Celebrity Life

Simpson Yacht Charter becomes the exclusive charter partner of The Peninsula Hong Kong, the historic colonial-style hotel founded in 1928.

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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."

The post 18 of the Best Hong Kong Mooncakes To Indulge in This Mid-Autumn 2020 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Complete your jet-setting lifestyle with stays at these hotels around the world.

The post Luxury hotels: newly-revamped properties to check into appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Complete your jet-setting lifestyle with stays at these hotels around the world.

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

As Hong Kong’s Art Month ensues, we're seeing all sorts of creativity spilling out across the city and onto our plates. With art-inspired menus, dishes and cocktails on offer, there's something for everyone to celebrate the arty season. So if gallery hopping isn't for you, here’s a list of 9 other cool art-related things to eat or drink this month. 

Ozone, The Ritz-Carlton

From now until 31 March

If drinkable art is your thing, you can head on up to The Ritz-Carlton’s Ozone, the world’s highest bar, to sample cocktails and tapas inspired by the Bauhaus movement, which combined construction and fine arts in the early 20th century. Created by culinary and bar manager Oscar Mena, bar-goers can sip on artsy cocktails that have been inspired by Bauhaus maestros László Moholy-Nagy, Josef Albers, and Paul Klee. What’s more, artisan mixologist and Asia’s Monkey 47 brand ambassador Zachary Connor de Git will be guest bartending for one night only (Friday, 29 March) with some of his own signature creations.

Ozone, Level 118, International Commerce Centre (ICC), 1 Austin Rd West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2263 2270

CÉ LA VI

From now until 31 March

Art lovers rejoice! You can now eat, drink and simultaneously experience art at CÉ LA VI. A tasting menu featuring six colourful dishes will set the tone with dishes such as oyster & botan ebi to start, and a vibrant beet & raspberry mousse to finish. Wash it down with their exclusive art cocktail, Panthère Cobblers, inspired by French ‘Born Wild’ pop-artist Richard Orlinksi, all the while enjoying the collection of sculptures, courtesy of Opera Gallery, displayed across The Lounge, Sky Deck and restaurant. To end the month on an artistic high, CÉ LA VI will also be hosting a closing party featuring a live performance by dance alchemy production group I AM.

CÉ LA VI, 25/F California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3700 2300

Felix, The Peninsula

From now until 30 May

Get in the mood for artistry at The Peninsula’s 28th floor restaurant, Felix, and enjoy the Five Senses Art Experience menu by Chef de Cuisine Juan Gomez. Created to please all your senses, dishes like crispy king crab pillows will indulge hearing, whilst chargrilled Iberian pork pluma will excite your sense of smell and pan-fried foie gras with glazed plums will tickle your taste buds. But if that’s not enough art for you, The Peninsula -- being the official hotel partner of Art Basel Hong Kong — will also launch ‘Art in Resonance’, a multi-year art program that starts 26 March, in which the hotel will play host to newly commissioned, immersive installations by contemporary artists across the globe.

Felix, 28/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2696 6778

Whisk, The Mira 

From 28 March to 22 April

Back by popular demand (for the fifth consecutive year now), is Chef Oliver Li’s ingredient-driven, street art-inspired menu. Reflecting upon UK-born, HK-bred visual artist Szabotage’s pop-up exhibition “Reflections”, the six-course menu incorporates urban and pop culture in its dishes -- including the signature graffiti-style Koi patterns. Along with the meal comes four pop-artsy tipples that also pay tribute to the street art influence.

Whisk, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2315 5999

Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour

From now until 31 March 

The artisanal gin bar tucked in the basement of The Landmark is a favourite most days, but during Art Month, the place is especially popular with bartender Gerry Olino’s art-inspired cocktails. The first of his creations is Flowers in the Snow -- a concoction of infused gin, honey, cream, egg white, soda and local jasmine tea -- instilled by artist Robert Tracy’s mysterious flower painting. The second drink is a must-order simply for its gorgeous presentation; The Blossom is derived from a simple seed, given the love and water needed to transform into beautiful and colourful life, and is made from Whitley Neill Quince Gin, London Orange & Elderflower and edible flowers.

Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour, Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2111 9449

Mandarin Bar & Grill, Mandarin Oriental

From now until 31 March

Michelin-starred chef Robin Zavou celebrates Art Month this year with his Palatable Art menu. This time, he’s paired up with artist Konstantin Bessmertny and Benjamin Sigg of Art Advisory to put forth a four-course dinner menu. Each dish is a true work of art as it mirrors, complements, or exudes the feelings and ideas intended by the artist, and now, the chef as well. Special mentions include the caviar, leek and cauliflower starter inspired by Ancient Régime, and the Wagyu beef served with bark and smoked at the table to bring out the five elements, reflective of the piece with the same title by Chinese artist Ji Dachun.

Mandarin Bar & Grill, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2825 4004

Mumm Harbourfront Party 

27 March

Back for the fourth year now, Mumm Champagne returns to co-host one of Art Month’s biggest celebrations right at Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space with Art Central. This VIP party is also the debut of Mumm Grand Cordon Stellar – the first Champagne bottle designed specifically for space travel. Although you may not have any plans to venture past our planet anytime soon, you are however guaranteed an evening that is out of this world, with free-flow drinks and international DJ performances.

Mumm Grand Cordon Stellar Lounge, Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2151 2699

The Lounge, Four Seasons 

From now until 31 March

Sunday afternoons just got better with Four Season’s new Art Frenzy Afternoon Tea set offering. Led by Executive Pastry Chef, Ringo Chan, the interactive tea buffet is an expression of the chef’s creativity in the form of sweet delights. Expect artistic creations in his interpretation of urban Hong Kong, bird cages found in the old parts of Kowloon, and paint tubes inspired by the city’s modern street art. The tea set is available from 2pm to 4pm, or 4:15pm to 6pm.

The Lounge, Four Seasons, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3196 8820

Pirata Group

From 27 to 31 March, during dinner until end of service.

Walking through all the galleries and exhibitions at Art Basel Hong Kong can be thirsty work. Luckily, restaurant group Pirata has us covered with a list of venues across Hong Kong offering complimentary drinks (from glasses of Prosecco to cocktails and bottles of wine) to all Art Basel VIP ticket-holders this month. Visit Chaiwala, Madame Ching, TokyoLima, Meats, Pirata or The Optimist and recharge with a much-needed tipple to keep you going through art month.

Chaiwala, Basement 43, 55 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2362 8988
Madame Ching, 5 Star Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2577 7227
TokyoLima,  G/F, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central; +852 2811 1152
Meats, G/F, 28 - 30, Staunton Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2711 1812
Pirata, 30/F, 235-239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2887 0270
The Optimist, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2433 3324

The post Where to Try Art-Inspired Menus this Month appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The Peninsula Hong Kong celebrates a new era of innovation at its legendary Felix restaurant and bar.

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The Thai capital's most exclusive boltholes can be found by the historic Chao Phraya River or perched atop skyscrapers raised by some of the world's most celebrated starchitects.

The post Best luxury hotels in Bangkok appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The Thai capital's most exclusive boltholes can be found by the historic Chao Phraya River or perched atop skyscrapers raised by some of the world's most celebrated starchitects.

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