Glitz Mega Group staged an exclusive cocktail party in Capital Club Dubai, as it launches LUXUO.ae and represents YACHT STYLE and PALACE in the Middle East.
Glitz Mega Group hosted an exclusive launch party at Capital Club Dubai, as the new media company launches LUXUO.ae and begins representation of Asia-based luxury titles YACHT STYLE and PALACE in the Middle East.
Robert Terrence Welsh emceed the event, which featured about 100 guests ranging from local dignitaries to art collectors and watch enthusiasts, as well as yacht industry leaders including Francis Lapp, founder and President of Sunreef Yachts.
Sherry Faller, founder and Managing Director of Glitz Mega Group, is leading the company and is supported by Marketing Director Paolo Gomez. Gael Burlot, CEO of Lux Inc Media, owner of YACHT STYLE and PALACE, joined the pair on stage for a special toast to celebrate the new company.
Sherry Faller, Gael Burlot and Paolo Gomez
“To be able to share the launch of Glitz Mega Group, and bring new luxury titles to the region for the first time with so many industry greats, is thrilling,” Faller said.
“It’s proof that this region is hungry for more avenues to integrate with the luxury world, and I believe Glitz Mega Group and our exciting new titles, together with our proven strength as event organisers, are the perfect bridge for that.”
During the evening, guests were introduced to several key supporters and sponsors of Glitz Mega Group including luxury leather brand Faggioli Atelier, which exhibited its line of fine leather handbags and shoes, and generously gifted each guest with a special ostrich leather card case worth Dhs5,000.
Sunreef, a world leader in large luxury catamarans,displayed a model of its 49M Sunreef Power, Belgian chocolatier Godiva gifted its gourmet chocolates to guests, perfumery house Maison 21G gifted candles, and multi-brand Luxury Souq displayed its latest collection of rare luxury watches.
Generous raffle prizes includes tailor-made suits from Officina Italiana and dinners for two at the award-winning Ninive and La Cantine du Faubourg from the Rikas Hospitality Group. www.luxuo.ae
Whisky Legend Frank McHardy Takes Us on a Spirited Journey of Whisky-making
SHARE
The connoisseur shares more about the special project with The Whisky Store where he picked an exclusive selection of single cask malts to be bottled under the Signature Reserve Frank McHardy series.
By Joseph Low
Hello Frank, you have been in the whisky industry for over 50 years. Could you tell us a little more about your first steps in this industry?
I started as a member of the yard team at Invergordon Distillery where I worked from 1963-1966. Subsequently, I moved to Tamnavulin Distillery in Glenlivet from 1966 -1973 as a general process worker whereby I was involved in all processes of distilling and warehouse operations. In 1973, I was appointed as the Assistant Manager at Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay and stayed on till 1977. I then moved to Campbeltown in late 1977 to join Springbank as a Distillery Manager until 1986. From 1986-1996, I was the Head Distiller at Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland where I honed my skills and knowledge in whisky making for 10 years. Eventually, I moved back to Springbank Distillery in 1996 as the Distillery Manager and was later promoted to Director of Production. In 2013, I decided to retire from full-time employment and I have become an independent whisky consultant to date.
With such an illustrious career spanning from Springbank, Longrow, Hazelburn and Kilkerran, which of these places would you say helped to shape and define your career?
Initially at Invergordon, it was probably about getting a job just to get by life like any other young lads. I think my initial interest in distilling was formed during my time at Tamnavulin, where process workers were involved in all aspects of distilling and warehouse operations. But as for shaping and defining my career, each of these distilleries that I have worked in, added experience and knowledge to me. Especially at Bushmills, I’ve learned about the importance of using wood and the laying down of stocks for future usage and sales. I eventually applied these skills and expertise during my time at Springbank.
There is this misconception that older whiskies are better than the younger ones, does this hold water and what’s one other misconception that you wish to debunk?
I wouldn’t say older whiskies are better than the younger ones. However, older whiskies usually provide more flavour and balance due to the lengthy maturation. Don’t get me wrong. Some of the younger whiskies can also be very good, except that a lot of the flavours and characteristics of these young whiskies tend to come from the cask that they are matured in. I always believed that around 60 per cent of the flavour of any whisky comes from the cask it was matured in. Hence, age shall not be used as a benchmark for good whisky, but rather the type and quality of casks used to mature these whiskies.
The other misconception that people always get is that Single Malt is always better than blends or grains. I will not agree with the above statement and again, I would stress that it really depends on how long, and how good the cask was used to mature the whiskies. There are very good blends and grains whiskies out there as well.
In your opinion, what makes a good bottle of whisky?
In my opinion, what makes a good whisky (especially malt whisky) is really the type of casks being used to mature the whisky, and at the same time, I will always look for whiskies that have been bottled at a minimum strength of 46 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV).
Personally, I would also prefer my whisky to be at least around 12 years old. Reason is that the product has not been chill filtered nor had any artificial colouring added. I believe that the process of chill filtering detracts from the natural flavour of the product. Single malts that were bottled at 40 per cent alcohol will probably have been chill-filtered and had colouring added. Having said that, I do believe that some of the older whiskies’ alcohol strength in the cask will have dropped below 46 per cent ABV. In this instance, I will not be so wary about the whisky being chill filtered as it will still be considered as “cask strength “. Tell us a little more about this special Whisky Bottling project that you have embarked on.
Image: The Whisky Store
Currently, I am working with The Whisky Store in Singapore on several interesting projects and one of them is about hand-selecting and sourcing single cask malts and grain whiskies to be bottled under the Signature Reserve Frank McHardy series.
Together with The Whisky Store, you have launched a Signature Reserve’s Frank McHardy series where there are 12 exclusive bottles that you have picked, tell us a little more about the process behind this selection.
At present, there are 14 exclusive bottlings of these single casks. All these casks have been hand-picked by myself from various sources of my contacts. If I find a cask which suits the range of bottling under my name, I will proceed to request a sample from the cask. Nosing and tasting the whisky is the only way of making sure that this whisky is of my standard. If I am satisfied with the whisky, only then will we decide to purchase the cask. Therefore, I would say these 14 bottles go through my very strict selection before the golden liquid is bottled. (Laughs)
Why have you decided to work with The Whisky Store on this special project and tell us how is this significant in your career?
It all started when Khoon Hui and Joyce came to the Springbank Whisky school when I was the Director of Production at Springbank then. After sharing multiple conversations and a fruitful time with them, I felt like I could resonate with their passion for whisky. Therefore, this very special connection with them made me decide to work with the couple to put together this exclusive series. Moreover, I think this has also given me the opportunity to put all the knowledge I have gained during my career in whisky to good use.
