003ca href=\"mailto:laura@onceuponavine.sg\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e for recommendations.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"extra-brut-cuvee-pojer-sandri-75cl","title":"EXTRA BRUT Cuvee [Pojer \u0026 Sandri] 75cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eMedium Body, Dry (Chardonnay, Pinot Nero). IGT. Alc 12.5%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChampagne-style sparkling from innovative winemaking duo in the stunning Dolomite mountains!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pojer \u0026 Sandri","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39862709059774,"sku":"UVPS08","price":75.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/1692\/7337\/products\/TWPS24_EXTRA_BRUT_Pojer_Sandri_75cl_4ece8bb8-19dc-43e9-90a7-a76ea013a1e9.png?v=1622609385"},{"product_id":"opera-prima-2016-ferraris-75cl","title":"OPERA PRIMA Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG 2016 [Ferraris] 75cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eFull Body, Dry (Ruche). DOCG. Alc 15.5%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRUCHÈ OF CASTAGNOLE MONFERRATO D.O.C.G.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlagship wine from family estate, showcasing Piemonte's rarest grape (and one of only red 'aromatic' wines).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRP 92 points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e; \u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c\/strong\u003e stars on VIVINO.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTASTING NOTES: Floral nose with red fruit and forest floor notes, plus hints of spice. Reminiscent of a Nebbiolo and a Pinot Nero\/Noir, plus some similarity to Sangiovese and old world Syrah - this rare RUCHE grape has an incredible aromatic character, great acidity, crunchy tannins, and a long finish! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWINERY NOTES:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eESTATE:\u003c\/strong\u003e The family-run Ferraris estate is located in \u003cstrong\u003eAsti\u003c\/strong\u003e, within the Castagnole Monferrato appellation. Winemaker \u003cstrong\u003eLuca Ferraris\u003c\/strong\u003e ages his boutique wines in a deep cellar that was first built in the \u003cstrong\u003e1400s\u003c\/strong\u003e and then expanded and finished by Luca's grandfather. He believes in five elements that characterise his award-winning wines - sun, earth, warmth, scent and aroma. The heritage of the Ferraris estate lives on through the respect Luca shows for both his grandfather's teachings and the land itself.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWINE:\u003c\/strong\u003e Born from the love that binds a grandfather and a grandson, the company’s founder and his future heir, Opera Prima is a new interpretation of Ruché. A wine of the highest quality, dedicated to the most discerning palates. The creation of such a product begins with the perfect vineyard, Bricco della Gioia, a small plot where the soil, exposure, microclimate, care and selection combine to create a unique and inimitable wine. At its heart the wine is a deep and compact ruby red with an initial garnet nuance. Once poured an elegant blend of blackberries, dried plums and sub-glazed cherries emerge, intertwining with floral hints of rose petals. Despite its relative youth, the wine’s refinement in wood allows for tertiary notes to appear, from which mentholated aromas, sweet tobacco and fine spices can be recognized. The quality of this flagship wine is confirmed on the palate: its power and structure are balanced by elegance and finesse, while the warm, soft and persistent taste is harmonized by fruit and fine tannin. The company’s “jewel”, each bottle of Opera Prima is stored in a unique cellar carved out of the ground that has belonged to the family for generations, waiting for a special moment to be shared.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ferraris","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40252249768126,"sku":"UVFE11","price":79.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/1692\/7337\/products\/TWFE02_OPERA_PRIMA_2016_Ferraris_75cl_08965e73-177b-4cea-bf36-c0b2b2cd0db5.png?v=1627259320"},{"product_id":"amarone-2016-tasi-75cl","title":"AMARONE DOCG 2016 [Tasi] 75cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eFull Body, Dry (Corvina, Rondinella). DOCG. Alc 17%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurely the most affordable and healthiest Amarone on the island! \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFamous Italian red from prestigious family-run estate with generations of experience in the vineyards of eastern Valpolicella.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e* \u003cb\u003e4.3\u003c\/b\u003e stars on VIVINO *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVINTAGE NOTE: 4\/5 \u003ca title=\"Italian Vintage Chart WSG (2010-2019)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winescholarguild.org\/italian-wine-vintage-charts\/italian-vintage-chart-harvest-reports\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\"Excellent\" WSG (Wine Scholar Guild)\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important wine* from Italy - one of the most famous styles and still very unique! Likewise, TASI is a unique winery**.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTASTING NOTES: Expect pronounced fruit notes (sense of whole fruit) plus on the nose some hints of pastry and pie crust; a rich and smooth mouthfeel with a long finish. Pair with a steak or rich dishes, or aged cheese.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e* Amarone is also known as a 'straw wine' from the straw mats traditionally used to dry the grapes (\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eappassimento\u003c\/strong\u003e is a process of drying the grapes to reduce down to 40% of the original liquid, concentrating the flavours and sugars, which can take 100+ days of drying\u003c\/em\u003e) - this is how the wine gets its deep, rich character! The name translates to \"great bitter\" because originally the wineries in the area made sweet wines from the local grape varieties, but one day a winemaker let the fermentation process finish completely (the yeasts were left to turn all the sugars to alcohol) creating this new dry wine with a comparatively bitter taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e** \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eAfter spending years studying and reviving their land that had previously been a \u003cstrong\u003equarry\u003c\/strong\u003e (depleted of nutrients etc), this energetic winery continues to follow the philosophy of minimal intervention wines.