Celebrity Life

For the perfect country escape and an idyllic weekend away worthy of a romantic chick-lit novel, Tylney Hall Hotel and Gardens is the place to visit this summer. The stunning Grade II listed mansion dates back to the 1700s and is nestled amongst 66 acres of beautiful grounds in the Hampshire countryside. Tylney Hall Hotel […]

If you’ve been dreaming of a marvellous Maltese getaway then you are in luck as we are giving you the opportunity to win a stay at the five-star hotel Rosselli (part of AX Hotels), in the country’s capital of Valletta. In addition to this the lucky winner will be treated to a private half-day walking […]

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, prepares to make its brand entry in Italy this autumn with the debut of W Rome. Located on Via Liguria, next to the Spanish Steps, this historic palazzo-turned-luxury-lifestyle-hotel will offer an unapologetically Italian experience, where guests can live in the moment and anticipate the future of the Eternal […]

Imbibed amidst an immersive patchwork of sounds, scents, and flavours, the latest edition of Krug's much-loved multi-vintage Champagne strikes a chord that is as joyful as it is delicious.

I'll be the first to concede that there's nothing quite like "the intangible quality...of taking in the terroir" but insofar as virtual tastings are concerned -- essentially the status quo for drinks industry pundits in 2021 -- the recent unveiling of Krug's latest Grande Cuvée proved to be oddly visceral and thrilling (in some ways, even touching). Every year since 1843, the eponymous makers of prestige Champagne have released a new assemblage of reserve wines, always consisting of the classic Champenois trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier; and always left to age sur lie for 7 years.

Dispensing first with the formalities, the 169th Edition is a "generous expression" of 146 wines made in 11 different years (Krug bottle single vintages relatively infrequently), the oldest of which harkens back to the turn of the millennium. It is, however, the 2013 vintage that -- to butcher a musical analogy -- really sets the bassline: with intensely "luminous and pure" Chardonnays; racy Meunier; and Pinot Noir that extrudes a long, treacle finish. It is in a word, unsurprisingly, 'scrumptious': at its best harmonising alongside sharp aged cheese; aromatic seafood dishes; maybe even a cheeky slice of tarte tatin.

Unsurprisingly, the hallmarks of this Grande Cuvée (namely quality, consistency, and complexity) remain present year in, year out; but it's Krug's highly intuitive method of presentation that helps to immerse drinkers in the art of crafting prestige Champagne. With the jubilant voice of Olivier Krug pouring into their ears -- livestreaming in from the Maison's ancestral holdfast in Reims -- participants in these 'Encounters' were able to hear the story of the 169th Edition in a style that takes you beyond the spoken word. An "audio pairing" composed by Belgian musician Ozark Henry (and fed through to listeners using 8D technology) chronicles, in sonic form, the entire journey of the latest Krug edition: from plot to tasting, and finally harmonious blending together at the hands of Cellar Master Julie Cavil.

As ever, these 'Encounters' ended with a culinary presentation (in Hong Kong, presided over by Island Shangri-La's Uwe Opocensky) inspired by the tasting notes for the current edition -- langoustine and freshly jetted oysters seem to be much-favoured accompaniments this time round -- followed by a round of questions for the Maison's patriarch, Mr. Olivier Krug. On whether he was excited for a resumption of global travel -- to better present this 169th annual bottling -- he expressed optimism. Until then, you could do a lot worse than sipping to a soundtrack.

The 169th Edition of Krug Grande Cuvée is now available at various retail partners throughout Hong Kong, including Watson's, The Fine Wine Experience, CitySuper and Avize Wine Cellar. To learn more, visit Krug online.

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Following the exciting news that Barbados has been added to the UK’s travel ‘Green List’ this week, we’ve started plotting our dream Bajan getaway with One Caribbean Estates. From a secluded hideaway to a multi-generational adventure, we’ve handpicked four of our favourite villas for the summer ahead. Whitehaven Whitehaven is a newly built three-bedroom villa […]

History is repeating itself—welcome back, Roaring the 20s!—nowhere more so than at Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, a restored mansion from the Jazz Age on ten acres of land in Austin, Texas. Upon selling in 1944, the property’s original owner said, “It’s a great place to throw a party, but too big to live […]

The post Commodore Perry Estate, The Gatsby-Esque House That Became A Hotel appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Rosewood Villa Magna, one of the most anticipated hotel openings in Europe, will welcome guests in Madrid this autumn, marking the arrival of the prestigious Rosewood Hotels and Resorts brand in Spain. Rosewood Hotels and Resorts and Mexican hotel and real estate group RLH Properties, that acquired the property in 2018, have announced the design […]

I lived just 20 miles from Coworth Park for almost five years and never knew it existed. This isn’t a failure on the part of the hotel’s marketing team, in fact, it’s one of the very things that makes Coworth Park so special. The illusive allure of this prestigious estate is what sets it apart […]

Mission Pacific Hotel, a JdV by Hyatt hotel, and The Seabird Resort, a Destination by Hyatt hotel have collaborated to offer its guests locally-driven experiences of Oceanside Beach. These two properties have been part of San Diego County as the largest oceanfront hotel project in 50 years within one of California’s first 14 cultural districts, […]

The post The Seabird Resort and Mission Pacific Hotel Collaborate to Offer Locally-Driven Experiences appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

There’s no denying that the majority of businesses globally have felt the pinch over the past twelve months, with ongoing lockdowns forcing many to shut up shop for extended periods of time or pivot quickly in a bid to stay afloat. But one market that has flourished in spite of the economic pressures we’ve all […]

Banyan Tree Group has launched its first property in Europe called Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa while the location could not have been chosen better with the hilltop estate in Corfu’s Akra Punta bay being the canvas for this property. This luxury resort and spa have a collection of 159 guest rooms, suites, and 37 […]

The post Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa is Banyan Tree’s first European hotel appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Words by Jade Braham The UK’s invention of railways made leisure, opulence, and adventure widely accessible, with gleaming stations both warmly welcoming passengers and bidding them goodbye. Some even housed grand hotels to accommodate disembarking travellers, where enchanting galas, delectable feasts, sumptuous bedchambers, and an intoxicating social scene awaited guests. The Caledonian pocketed such traditions […]