Whisky collection has been on the rise in recent years, what are your thoughts on collecting whisky as a form of alternative investment?
Image: The Whisky Store
The collection of exclusive whisky bottles has been around for over 50 years. Back then, there were only a handful of collectors who really enjoyed a good dram or two of the liquid gold and shared these drams with their close friends. However, fast forward to today, there are growing numbers of collectors or “collectors”, which I think are more like resellers. The main aim of these resellers collecting the bottles is to buy and flip them to resell at a higher price in the open market.
Alternatively, they would send the bottles to various auction sites as well. By and large, there are people that buy whiskies and keep them for long term enjoyment, while others look to make a quick profit on their original purchase. Whichever the case is, I have no real view either way but would not count on bottles to increase in value to such an extent as to be an alternative investment.
What is one personal tip that you wish to share with our readers on how to enjoy whisky?
Enjoying whisky is very much a personal thing and everyone has their own preferences. For me, if I am drinking a single malt, I would prefer to add a little dash of good quality still water to reduce the alcohol content to around 46 per cent. My preference is not to add any ice as the flavour gets diluted and whisky will eventually become more singular in taste rather than the complex single malt that you had wished for. Even when I am drinking blended whisky, the same rule applies. However, I would enjoy some of the younger blends with ice and some mixers such as dry ginger ale. Therefore, it all boils down to each individual preference as well as the type of whisky you would like to indulge in.
You have met so many people along your whisky journey, could you share an interesting anecdote that you have encountered?
Image: The Whisky Store
I certainly have met a lot of people connected with the whisky trade, and attended numerous whisky shows throughout the world. I think one of my lasting memories was when I visited Japan. This was not long after the 2011 tsunami, and our importer took us on a tour where we visited some of the tsunami-affected areas in Japan. The way that the Japanese people were clearing up the devastation will always have a deep-rooted impression on me.
Another interesting memory happened some time back during Whisky Live Japan. My other two colleagues and I were watching Richard Patterson (Master Distiller of Dalmore) doing his usual presentation on stage. The three of us then decided that for a bit of fun, we would stand behind him where he could not see us and mimicked every action he did. He wondered why the audience were laughing and when he turned around and saw us, he had some choice words to say but saw the funny side, and decided to turn a blind eye to it.
If you could name one person who has an impact in your life, who would that be?
If there is only one choice and not someone from the whisky industry, of course my wife would be the one that made a huge impact in my life (laughs). But if we are speaking about people that I have met during my career in the industry, I think that Brendan Monks from Bushmill (Irish Distillers when I joined) taught me a lot about the sourcing of casks and cask management. I am very thankful for him.
What do you wish to see more in the whisky industry in the upcoming years?
I would like to see more of the small distilleries coming on stream and producing a product made from natural processes with no real emphasis on the highest yield possible. I think that tradition is something that should never be forgotten even at the expense of higher yields.
For more information about The Whisky Store, click here.
Opening a new frontier in Dubai, UAE is Sherry Faller, the founder and managing director of Glitz Mega Group, who will bring her wealth of experience to the up-and-coming gulf city.
By Joseph Low
Hello Sherry, we are excited to have Glitz Mega Group and LUXUO.ae launching in October. Why do you think LUXUO.ae would be a good fit in the Middle East?
We are extremely excited to launch Glitz Mega Group here in the UAE, and bring three internationally- renowned titles to the region. We will be featuring luxury news related to watches, cars, high-end properties, lifestyle, art and travel, following in the footsteps of its popular Singapore-based parent title LUXUO.com, one of the world’s largest luxury news portals with 2.6M views/month. We will also be the Middle East representative of YACHT STYLE and PALACE magazines, produced by the owners of LUXUO.
Tell us more about your team and the experience they will be bringing to steer the brand?
My professional experience started in Shanghai and Hong Kong working with top media companies from traditional to digital media. I have managed accounts like L’Oreal Group, Pernod Ricard, Diageo, Lufthansa Airlines, Osim China, LVMH, Chopard, Cartier, General Motors, Land Rover, Jaguar and other brands from the yachting, luxury properties, and private jets industries. I was very lucky to have these experiences that helped me build valuable contacts and a client base with phenomenal results that allowed me to penetrate the Middle Eastern market. Paolo Gomez, my Sales and Marketing Director, whom I have known way back when I used to live In Shanghai. He moved to Dubai in 2016 and I felt that he could greatly contribute to the growth of Glitz Mega Group.
In your opinion, what type of luxury news are Emiratis particularly interested in?
The UAE, being one of the quintessential luxury capitals in the world, Emiratis are mostly interested in all kinds of news that appeal to their luxurious tastes. Hence, I can really see the potential of my company in this region.
What do you think will be specific to LUXUO.ae that makes it unique from the other editions like LUXUO Vietnam and LUXUO.com?
Middle East has shown tremendous development over the past few years. A lot of the Fortune 500 companies have now entered the region as well. Especially Dubai, where it is known for everything lavish and grand, the land of the extreme, LUXUO.ae will be able to share with its followers some rare and one-of-a-kind news and information.
Are there special events and activations planned for the launch of LUXUO.ae?
Yes, we are going to launch Glitz Mega Group at the Capital Club — Dubai’s premier private business club at the vibrant Dubai International Financial District (DIFC) on 20 October 20, 2022 and have invited guests within the luxury industry.
You have amassed a wealth of experience in both Shanghai and Hong Kong, what prompted you to move over to Dubai?
The year 2020 was challenging to the world and many attributed it to the Covid-19 pandemic and yet Hong Kong underwent a traumatic time due to protests that lasted for a year and affected all kinds of businesses including my industry which is advertising, marketing, PR and events. Many companies have stopped spending in this sector. During this period, I got in touch with my former boss Olivier Burlot, CEO of Heart Media Group in Singapore and he gave me the idea to open LUXUO in another area. When the UAE market opened its doors for me, I found myself in a unique and exciting position, hence Glitz Mega Group was created.
Could you tell us more about the Dubai luxury scene this past year, especially with the easing of pandemic measures?
Dubai gained global traction not only in fashion but also as the ultimate luxury hub of the world. It also presents a huge opportunity for all buyers to find a myriad of collections in one place especially now that we are already seeing the end of the pandemic.
What do you think are some trends that suggest the luxury market is growing even further in the city?
Dubai is still growing each day. You will see a lot of new buildings being developed all over the city. The rules and laws are constantly changing making it easy for the investors, as well as the residents, to invest in Dubai. And because of that, this entices a lot of luxury brands to enter the Middle East.