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFYI: In a local Veneto dialect 'tasi' means \"\u003cstrong\u003ehush\u003c\/strong\u003e\" and according to the winemakers it is a \"\u003cem\u003ecall to shut up, to everybody who takes themselves too seriously\u003c\/em\u003e\" so we suggest you slow down, hush and take a moment to enjoy a sip of healthy vino by TASI.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLEARN MORE: Follow \u003ca for=\"\" title=\"“Wine\" href=\"%E2%80%9Chttps:\/\/winefornormalpeople.libsyn.com\/ep-412-valpolicella-and-amarone-the-red-gems-of-veneto-italy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ethis link\u003c\/a\u003e to a podcast by Wine For Normal People that's useful for understanding more about the Valpolicella area (plus production methods for Amarone and Ripasso)!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMEET THE WINERY: Click \u003ca title=\"All about TAS”I rel=\" href=\"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/blogs\/news\/tasi-meet-the-winery\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to read more background on this biodynamic estate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tasi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42203854700798,"sku":"UVTS39","price":99.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/1692\/7337\/products\/tempAmarone_a1a9b3a6-b27c-40ca-91c1-d689aabbec83.jpg?v=1640161091"},{"product_id":"chianti-riserva-2019-barbanera-75cl","title":"CHIANTI Riserva DOCG Duca Di Saragnano 2019 [Barbanera] 75cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eMedium Body, Fruity (Sangiovese). DOCG. Alc 13%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e99\/99 “Best Producer 2020” Luca Maroni.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of Italy's most classic wines, this DOCG wine is right at the top of the list for famous Sangiovese styles. In fact, decades ago Chianti was one of the first areas of Italy to be designated DOCG status (and centuries before that it was the first place to have specific boundaries for wine production, under the 1716 edit by Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici). It continues to be popular to this day, loved for its notes of berry and spice, with a rustic charm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a regular customer likes to say of this Barbanera family wine, this is \"\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ethe most affordable quality Chianti on the island\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\" ... we couldn't agree more!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNB: This wine can sometimes be found with slightly different spellings\/labels, for example on Vivino. It can also be found listed under the LINE of Duca Di Saragnano\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, as opposed to the ESTATE of Barbanera. See the links below to read more on this wine:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- VIVINO link 1 \"\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.vivino.com\/SG\/en\/barbanera-chianti-chianti-riserva\/w\/1197105\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eChianti Riserva\u003c\/a\u003e\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- VIVINO link 2 \"\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.vivino.com\/SG\/en\/it-duca-di-saragnano-chianti-riserva\/w\/1150180\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eD.d.S. Chianti Riserva\u003c\/a\u003e\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWhat’s in a name? In the case of the \u003cstrong\u003eBarbanera\u003c\/strong\u003e family’s winery they chose to pay respect to a great legend whose descendant became a close friend of Luigi Barbanera (father of Marco and Paolo who now run the estate). The original \u003cstrong\u003eDuca di Saragnano\u003c\/strong\u003e came from Campania but fled north to Tuscany, around the 10th Century, as foreign invaders took over much of southern Italy. The Duca di Saragnano was remembered as “\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003eamongst the bravest and noblest local defenders\u003c\/span\u003e” of the Italian land, who “\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003efought valiantly\u003c\/span\u003e” against the aggressors. Centuries later the inheritor of the title ‘Duca di Saragnano’ met the Barbanera family, who had started out in 1938 with home-produced olive oil, cheeses, cured meat and wine, and granted the use of the prestigious name as “\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003ea token of his esteem\u003c\/span\u003e”.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barbanera","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44511883329790,"sku":"UVDS69","price":39.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/1692\/7337\/files\/CHIANTIRiserva2015_Barbanera_75cl_85d78f62-688c-4ad9-b6e9-1dc2f0ba9e2f.png?v=1703126941"},{"product_id":"borgoletto-soave-2023-fasoli-gino-75cl","title":"BORGOLETTO Soave DOC 2023 [Fasoli Gino] 75cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eMedium Body, Dry (Garganega). DOC. Alc 12.5%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Borgoletto\" Soave is a great afternoon white, from the Valle d'Illasi east of Verona (vines up to 40 years old). It's easy drinking, refreshing and quaffable! :)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect typical Garganega aromas, such as ripe peach and tangerine (almost a hint of under-ripe pineapple), plus some warm floral scent. Subtle saline finish. Acidity is balanced by richness. Great potential for food pairings from fried starters, to roast chicken or shellfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch a video from winemaker Natalino Fasoli about this charming wine (in Italian but English subtitles): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/NNEis-Geuzg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/youtu.be\/NNEis-Geuzg\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis is one of the classic line wines from acclaimed family estate Fasoli Gino\u003cspan\u003e*\u003c\/span\u003e, established in 1925, who are renowned for their Valpolicella wines like Ripasso and Amarone, as well as other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/collections\/all\/style_appassimento+winery_fasoli-gino\" target=\"_blank\"\u003erare appassimento reds\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the winery:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma\u003c\/strong\u003e: the bouquet is both floral and fruity and the wine leaves almost saline and fruity notes on the finish. \u003cstrong\u003eTaste\u003c\/strong\u003e: Harmonious and full-bodied. The finish is medium to long with a light aftertaste of bitter almonds. The wine is well balanced between body and acidity and good freshness thanks to regular bottling.