Celebrity Life

Fifty metres underground — this is the depth that local winemakers chose when they decided to store 10,000 wine bottles in the Aven d'Orgnac caves, an underground tourist attraction located at the southern end of the limestone plateau of the Gorges de l'Ardèche.

The experiment began in March 2018, when a new storage facility was specially created in a disused access tunnel to allow wine to mature in what amounts to a highly stable and peaceful environment.

A living product that ages best in undisturbed darkness, the wine will have benefited from ideal conditions: A constant temperature of around 12°C and an all-year-long rate of humidity of over 95%.

On December 12, 1,000 bottles of Côtes du Vivarais "Grand Aven 2017" from this treasure trove will be passed from hand to hand by a chain of human volunteers who will bring them back to the surface after two years underground. Thereafter, they will go under the hammer with a range of other local vintages in an auction with modest reserve prices.

Lots on offer will include 150 magnums of Terra Helvorum 2017 starting at 30 euros, 350 bottles of 2015 Terra Helvorum for as little as 15 euros and 350 bottles of Grand Aven 2016 from just 10 euros.

On land and sea

These days, experiments to store wine deep underground are very much in vogue in France. On June 3 of this year, 500 bottles were placed in racks at a depth of 103 metres in caves in Padirac under the watchful eye of Serge Dubs, the Best Sommelier of the World in 1989.

The first of these to return to the surface will be brought up for an initial tasting in the spring of 2021. And let's not forget that this experiment is focused on a very particular wine: A Clos Triguedina Cahors, christened Cuvée Probus, which has been produced to honour the 130-year anniversary of the Padirac Chasm.

Surprisingly enough, this new approach to maturing wine was initially inspired by a find at sea. In 2010, divers in the Baltic discovered a wreck containing what turned out to be a cargo of champagne, which was probably on its way to 1840s Russia.

The wave of experimentation that is now ongoing began when the bubbly, which was made by such houses as Veuve Clicquot, Heidsieck and the now defunct Juglar, was discovered to still be delicious after some 170 years under water.

In Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the French Basque country, winemaker Emmanuel Poirmeur has registered a patent for a process that involves vinifying wine in special vats at a depth of 15 metres under water. For its part, Leclerc-Briant set a record when it vinified one of its champagnes at a depth of 60 meters under the Atlantic in 2012, not surprisingly the vintage was christened "Abyss."

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Global lockdowns have allowed the natural world to thrive in the absence of humans, and the English luxury marque is no exception.

The post Nature takes over at the Rolls Royce facility in West Sussex appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Global lockdowns have allowed the natural world to thrive in the absence of humans, and the English luxury marque is no exception.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Titled [Sur]Naturel, the collection is a dialogue between the figuration and abstraction of nature.

The post Cartier’s new high jewellery collection is inspired by nature appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Titled [Sur]Naturel, the collection is a dialogue between the figuration and abstraction of nature.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

The NUS research fellow and co-founder of Celebrating Singapore Shores talks about the importance of biodiversity in her Next Gen guest column.

The post Dr Neo Mei Lin: Saving the environment the right way appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The NUS research fellow and co-founder of Celebrating Singapore Shores talks about the importance of biodiversity in her Next Gen guest column.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Boulders Beach is a short day trip from Cape Town and has quickly become a must visit for travelers to South Africa. It is a…

The post How to Visit the Penguins at Boulders Beach appeared first on World of Wanderlust.

—Geometric panels, steel micro dwellings, a mysterious wooden façade — cabin architecture is inspiring designers with the spirit of seclusion. Living in a big city means that every day is fast-paced—hours slip through our fingers and our thoughts are never settled. Everyone unwinds in different ways but there seems to be a resurgence in escaping […]

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Lo Pirque restaurant has to be one of my absolute Chile highlights. It’s an equestrian centre about an hour’s drive from Santiago which puts on…

The post Lo Pirque Restaurant : a traditional Chilean experience appeared first on The Expater.

Lo Pirque restaurant has to be one of my absolute Chile highlights. It’s an equestrian centre about an hour’s drive from Santiago which puts on…

The post Lo Pirque Restaurant : a traditional Chilean experience appeared first on The Expater.