Apart from its strategic location, what do you think makes Dubai such an attractive place for luxury brands to make its presence known?
Dubai always strives to come up with the world’s first. The entire world is watching and waiting for Dubai to come up with something extreme — and they always do. Because of that, many brands want to become part of this lavish and extravagant lifestyle that Dubai has to offer.
If you were to make a conjuncture, do you think Dubai would be the next powerhouse for luxury experiences and shopping?
I believe Dubai is already a powerhouse when it comes to luxury experiences and shopping. Being in the middle of the world, Dubai has simply become a great location for trade. You can see an amalgamation of brands from the West and the East. The number of tourists that come to Dubai each year is just astounding and that’s where a lot of Dubai’s GDP comes from.
How important is the luxury sector for Dubai and is there a difference in how the Emiratis perceive luxury as compared to spenders in Asia and the West?
Dubai is overflowing with everything extreme. From luxury properties to supercars on the road, the tallest building in the world, most expensive hotels and many more. It is no surprise that Emiratis love luxury goods and brands. For them, it is not only social status but it has become part of their daily life.
Where do you see Glitz Mega Group three years from now?
As we approach the end of the pandemic, especially in Dubai where everything is back to normal, everyone in the world is excited to go out there again. Glitz Mega Group arrived in the Middle East at the best time. I can see, with our hard work and strong and talented members of the company, Glitz Mega Group will rise together to become The UAE’s number one portal for hard-luxury news and information.
Porsche Ranks First As The World’s Most Valuable Brand
SHARE
The Stuttgart-based sports car manufacture’s recent IPO paves the way for a promising future.
By Joseph Low
Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 2022.
For German carmaker Porsche, its IPO debut on 29 September 2022 at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange was a momentous day as it ushered in a “new era with increased entrepreneurial flexibility”, according to the press release by the marque. The day also saw a new record in Europe as the car brand now holds the largest IPO by market capitalisation of around €78 billion.
On the first day of trading, the shares of Porsche were offered at €82.50 per share and by 6 October 2022, prices rose to €93, corresponding to a total market value of €85 billion. Compared to its ex-parent company Volkswagen’s market capitalisation of €77.7 billion, the sportscar maker finishes first to be Europe’s most valuable brand. Further adding to the prestige is the marque retaining its position as the world’s valuable luxury brand, according to Brand Finance, a leading brand valuation consultancy.
From left: Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board.
Speaking more about the successful IPO, Oliver Blume, chairman of the executive board of Porsche AG, said, “Making our customers’ dreams come true is what drives us. Today, a big dream comes true for us. With the completion of the IPO, we are beginning a new chapter in the unique history of our company.” He further added, “This is a historic moment for Porsche. Above all, I would like to thank our more than 37,000 dedicated colleagues worldwide and all who have enabled us to announce our successful IPO today.”
Porsche’s spun-off from its former parent company Volkswagen came at a juncture where the sportscar marker was due to end its financial and domination agreement by the end of 2022. Instead, it will be replaced by an industrial cooperation agreement where both entities will “govern their industrial and strategic relationship”. The common thread that holds the two is the aim for a “sustainable and value-creating development of Porsche AG”.
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS.
With the fresh funds it raised from the IPO, Porsche has plans to use it and fulfil its commitment towards electrification. By 2030, 80 per cent of the cars made by Porsche will be battery-electric vehicles and accompanying this path towards a greener future, and it is working towards a net-carbon value chain by the same year. This move towards using electric engines aligns with other car manufacturers like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari and Lamborghini.
“We aim to redefine the concept of modern luxury by combining luxury with sustainability and social commitment. Porsche wants to grow with its luxury products and services and assume social responsibility,” shared Oliver Blume of Porsche’s aim for the future.
The company is expecting its operating profits to be in the range of 17 to 18 per cent for the year ending 31 December 2022. Porsche is in a strong financial position as its half-year financial results already saw it earning €17.92 billion, so for the year 2022, its predicted revenue is around €38 billion to €39 billion.
At Passel Estate, Enjoy the Finest Wines Margaret River Has to Offer
SHARE
Wendy Stimpson, one of the owners of Passel Estate, speaks more about what Margaret River has to offer and takes us through the journey she embarked on with her husband in establishing their little paradise, Passel Estate.
By Joseph Low
Barry and Wendy Stimpson, owners of Passel Estate.
When it comes to popular wine regions, many of us would immediately think of France or Italy. But also equally renowned are wines from Australia, specifically from the region of Margaret River. The area has climate conditions that ensure the vineyards produce the best grapes required for making some of the best-known Cabernet Sauvignons.
Wendy Stimpson, one of the owners of Passel Estate, speaks more about what Margaret River has to offer and takes us through the journey she embarked on with her husband in establishing their little paradise, Passel Estate.
You and your husband Barry originate from England and South Africa respectively. How did you discover and fall in love with Margaret River?
While living in Hong Kong we visited Barry’s childhood friend from Cape Town, who is now settled in Perth. He took us to Margaret River, knowing that we would fall in love with the beautiful natural landscape and stunning wines. The area is reminiscent of the Cape Winelands where Barry grew up.
You settled in Margaret Valley in 2005. When did you formally establish Passel Estate and start managing it as a business?
Passel Estate Tasting Room.
We built our home in Margaret River in 2005 but continue to divide our time between Western Australia and Asia. We found the stunning property in 2011, which is now Passel Estate, and have been managing it ever since. We expanded the vineyard, built the tasting room and started producing wines under our own Passel Estate label from the 2015 vintage collection.
The Margaret River wine region is located in the remote southwest corner of Australia. It stretches 100km from North to South, surrounded by ocean on three sides. How important is maritime influence on the region’s viticulture?
An aerial view of the Passel Estate towards the Indian Ocean.
Passel Estate’s proximity to the ocean and the regional maritime-influenced climate are crucial components of our terroir. It means there is ample rainfall during the winter to fill our dams and set up the soils to nourish the developing vines through the subsequent growing season. Later, the cooling sea breezes moderate the summer heat temperatures, allowing the grapes to ripen gently through to harvest, resulting in exceptional-quality fruit. The consistent ripening conditions provided by the maritime-influenced climate are especially important for Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the varieties that Margaret River is most famous for, and we produce two stunning examples of this wine at Passel Estate.
The vineyard was first planted in 1994 and comprised 1.5ha each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz at that time. Additional plantings of Shiraz (1.1ha) and Chardonnay (2.6ha) were later established. How is the vineyard doing as of today, do you have additional expansion plans?