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also a special line of wines in support of the local community. In their words: \"\u003cem\u003eSince the 1990s, Fasoli Gino as been working with a community of young disadvantaged people in Bardolino. This partnership combines both important work with the social needs of the area with that of protection of the landscape. The community’s vineyards are located on a beautiful hill overlooking Lake Garda where ancient olive groves and vineyards are tended for with organic farming methods. Our choice of adding value to an area with respect to all things living, is expressed at its maximum in Bardolino where Fasoli Gino unites caring for the environment with assisting society’s needs. The grapes for this wine are cultivate by members of the “Associazione Comunita’ dei Giovani”, young adults with special needs.\u003c\/em\u003e\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e* the parent winery behind Tasi (who make our stunning biodynamic \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/collections\/all\/products\/prosecco-2019-tasi-75cl\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eProsecco\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fasoli Gino","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46157811712254,"sku":"UVTS55","price":39.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/1692\/7337\/products\/SOAVE2021_FasoliGino_75cl.png?v=1667465333"},{"product_id":"archineri-etna-bianco-doc-2022-pietradolce-75cl","title":"ARCHINERI Etna Bianco DOC 2022 [Pietradolce] 75cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eMedium Body, Dry (Carricante). DOC. Alc 13%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e4.1\u003c\/b\u003e stars on VIVINO  \u003cspan\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eexpressive and restrained... A wine that invites patience and rewards close attention\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTASTING NOTES: Complex, floral nose* (orange blossom, lime skin, some sense of crushed rocks, maybe a hint of white chocolate - what do you think?) and the fruit notes are slightly tart so very refreshing (lemon, yellow apple), with well-balanced acidity and a round finish. You can feel the volcanic soil (minerality) on the palate - very textured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNB:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evolves in the glass (and will evolve beautifully in the bottle too, so try one now and keep at least one back to see the development over time)!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e* compared to the classic line\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/products\/etna-bianco-2019-pietradolce-75cl\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEtna Bianco\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhich shows more herbal notes.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"A model small estate making \u003cstrong\u003etop-level\u003c\/strong\u003e authentically regional wines from mostly old vines, including several \u003cstrong\u003epre-phylloxera\u003c\/strong\u003e parcels\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e begins the write-up by Master Sommelier John Szabo in his fabulous 2016 book \"\u003cstrong\u003eVolcanic Wines - Salt, Grit and Power\u003c\/strong\u003e\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe passage continues \u003cem\u003e\"Michele Faro's grandfather grew grapes and made wine on Etna, and some of the \u003cstrong\u003eoldest parcels\u003c\/strong\u003e were in family hands, so he got off to a running start in 2005. Vineyards are on the north side, \u003cstrong\u003eall above 600m\u003c\/strong\u003e: tiny \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/collections\/all\/products\/barbagalli-etna-rosso-2016-pietradolce-75cl\"\u003eBarbagalli\u003c\/a\u003e with gnarled centenary bush-trained Nerello Mascalese is the highest and most precious, yielding succulent, \u003cstrong\u003espectacularly balanced\u003c\/strong\u003e wines, with endless finish. Cru \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/collections\/all\/products\/archineri-etna-rosso-2017-pietradolce-75cl\"\u003eArchineri\u003c\/a\u003e is nearly as impressive, also from old vines planted a few metres below Barbagalli. Steely, flinty-mineral \u003cspan style=\"color: #148808;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArchineri Bianco\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is from 10-year-old+ Carricante near Milo on Erna's east side. Infinitely drinkable Etna Rosso from younger albarello-trained vines is well proportioned with delicate red fruit. Purpose-made \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/collections\/all\/winery_pietradolce+type_rose\"\u003eEtna Rosato\u003c\/a\u003e from 40-year-old trellised vines rounds out the superb range.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pietradolce","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46163995394302,"sku":"UVPD47","price":95.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/1692\/7337\/products\/ARCHINERIEtnaBianco2018_Pietradolce_75cl_5aa39257-e462-47a6-a94a-28d3ec2c6a65.png?v=1651048028"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0246\/1692\/7337\/collections\/F241BC90-5FB3-498C-9A1A-1464F3C7F79E.png?v=1763695214","url":"https:\/\/onceuponavine.sg\/collections\/wine-tasting-20-nov-2025.oembed","provider":"Once Upon A Vine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}