Somms Exchange: Praelum at 67 – Then vs Now: Reassessing the Blind Tastings That Shaped the Wine World

For our next Somm Exchange, we’re bringing out the big hitters – both in terms of the wines and the somms themselves.

Join us for a journey back to the world’s most influential blind tastings, as we re-examine the outcomes and their lasting impact on the wine world.

For this interactive exercise, we’ll be joined by Gerald Lu, co-founder of wine bar and bistro Praelum, who also serves as president of the Sommelier Association of Singapore. Gerald will team up with our Assistant Head Sommelier Yi Ying Ng to revisit historically significant blind tastings and re-examine them through a modern lens, asking if the original results still hold true.

Gerald and Yi Ying have assembled three pairs of wines – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux blends – in honour of three landmark tastings that pitted Old World against New: the 1976 Judgment of Paris; the 1979 Gault Millau ‘Wine Olympics’; and the 2004 Berlin tasting.

We will all – including our hosts – taste the wines semi-blind (that is we will know the wines being tasted, but not which is which) as we compare past and present winemaking philosophies. Then we will ask Members to vote for their favourites before revealing the results and considering how our tastes and verdicts compare to the approach of the original tasters.

Do join us for what should be a fun and fascinating evening.

Welcome drink:
Billecart-Salmon, Réserve, Brut

The wines we will be tasting: 
2019 Joseph Drouhin, 1er Cru Clos Des Mouches Blanc, Beaune, Burgundy
2017 Château Montelena, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California
2021 Domaine Serene, Evenstad Reserve, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
2020 Maison Joseph Drouhin, 1er Cru Les Baudes, Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy
2019 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia, Bolgheri Sassicaia, Tuscany, Italy
2020 Seña, Aconcagua Valley, Chile

Programme Rundown:
15:00 – Welcome drink on arrival with light bites
15:30 – Event starts
17:00 – Event ends

Saturday 27th June
Living Room
Speakers:  Gerald Lu & Yong Yi Ying

$268 nett

Somms Exchange is conceived as a two-way conversation. What begins at the Club will continue across Singapore as Yi Ying brings the exchange to Praelum in a forthcoming session. Members are invited to watch out for the next chapter of this series.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

General Notes

• 67 Pall Mall Singapore Ltd reserves the right to amend the Terms and Conditions without prior notice. Members are advised to check the event page for the latest updates.
• The Club reserves the right to postpone or cancel an event due to insufficient attendance, forces of nature, accidents or emergencies. In such cases, we will either refund the full cost of the course, or arrange an alternative date.
• If any substitutions become necessary, we will ensure the value and quality of replacement are equivalent.
• All Members and guests are required to maintain an appropriate standard of dress in the Club at all times. As a rule of thumb, smart casual dress code applies, unless otherwise specified by the event.
• The legal drinking age is 18 years old in accordance with the Singapore law.
• Club policy applies.

Ticketing

• Tickets may only be purchased by Members of 67 Pall Mall and Members should be present at the event. Members are welcome to bring non-members.
• Bookings are confirmed once payment is received. At this point, refunds are not possible. However, the place may be transferred to another Member.

Masterclasses

• On the rare occasions when the speakers become unavailable, we will endeavour to reschedule the event. However, if there is less than 72 hours’ notice, we will in most cases proceed as planned.
• Please note that masterclass tastings do not include a meal. Restaurant reservations can be made before or after the event. If reservations are unavailable, our reception team may be able to offer walk-up tables on the day.