When we acquired the property, there were well-established vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, which with the help of our very experienced viticulturist, Andy Ferreira, are now producing some of their finest fruit. We have since expanded the vineyard considerably, most recently with new plantings of Chardonnay. We have plans to plant another aromatic white grape in the near future and to produce a Crémant style sparkling to add to our range.
Highly experienced winemaker Bruce Dukes has been working closely with you and your husband. How strategic has been his contribution to Passel Estate over the past years?
Winemaker Bruce Dukes.
We approached Bruce to make our wines because of his stellar reputation as a world-class winemaker and our shared philosophy to produce the highest quality wines that respond to the specific grapes and conditions of each vintage. We have a lot of fun working with Bruce. It is a very collaborative relationship, but we will always follow his guidance on specific winemaking decisions to ensure we deliver on our promise to produce the most elegant and balanced wines possible that express the vineyard and Passel Estate’s unique place in the Margaret River region.
As part of your commitment to sustainable and ESG-focused viticulture, you have recently welcomed a flock of local sheep to graze in your vineyard during winter. Is this the first step into sustainable viticulture, are other actions and transformations planned?
Passel Estate vineyards with viticulturist Andy Ferreira.
Along with the ongoing care and preservation of large areas of native bushland on the property as part of our commitment to wildlife conservation at Passel Estate, we have followed sustainable viticulture practices from the very start and will shortly receive formal sustainability accreditation for our wines.
We welcome sheep from a neighbouring farm to our vineyard every winter for grazing. The sheep keep our vineyard tidy without the use of machinery and they improve the soil quality with their foraging and excrements as natural fertiliser! Sheep agistment at Passel Estate benefits the animal, the farmers, our vineyard and the environment.
We also have established beehives in the vineyard to help pollinate the vineyard cover crops and ensure a healthy and diverse vineyard ecosystem. The vineyard honey we hand collect is available to buy in the tasting room and all the proceeds go towards further conservation at the estate.
Our conservation efforts actually pre-date the launch of our wines and it is an important aspect of our sustainable vineyard operations. Passel Estate has been a sanctuary for endangered Western Ringtail Possums since we acquired the property, following a devastating bushfire in Margaret River which destroyed much of their habitat. We have continued to work with conservation groups to help Western Ringtail Possums ever since. We have installed soft release enclosures at the estate and the family (or passel) of possums we have rehabilitated through them are thriving. We are also seeing an increased abundance of wildlife, birds and frogs at the estate as we continue to nurture and enhance the natural bushland areas.
Do you welcome visitors and wine lovers at Passel Estate?
Nature & Wine Walk at Passel Estate.
Yes, we have a beautifully appointed tasting room, where we welcome visitors to taste our wines surrounded by views of our vineyard and bushland sanctuary. The tasting room is open daily, and we offer a range of guided tasting experiences, including a Nature & Wine Walk which involves a private tour of our bushland conservation sanctuary and a tasting in situ alongside the very vines that went into the wine.
With the arrival of spring in Margaret River, we have just relaunched our Wine Sunsets at Passel Estate, which is a lovely way to spend the evening during the warmer months. On request, guests enjoy an after-hours tasting on Friday or Saturday evening, followed by a glass of their favourite Passel Estate wine alongside a platter of local, artisanal cheese as the sun sets over the vines. Then as dusk falls, they depart with a complimentary bottle of Passel Estate wine and chocolate-encased bonbons designed to pair perfectly with it, to finish the evening at home.
Tasting in situ alongside the vines.
It is necessary to book our tasting experiences in advance (and very easy to do so via our website). A portion of the fee for all of our experiences goes directly to our conservation projects at the estate.
During quieter periods, visitors are also welcome to drop in to enjoy a glass of wine and a platter on the deck or a picnic blanket on the lawn.
Which wine from the estate would you pick for a more formal dinner composed of beef or wild game meat?
Passel Estate Lot 71 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
You could not go wrong with our Passel Estate Lot 71 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This special wine is only made in exceptional vintages in small quantities and is a stunning expression of Margaret River cabernet sauvignon. It is produced from a single block of our cabernet sauvignon fruit with extended maturation in fine French oak barriques, over half of which are new, followed by further maturation in bottle before it is released.
The soft velvety tannins of this wine, with its black fruit flavours and secondary notes of coffee and fig will pair perfectly with a tasty roast beef or wild game dish.
Which wine from the estate would you pick for a lighter lunch?
Passel Estate Sauvignon Blanc.
For a lighter lunch here in Singapore — I am thinking goats cheese salad and a light salmon or fish dish — the Passel Estate Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect choice. With its partial oak ferment, this sauvignon blanc has the complexity to balance with your lunch, yet the fresh citrus fruit flavours and vibrant acidity keep it appetising, light and delicious throughout the warm, tropical afternoon.
How do you view Margaret River wine lovers in Asia versus European or American regular wine drinkers? How do their taste or requests differ?
Our visitors from Singapore and Hong Kong are very knowledgeable about Margaret River and many have an excellent palate, with a preference for fuller bodied red wines and chardonnay; visitors from further afield are often less familiar with the region and frequently surprised by the exceptional quality and elegance of our wines. Few realise that Margaret River is the smallest major wine producing region in Australia, but accounts for the highest percentage of premium Australian wine made.
Where can our readers purchase wine from Passel Estate in Singapore? Any wine-focused ecommerce platform you would recommend?
Guided tasting at Passel Estate.
We have a wine club here in Singapore, which can be joined online. Interested buyers can also purchase our wines directly through our website.
Other stockists in Singapore include Le Rouge, The Cheese Shop and Surrey Hills Grocer, and we are privileged that our wines can also be found on the wine list at some of the leading restaurants in Singapore.
Your personal favourite memory of working together with your husband at Passel Estate?
Creating Passel Estate together, growing our wine business and taking care of our stunning property provides regular moments of joy for us. One of my personal favourite memories is of the evening we celebrated the launch of Passel Estate wines and officially opened the tasting room.
Wadandi cultural custodian, Josh Whiteland performed an incredible “Welcome to Country” ceremony to welcome us to the ancestral lands and we were blessed with a stunning sunset and dusk moon, surrounded by our friends and members of the local community who had helped make everything possible. It was the culmination of one long ambitious journey together and the start of a new one. As Barry said during the speeches that evening, “be careful about chasing your dreams, they have a way of leading to the next one, and the next one…”
The rejuvenation of F1 under a new leadership sets for a brighter future for the world’s most watched motorsports race.
By Joseph Low
Formula 1 (F1) has captured the hearts of many around the world for generations since its inaugural race in 1950 at Silverstone, England. The races through the years represented the pinnacle of motorsports and the pursuit of excellence. Its heritage is closely associated with the idea of freedom, which is a tenet cherished by the West and an aspiration for better days post-World War II.
