Celebrity Life

Coravin, the wine lover's dream device that lets you pour wine without uncorking, is back with brand new models.

As fans of the smart wine preservation system, we have observed Coravin for some time and seen the brand expand with new technology every year. Now, they have extended their product lineup with the launch of new systems -- Models Three and Six. What's more, all new and existing models have been equipped with SmartClamps™, which, prior to the launch, was only available on Model Eleven. The new easy-on and easy-off clamps are designed to go over the neck of the bottle and push down firmly on the handle in one fluid motion, making the system even easier to use.

Coravin's wine access technology is all down to the hollow needle that is inserted through the cork, before the system pressurises the bottle with Argon (an inert, colourless and odourless) gas, to pour the wine out. Once poured, and the Coravin is taken off the bottle, the cork reseals naturally -- allowing wine to stay fresh for months on end, and years if needed.

The new systems also comes with a Coravin Screw Cap which allows users to enjoy new world wine (with screw caps) the same way as old world wine (cork) bottles, preserving them for up to three months.

So, with four Coravin Models in total, Model Three, Five, Six and Eleven, which model is the right one for you? Well, let's find out shall we.

Coravin Model Three

Details: Model Three is an upgraded version of Coravin's Model One and features a clean and simple, user-friendly and functional design in matte texture.
Perfect for: the everyday wine drinker.
Price: HK$2,080

Coravin Model Five

Details: Model Five is not available for retail as it has been made specifically for trade. The design is simply elegant but durable.
Perfect for: those in the industry who favour classic design with metallic accents.
Price: email for trade price

Coravin Model Six

Details: Model Six is the upgraded version of the popular Model Two Elite edition, it also features vibrant colours with chrome accents.
Perfect for: luxury style and fashion lovers.
Price: HK$3,580

Coravin Model Eleven

Details: Model Eleven is the smartest device of the Coravin family. It is the first bluetooth connected and fully automatic system. It comes with LED display, glass pour optimisation, and connection to the Coravin Moments app, which tracks system statistics and advises on wine pairings with food, music and more.
Perfect for: technology and gadget enthusiasts who love a varied wine experience.
Price: HK$6,880

The post These Are the Most Valued Auction Items to Go Under the Hammer appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Sotheby's has sold one of the world's oldest cognacs preserved since the end of 19th Century for a record breaking amount in an online auction.

The bottle of Gautier Cognac 1762 went under the hammer for approximately HK$1,132,789 (£118,580), which set a new auction record following the online sale. Sotheby’s said in a statement that "only three bottles of this exceedingly rare Cognac remain to this day, having been held in the same family for generations with their original labels attached".

Known as Grand Frère (Big Brother in French) of the spirit trio, the extremely rare cognac was bought by an Asian private collector who will also receive a bespoke distillery experience at Maison Gautier, an element included in the price. Sotheby's spirits specialist Jonny Fowle told The Times newspaper in London that the cognac "should still be drinkable". He added that "High-ABV (alcohol by volume) liquids like this preserve themselves very well, although I would expect there to be discernible OBE -- this stands for old bottle effect, which is how we describe the development of spirits over time... Sometimes this can impart very pleasant tropical notes, and at other times less appealing porridgy notes."

[caption id="attachment_207421" align="alignnone" width="1648"] Gautier Cognac 1762 | Image: Sotheby's[/caption]

The sellers of the cognac, who wish to remain anonymous, revealed that the bottle had been given to their great grandparents by an orphan they fostered called Alphonse. He had left his adopted family in the 1870s to work in the Cognac region, and returned to them a decade later with a cart full of bottles of Cognac. According to Sotheby's, most of the bottles were soiled, but amongst them were the three Maison Gautier Cognacs with labels that were in pristine condition. Thereafter, it was noted that Alphonse fought in World War I in 1914, but sadly, never returned.

Meanwhile, the cognac's siblings are elsewhere: the little sister is housed in the museum of the French cognac distillery Maison Gautier, and the little brother was sold at auction in New York in 2014.

The post Exceedingly Rare 258-Year-Old Cognac Fetches a Record HK$1.1 million at Auction appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The autographed Air Jordan 1 Nike sneakers, made for Michael Jordan in 1985, has set a record for basketball shoes.

The post Game-worn Air Jordan sneakers sell for record-breaking US$560,000 appeared first on The Peak Magazine.