Everything you’ve heard about Rotorua’s lush landscape, rich indigenous Māori culture, somewhat distinctive aroma, and bubbling geothermal activity is all true -- and it’s absolutely stunning. No wonder the North Island of New Zealand is considered one of the country’s most beautiful city and lakes districts. Plus, there’s also some great wine to drink, so if you have yet to consider it for your travel bucket list, read on for our top picks in this unique destination and discover what to see and do in this breathtaking natural wonderland.

See: Waimangu Volcanic Valley

A hotbed of volcanic activity, Rotorua is home to several geothermal attractions, one of which is Waimangu ('black water' in Māori), Volcanic Valley. Created by the devastating volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, Waimangu is now the world's youngest geothermal site and the ecology adventure you’ve been looking for. Whether you prefer to walk, hike or cruise through the valley, the mysterious views of steaming craters, the world’s largest hot spring at a scorching 55 degrees (we recommend not to swim), and turbulent geysers are sure to keep you immersed. Make sure you download the Waimangu App on your phone to uncover hidden info about the valley as you tour through.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley, 587 Waimangu Road, Off State Highway 5, Rotorua 3043, New Zealand; +64 7 366 6137

Do: Tamaki Māori Village

It begins with hongi -- a traditional and meaningful Māori greeting where two people touch their noses and foreheads together -- before you really get to grips with New Zealand and its indigenous people. If you really want to immerse yourself in its deep-rooted heritage, then head to Tamaki Maori Village, an award-winning cultural site situated in the thick of an ancient Tawa forest. They offer travellers a peek into the world of the Māori with some incredible performances depicting its ancient warriors, ceremonial rituals such as the haka war dance, storytelling and hāngī, or cooking in an underground pit oven.

Tamaki Maori Village, 1220 Hinemaru Street, Rotorua City, Rotorua 3040, New Zealand; +64 7-349 2999

Stay: Treetops Lodge & Estate

Exuding a rustic elegance in the centre of 2,500 private acres of native forest and rolling hills, Treetops Lodge & Estate is the ultimate wildness retreat in Rotorua. The villas themselves are undeniably charming and surrounded by a private game reserve as well as seven trout streams and four lakes to explore. There are also numerous outdoor activities to choose to partake in, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, or even hunting -- it’s all doable at Treetops. But if watching wildlife is more your bag, it’s recommended to trek through the estate on horseback and catch a glimpse of wild deer, buffalo, alpacas, pheasants and more as they freely roam the estate.

Treetops Lodge & Estate, 351 Kearoa Road, RD1, Horohoro, Rotorua, New Zealand; +64 7 333 2066

Eat: Local Produce (and Urbano Bistro)

In all honesty, the restaurant scene in Rotorua isn’t exactly thriving, but there is some fantastic local produce to try -- even at the lodges or estates you stay at. Don’t forget to sample fresh venison, lamb, lake trout and honey, just to name a few of them. If you're in need of an off-property dining destination, then we recommend Urbano. With a casual café set-up by day, and bistro-style vibe by night, the restaurant is a welcome spot with some alfresco seating serving up coffee, burgers, hearty mains and generous breakfasts.

Urbano, 89 Fenton St, Glenholme, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand; +64 7-349 3770

Drink: Volcanic Hills Winery

There are many reasons to love this New World wine country, and some of these reasons include sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot gris, and merlot. If you are a lover of fermented grapes, we suggest you drink at the Volcanic Hills Winery in Rotorua. The wine at Volcanic Hills is made at the base of the hill from grapes sourced across New Zealand’s main wine regions. You need to take the skyline gondola to reach the tasting room, but when you get there it’s worth it. You’ll not only be able to sample a selection of its best vintages, but you’ll also be able to take in incredible lake views from above, too.

Volcanic Hills Winery, 176 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 3015, New Zealand; +64 7-282 2018

Travel Tip:

There seems to be an endless list of natural attractions to visit in Rotorua, but another that is an absolute must is Huka Falls. Here, you’ll not only see the powerful phenomenon of this waterfall, but you’ll also hear its thundering roar from afar. And for the thrill-seekers, there are even jet boats that can take you up close, too.

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