Back in the days, Europe was still reeling from the war’s aftermath and car racing provided that pump of adrenaline for people. For the first Grand Prix, circuits from seven countries were used: Britain, Monaco, America, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy. As we move into more recent times, each season will feature 23 races. The promotion of F1 to the masses falls under the purview of the Formula One Group, founded by Bernie Ecclestone in the 1970s. In 2017, the group was acquired by US media house Liberty Media for an estimated sum of US$8 billion including debt.
Bernie Ecclestone
While motorsports flourished under the wings of Ecclestone, the “F1 Supremo” was stuck in the old ways of how it ran the business. Many would agree that the business model was outdated despite the tremendous potential that could be explored. For the most part, F1 was like a crowned jewel that was guarded against prying eyes. The reach of what goes behind the scenes of racing became severely limited and fans were restricted to watching live broadcasts of the race on TV and following international news outlets.
A quote from Ecclestone aptly summarises his philosophy of running the Formula One Group: “Most of these kids haven’t got any money. I’d rather get to the 70-year-old guy who’s got plenty of cash… I’m not interested in tweeting, Facebook and whatever this nonsense is.”
Before the takeover by Liberty Media, Ecclestone ran the group like an old man’s club that was not performing well financially because of the many missed opportunities. Already boasting a staggering 400 million global viewers, F1 races are among some of the most popular sporting organisations like the FIFA World Cup and Tour de France. In America, TV audience surged “by 40 per cent since NBC Sports took over the domestic broadcast rights in 2013” as The New York Times reported. What this means for Formula One Group’s new owners is an untapped market and its owners, led by CEO of Liberty Media Gregory Maffei are looking to break into it.
Gregory Maffei
So far, the group has made good progress as it had brought in revenue of US$2.1 billion last year in 2021 and its operating income stands at US$92 million. On average, each race brings in about US$4 million for the group and the figures are likely to rise in the future. Alongside the financial figures, it is noted that physical attendance at the Grand Prix also increased over the years. This year alone saw the Australia Grand Prix in Melbourne set a new attendance record of 420,000, which eclipsed the previous high of about 400,000 in 1996.
Much research was also done following the acquisition and with the data collected, the team identified areas where the group can leverage and expand on to grow its fan base further. Under its past management, the presence of F1 was confined to TV and press coverage, but the ubiquitousness of social media has altered the relationship between motorsports and their fans. More engagement can be created online through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, which in turn means another potential revenue stream for the group.
Zeroing on this capability for scaling, more attention has been paid to growing the brand’s online presence. Last year, F1 amassed 41.9 million followers across its social media platforms. The growth is among the fastest in the sporting category. Another interesting point that was raised is the average age of its fan, which has been lowered from 36 to 32. The next generation of spenders will come from the burgeoning group of Millennials and Gen Zs, and cultivating a relationship with this group would only serve to the benefit of the organisation in the future.
Another move towards making F1 more appealing to a wider audience is the announcement of Crypto.com as the global partner of the Grand Prix, sponsoring the different races worldwide. This enables F1 to be firmly planted in current conversations and be top of mind for many and its close association with the current times. Not forgetting its core fans, extra content, like stats and insights, is put out so that they can also tune in to the event’s happenings but with more in-depth coverage.
In tandem with the growth of cryptocurrency is a slew of other movements like the increased emphasis on sustainability. On this topic, F1 has announced it is working to develop a 100 per cent sustainable fuel, which will be used in F1 cars from 2026. This is in line with the global shift towards next-generation hybrid engines and the drop in fossil fuel consumption in many countries. In a similar vein, to tackle issues about sustainability, F1 introduced a new race category called “Formula E”. But the question remains about how feasible Formula E is and how it fits in the overall portfolio of F1.
What does the future of F1 look like? The answer to this question can be gleaned from how its owners lead the brand. With an extensive background in entertainment, one can expect F1 to follow closely how the other subsidiaries under Liberty Media are. Content is king and a rejuvenated F1 will definitely be the shining star that motorsports fans can look forward to when it comes to content on car racing. The future of F1 has just begun, so get ready for a ride of a lifetime.
Counterpart is both a sculpture and a bench. And no matter how you look at it, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Designed for a prestigious commission, this iconic work by the British artist Tom Price has since inspired a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces that lie somewhere between art and design.
By Joseph Low
Tom Price with one of his most recent works, Synthesis L4 (2021, mural and light sculpture)
Tom Price has been centring his creative practice around materials since his studies at the prestigious Royal College of Art, which was under the direction of Ron Arad at the time. He works with all kinds of materials, from the most conventional to the totally novel, and brings the passion of a veritable alchemist to his experimentation. “Presence & Absence,” his 2014 solo exhibition at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, brought his boldness and virtuosity in this field to public attention. In the exhibition, he presented a series of human figures, cast in coal, in various stages of decomposition. “I started working with coal when I became fascinated with the ash-encrusted body casts of victims of the volcanic eruption in Pompeii. I wanted to create something in response to a phrase I heard about people from Herculaneum (a town closer in proximity to the volcano) being ‘instantly carbonized’ by the intense heat.”
Two works from the series “The Presence of Absence,” exhibited at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City in 2014.
He is also interested in resin, particularly in its interaction with tar: “The two couldn’t be much more opposite in appearance. But when they’re combined, they produce something quite magical.” A commission from Chatsworth House provided the opportunity to combine these experiments to create one piece, which has come to represent his work as a whole.
Chatsworth House, in England, is home to a remarkable art collection amassed by the Dukes of Devonshire over sixteen generations. In 2015, the estate held an exhibition of contemporary seating under the title “Make Yourself Comfortable,” featuring iconic pieces by the likes of Marc Newson, Maarten Baas, and Johnny Swing. Seeking to highlight the most experimental approaches, curator Hannah Obee commissioned works for the occasion from several artists, all inspired by the site’s history and its collections. Tom Price, one of the commissioned artists, recalls that “there was a very simple brief. Basically, come to visit Chatsworth House and find something that in some way will inspire the design and creation of seating.”
Counterpart, by Tom Price. Image: Chatsworth House Trust
He designed two benches with identical measurements: simple blocks with minimalist lines, each 2.2 metres in length. The connection with Chatsworth House lies in the choice of materials. One of the benches is made of coal, referencing the coal mines once owned by the family; the second, made of crystalline light-reflecting resin, pays tribute to the mineral collection started by Duchess Georgiana in the eighteenth century.
