It’s California Wine Month 2022! Fancy a glass of red (or white)? If a rich pour is up your street, you’ll love these California wines that pair amazingly with a variety of cuisines.
The Golden State is known for many things: Hollywood, Silicon Valley, Coachella, Disneyland… and of course, its famed wineries. Oenophiles, mark your cals because some of the best Golden State pours are coming to restaurant menus in Singapore for California Wine Month 2022, organised by the California Wine Institute. (The event will return annually so keep an eye out.) Happening from now till 10 July, this food and wine festival will see California’s best sips taking the spotlight at five fab restaurants.
You can’t miss popular wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley (merlot or sauvignon blanc, anyone?). But there are other pours to try, too. Savour sparkling wines from the coastal Mendocino county, toast to pinot noirs and chardonnays from Russian River Valley, as well as other rich California wines. Read on for the restaurants to book a table at if you want to try these sips. (Psst: if you can’t get a table or can’t get enough of these sips, bag home a bottle or two from Red Mart or Fairprice’s online stores.)
1. La Dame de Pic
This upscale dining venue is Raffles Hotel Singapore’s must-have reservation. La Dame de Pic sets the scene for a gourmet indulgence with an elegant ambience and one of the world’s top female chefs, Anne-Sophie Pic, at the helm. This month, sink into one of its posh velvet seats for an exceptional wine pairing experience presented by chef sommelier Justin Wee, featuring a choice of California wines alongside its new summer menu. Details are meant to be a surprise, so pop by the restaurant for a taste from now till 2 July!
2. Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore
Signature roasted prime rib of beef and the spinning bowl salad are the stars of the show at Lawry’s The Prime Rib Singapore. But this popular American restaurant has a new launch up its sleeve: a special grand Californian four-course set menu – best paired with the California wine flight, of course. Available till 30 June, expect the crisp 2018 Round Hill Chardonnay; the warm and earthy 2018 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir; and the lush and silky 2018 Lander Jenkins Cabernet Sauvignon.
3. Rosemead
Rosemead offers a convivial, relaxed take on fine dining. Named after executive chef David Tang’s hometown in California, its menu reflects the varied culinary influences of the state. And there’s no better way to relish its modern California-inspired menu than with wines from the Golden State itself. Curated by principal sommelier Marcus Tan, the California wine list offers the ideal pours by the glass to pair with the a la carte menu till 30 June. Think cabernet sauvignon from Paso Robles, pinot noir from Russian River Valley and more.
4. Shang Palace
Keen to enjoy some of California’s best wines with a one Michelin-starred meal? Shangri-La Singapore’s Shang Palace fits the bill. This Cantonese fine dining restaurant invites you in for a taste of its signature dishes like braised spare ribs, stewed trout with foie gras, deep fried chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and other eats. Elevate the flavours on your plate with the California Wine Flight from now till 10 July, specially curated by Shangri-La Group’s area head sommelier, Britt Ng. This includes the fresh and elegant NV Roederer Estate Quartet Brut; the layered and subtly zesty 2018 Peter Michael L’Apres Midi Sauvignon Blanc; and the bold and deep 2018 Cakebread Cellars Merlot.
5. Origin Grill & Bar
Housed within Shangri-La Singapore, Origin Grill & Bar is another venue you can enjoy the aforementioned California Wine Flight, available till 10 July. Known for its farm-to-table philosophy, this restaurant’s selection of fresh, high quality ingredients culminates in its sophisticated spread of European cuisine. Pair the Australian pork chop or Rangers Valley Black Market angus with the merlot, or indulge in sweet treats like the bergamot avocado parfait with the sparkling Roederer Estate Brut. This wine flight is perfect for trying out various flavour pairings!
It’s time to make dinner an indulgent affair with these limited-time menus, because wine not?
This post is in partnership with California Wine Institute.