The dark, matte surface of coal is in dialogue here with the transparency of resin, which appears to glow thanks to a built-in lighting system. This radiant effect spectacularly showcases the jade, turquoise, and gold hues produced by the unusual pairing of resin and tar.
The work’s title, Counterpart clearly refers to the dialogue created when these two blocks are placed side by side. However, the artist also sees a connection between his work and the beauty of the pedestals on which he has viewed classical statues: “It was also intended as an homage to the humble plinth, which I saw as the counterpart to the sculptures they supported. When viewed in isolation, the blocks take on the role of protagonist and demand attention, but as soon as they are sat on, they become functional and assume a supporting role to the person who is sitting on them.”
Counterpart II, by Tom Price. Image: Javi de Esteban
Counterpart provides an ideal illustration of Tom Price’s artistic approach, which can be likened to that of a scientist who experiments, observes, and makes research progress by learning from his failures. Each piece is also a testament to his unique ability to design works that captivate the viewer with the simplicity of their line, their minimalistic elegance, and their hybrid nature as artworks and functional pieces, depending on the way spectators choose to interact with them.
New Trends in Perfumery Reveal a New Age of Parfum d’Exception
SHARE
“Parfum d’exception” is a highly dynamic segment of perfumery that is typified by an emphasis on the signature, the bespoke, the artisanal and the exclusive.
By Johanna Monange
Image: Maison 21G
Enriched by centuries of artistry and expertise, the world of perfumery is one immersed in secrecy, tradition and artisanal values. For those who love fine fragrances, discovering a perfume that speaks to your soul is a precious moment — such scents become extensions of the personality, capable of communicating so much about the wearer in myriad subtle and multisensory ways.
Despite its closely guarded heritage and illusions of old-fashioned luxury values, perfumery is subject to the same whims of fashion, changing trends and evolving landscape as any other industry. However, the past few years have seen perfumery trends transforming the scene like never before, with consumers worldwide driving forward new concepts which have been heard loud and clear by the world’s biggest fragrance brands, as well as a number of smaller boutique producers keen to ride the winds of change.
Maison 21G, the Parisian house of bespoke Haute couture perfumery, has built a unique business model upon this changing landscape. Reflecting profound new ideas of what the perfume industry should be for a new generation, it’s a fascinating time to explore the latest trends in the world of scent, and consider what they tell us about the demands and expectations of an awakened audience; those who are seeking more from their beloved brands.
Be bold and get inspired by the latest trends to make your own exclusive scent.
According to Maison 21G founder and visionary scent designer Johanna Monange, the perfume industry — while still imbued in the time-honoured values of luxury, opulence and sophistication — is rapidly embracing trends which put the individual and experience first.
She claims this is best exemplified by the rise of “Parfum d’Exception” — a highly dynamic segment of perfumery that is typified by an emphasis on the signature, the bespoke, the artisanal and the exclusive. Simply put, today’s savvy perfume consumers are increasingly disillusioned by the off-the-shelf brands created with mass appeal in mind. More so than ever before, individuals wish to purchase scents with a niche appeal, made from rare and precious ingredients in smaller or limited quantities.
The evidence for this sea of change in perfumery is everywhere. The world’s biggest perfume groups have invested considerably into acquiring or creating haute perfumery brands, formulating unique exclusive collections under labels designed to appeal to more selective audiences.
From Puig’s acquisition of Penhaligon’s, and more recently Byredo, to LVMH with Maison Francis Kurdjan, and from Manzanita Capital’s success with Diptyque to Estee Lauder with Tom Ford, Le Labo and Frederic Malle, the rise in these boutique labels and their rapidly-ascending popularity is far from insignificant. It speaks strongly of a new generation of perfume fans looking to make their mark via the scents they choose, and a willingness to develop their own individual “scent wardrobes” to reflect their changing moods, different sides of themselves, the exploration of new ingredients, and their attraction to the unique and experiential.
Storytelling Through Scent
It’s increasingly well-understood that millennial and Gen Z consumers value authenticity, sustainability and experience above all things, and this enthusiasm for unique ingredients, craftsmanship and personalisation informs so much of their consumer choices.
Perfumery has the power to weave stories through scent, revealing facets of personality and communicating moods, as well as showcasing the unique aspects of one’s individual tastes. More so than ever, consumers in the 21st century are selecting their perfumes based upon these criteria — seeking out fragrances that enhance aspects of themselves, mark them out from the crowd, and unveil their true spirits in ways that mass-produced, common denominator-baiting releases could never possibly achieve.
In many ways, this is perhaps the most significant of all the current perfumery trends across the globe today. Bringing experiential consumerism into the world of scent — either through selecting from limited-edition releases, artisan-made fragrances, or creating signature scents at personalised perfumery houses like Maison 21G — is separating millennial and Gen Z audiences from those who came before.
It also goes to explain how and why consumers today are selecting scents made from different — often unusual and rare — ingredients than those which came before. Market analysts in the world of perfume have noticed a significant uptick in the popularity of perfumes made to express the true nature of exotic woods (such as cedar, oud, vetiver and sandalwood), deeply sensual and mystical ingredients including incense, cannabis, myhrre and amber, and new floral notes such as osmanthus, frangipani or gardenia which have moved out of the niche and more into the public consciousness.
Goodbye, Gender Separation
It’s impossible to ignore or overlook the significance of the shift in attitudes towards gender, identity and sexuality in the 21st century — a revolution in self-expression is underway like never before, and it’s rapidly changing the perfumery landscape and the scents new audiences are drawn to.
Simply put, for a sizeable proportion of millennial and gen Z consumers, the gender separation in perfumery (the classic Pour Femme and Pour Homme divide) is obsolete. As in the world of fashion, boutique and bespoke perfumes have rid themselves of gendered divides, celebrating more gender-neutral and versatile ingredients beloved by every and all genders, as found at Maison21G with their innovative gender-fluid scent bar.
These are centred around aquatic and fluid, natural citrus green notes, sensual and florals that revel in sexual dynamism, exotic woods, intensely leathery or resinous ambery notes. Prized for their flexibility and capable of bringing out fascinating facets of men and women wearers alike, it’s an exciting time for so many precious ingredients to shine like never before.
The Asian Powerhouse of Change
Asian perfumery has a long and proud history, with artisans in China pioneering the use of countless ingredients throughout the ages that still form a cornerstone of fragrance today.
In the 21st century, Asian olfactive trends continue to play a key role in the way perfumery is changing worldwide, and the Chinese market, in particular, has awakened to a new age of scent… with bespoke, exclusive and unique ingredients taking centre stage.
The types of ingredients currently being selected by sophisticated consumers in China have revealed a fascinating — and trendsetting — insight into current perfumery trends in Asia. Chinese perfume fans are opting for perfumes that exude plenty of purity (typified by essences including vibrant citrus notes as well as ozonic characteristics, tea inflections, fluid floral extracts of gardenia, orris, muguet and white musk, and marine notes with plenty of minerality), simple natural characteristics of rose, peony and vegetal flourishes, and smoky and creamy woods and spices.
There are plenty of emerging notes coming to the foreground in contemporary Chinese perfumery too, signalling an innovative approach that sets these scents apart from the norm. Addictive new fragrances featuring notes of pine, fruits such as watermelon and peach, Cognac and other spirits, inky inflections, forest fragrances and soya are all becoming part of the modern Chinese perfumery palette.
A Sustainable Model for a Brighter Future
The other identifiable trend in contemporary perfumery? Sustainability, and perfume with a clearer conscience.
Today’s consumers are more aware than any that have come before when it comes to ecological issues, reducing one’s footprint, and selecting brands based upon their sustainable credentials. It’s a factor that many of the larger brands — so set in their ways, and with systems in place designed to cut corners, reduce costs, and mass produce — are struggling to keep up with.
Smaller boutique brands, on the other hand, have leapt at the opportunity to reshape their industry with transparency and sustainability at their core. From insisting on recyclable and reusable packaging and bottles, to setting up ethical supply chains with trusted producers of perfumery ingredients, these factors are far more than gestures or the adoption of a trend: they’re a new model for a brighter, cleaner and safer perfumery scene, protecting its most precious assets for the generations to come. This is the new vision of perfumery that Maison 21G has fought for since its first day of creation.
Hand in hand with this commitment to sustainability is a dedication to producing “cleaner” perfumes, too. Maison 21G, which is pioneering in its promise of CMR-free, phthalates-free, preservative-free, vegan and cruelty-free perfumes, are being enthusiastically embraced by a new generation of fragrance fans. It’s a key crossover point between the worlds of scent and wellness — consumers today demand the highest quality from their chosen brands, and a significant aspect of this comes down to feeling their safety and wellbeing is at the heart of a perfume brand’s promise.
New Trends Create New Futures
Trends — in the world of perfumery, as well as in all other industries — have a tendency to come and go. However, when a trend is based upon a greater good rather than on the frivolities, it has the power to transform industries and mindsets, forming a new world in its image.
By breaking down barriers that divide genders, by championing individuality and expression, and by insisting on safer, more sustainable practices and standards for quality and ecology, the nature of Parfum d’Exception signals a brighter perfumery industry for all.
The future isn’t just golden… It boasts the sweet scent of liberation and self-expression.
To get the latest updates on Maison 21G, do follow the Instagram @maison21g or Tiktok @maison21gparis.
Amber Lounge, the World’s Most Luxurious Formula 1 After-party Returns to Singapore
SHARE
Happening between 1 and 2 October, Singapore’s nightlife revs back to life in an exclusive party along Fullerton Heritage precinct.
By Joseph Low
Image: Amber Lounge
With the return of the high-anticipated Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix comes the world’s most exclusive after-party, Amber Lounge, which will take centre stage during the racing weekend of 1 and 2 October. This extravagant affair will see world-class acts taking the helm alongside free-flowing champagne and cocktails by award-winning bartenders. There will also be brand new ultra-exclusive suit concepts that will ensure an unforgettable experience.
The luxuriant post-race event will be held within the Fullerton Heritage precinct at The Clifford Pier in Fullerton Bay Hotel. Asides from enjoying the international entertainment, guests will be treated to panoramic views of the iconic Marina Bay. Undoubtedly, the sights and sounds of the evening’s extravaganza make it the perfect opportunity to welcome back Singapore’s nightlife.
The stellar line-up for the night includes acclaimed DJ and electronic music producer Oliver Heldens, who will be helming the decks on opening night. Dubbed as the “pioneer of the future house genre”, the 27-year-old Dutch artiste has performed at international music festivals like Ultra Music Festival, Coachella, EDC, and Lollapalooza. He is currently ranked as the World’s No. 8 DJ for the second year running.
On the second night, Swedish singer-songwriter John Martin will headline the after-party at Amber Lounge. Martin is best known for his collaboration with Swedish House Mafia and was the lead vocalist for the group’s chart toppers like “Don’t You Worry Child” and “Save The World”. Joining him is music partner Michel Zitron, a renowned record producer featured on club hits like Tiesto’s “Red Lights”. Fatman Scoop, the American rapper and DJ who has collaborated with names like Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Pitbull and Whitney Houston will also be performing.
An Amber Lounge experience will not be complete without exclusivity, and for this year’s edition, the brand is debuting its latest suit concepts to elevate the table packages further. According to the brand, the two additions are: Noir Suite and Amber Suites. “Each Suite comprises semi-private architectural alcoves within the venue, offering prime views of performances and unlimited table service with flowing Perrier Jouet champagne and Belvedere vodka, along with special presentations of Royal Salute whisky 21, Codigo 1530’s newly launched Sherry Cask Anejo tequila, The Orientalist’s Gunpowder Gin and exquisite Nomad Caviar,” the Amber Lounge boasts. For the Noir Suite and its bespoke offerings, only one such suite is available per night and its price tag starts from S$100,000.
Apart from the spread of alcohol, delectable treats from Meathsmith and Burnt Ends Bakery can be purchased throughout the night along with custom labelled Kaluga hybrid caviar from Nomad Caviar.
Image: Amber Lounge
The fun doesn’t just stop on land, but it continues along Singapore’s mesmerising coastline as Amber Lounge will be offering a by-invitation-only VIP yachting experience to its most esteemed guests. Onboarding the 80ft Princess Yacht in collaboration with its luxury yacht partner Boat Lagoon Yachting, guests can enjoy a sunset cruise with specially curated entertainment and refreshments as they sail down the waterfront.
Speaking more about the return of Amber Lounge to Singapore, Jeannette Tan, Managing Director of Amber Lounge Group, said: “There’s a reason why Amber Lounge has always been the highlight of the Grand Prix calendar, as it’s seen as the post-race home to Formula 1 drivers from hosting Fernando Alonso’s farewell festivities upon his retirement in 2018 to Nico Rosberg celebrating his season win in 2016 at Amber Lounge in Abu Dhabi.”
From the left: Cher Ng, Group CEO of Amber Lounge, Jeannette Tan, Managing Director of Amber Lounge and Patrick Grove, Chairman of Amber Lounge.
“This year in Singapore we are excited for our guests to fully experience our bold new creative direction and immersive entertainment performances featuring global talents as we launch and showcase our revamped concept for Amber Lounge,” she added.
The Macallan and Bentley Debut the Macallan Horizon
SHARE
Set for a global release in summer 2023, the bottle features a unique design that blends the heritage of The Macallan and Bentley Motors.
By Joseph Low
First announced in July 2021, the global partnership between The Macallan and Bentley Motors will see both historic brands develop products that are an amalgamation of their combined heritage. Focusing on the shared values of innovation, craftsmanship, and creativity, a prototype of this collaboration has been revealed and it is the Macallan Horizon.
The limited edition whisky sports a unique design with no standing base, which is a nod to the horizontal trajectory of the automotive world. Furthermore, the case features a 180-degree twist and represents the “mastery of space and time achieved by The Macallan and Bentley Motors”, as mentioned in the press release.
Besides its distinct outlook, the Macallan Horizon is also a homage to the distillery’s Six Pillars. These are the foundation stones of the brand that account for its exceptionality. The newly unveiled prototype is crafted from “six unique upcycled, repurposed or ethically sourced materials” and is integral to both brands.
Among the materials include recycled copper from the disused curiously small spirit stills that were part of The Macallan’s former distillery; aluminium recovered from the British marque’s manufacturing process; recycled wood; recyclable glass and locally sourced carbon neutral leather, also used in the Bentley Mulliner grand tourer that was released earlier.
Lastly, the Macallan Horizon is not complete without its whisky content. For this special collaboration, The Macallan Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell created a flavour profile reminiscent of her visit to Bentley Motors in Crewe. It was at the marque’s home ground that she got a glimpse of the shared passion for creativity, craftsmanship and innovation.
Speaking about the Macallan Horizon, Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan, comments: “Our collaboration with Bentley Motors and the knowledge exchange we have undertaken as a result has inspired us to see things very differently. In the spirits world, everything is upright, such as our stills and our bottles. When we looked at the horizontal direction pursued by Bentley Motors as part of the automotive industry, it made us consider if and how we could adapt this format for whisky, which ultimately requires to be poured.”
Chris Cooke, Bentley’s Product and Lifestyle Design Manager, further adds: “Our prototype for The Macallan Horizon is truly pioneering in both its design and use of materials. It’s a fusion of the sharply defined yet curvaceous Bentley design DNA, The Macallan’s innovation and recycled materials from both iconic British brands. The form of the design has allowed us to almost treat light as another material in itself, and the interplay between light and the wood, aluminium and copper materials is extraordinary. In being both an object of beauty in itself and demonstrating such innovation, it’s a representation of what’s coming next from our partnership.”
Information regarding pricing and availability of The Macallan Horizon single malt whisky will be shared closer to its release on themacallan.com and bentleymotors.com.
Introducing the TAG Heuer Monaco Special Edition, which is billed as the ultimate version of a certain vintage model.
By Ashok Soman
Sometimes, a watch comes along that we are hungry to write about. It does not happen often, but it did happen here for our cover story. The TAG Heuer Monaco is an icon, and it represents an important part of what we love about watches. We could even write the story without a new watch to reference, which thankfully we did not have to do. To understand this, it helps to consider the reality of the Monaco Special Edition here. The case is hardly new and neither is the automatic Heuer 02 movement. By any measure, it is an evolution, not a revolution. By way of contrast, when the Monaco debuted, it was truly revolutionary. But you can discover more about that in the cover story. Here, we sing the praises of this particular model, and the details that make it a handsome piece.
To begin with, we reiterate that this watch is based off the famous Dark Lord model of 1975, but it is not a reissue or even a real tribute. Instead, it is more of a riff on the look. In terms of size and shape, it is no different to the other Monaco offerings, being a square 39mm watch. Where the watch makes its mark is in its sandblasted DLC titanium grade two material, and highly unusual two-tone black-on-black dial (circular brushed within the minute track, and highly grained around the hour markers). These markers themselves are rose gold plated, matching the hour, minute and small second hands (with white SuperLuminova on the hour and minute hands). The effect is striking in pictures, which we hope to convince you of with our own photographic evidence as well as the stock press images.
In the metal, the effect is even more impressive, with the grained elements standing out. You might gaze upon it and feel that it reminds you of a racetrack, or of racing tyres — the press release mentions these exact examples, yet we thought of them independently after our shoot with the watches. Perhaps we are on the same wavelength as the communications team at TAG Heuer, or there is something organic to this description.
This wealth of visual cues might sound overwhelming, and we have not even mentioned the chronograph hands and the subdials. The Monaco has a proven track record of making such aesthetic touches work, and the Monaco Special Edition is no exception. On that note, the crown and chronograph pushers are also in the same grade 2 DLC titanium. The black alligator strap also sports a folding clasp in the same material, also with DLC. Incidentally, besides adding a degree of surface hardness, DLC has the more practical benefit of making surfaces resistant to visible fingerprint stains. We have tested this out many times and it seems to work as advertised, though it is not 100 per cent effective; TAG Heuer does not make this claim in the press materials.
A specific claim worth looking into is that this is only the second Monaco to be cased in titanium, after the Titan Limited Edition last year. It follows then that this is the first time the Monaco has been cased in DLC treated titanium. This Special Edition, which we like to call the Dark Sun, is only available at TAG Heuer boutiques and online.
From awe-inspiring natural sights to shimmering coastlines, Select Sicily Villas will ensure the best holiday accommodation in Italy’s coastal region.
By Jessica Maggi
What could be more glitzy than a sun-splashed getaway to Sicily? Everything about this sunny, tri-cornered island off the toe of Italy’s boot exudes glamour – from its awe-inspiring natural sights to its shimmering coastline, picturesque seafront towns, and Blue Flag beaches lapped by the cobalt-blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
After a bruising two years and the Covid-stricken summers of 2020 and 2021, we all deserve a holiday. The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is blessed with an abundance of riches, and should definitely be on your travel list. This sun-kissed southern Italian island’s astonishing history, easygoing charm, flavorsome cuisine, and over-the-top accommodation options have made it synonymous with luxury escapes.
Here are the best Sicilian destinations for a luxurious and relaxing break in the sun. Select Sicily Villas, one of the island’s leading and most exclusive vacation rental companies, will make sure you find the best accommodation.
South-Eastern Sicily – Noto
For a sun-splashed getaway with a little bit of everything that makes luxury holidays in Sicily so enticing – culture, great food, seaside relaxation, and postcard-worthy beaches – you really can’t beat Noto, the honey-colored limestone capital of Sicilian Baroque. One of Italy’s finest gems, Noto is an eighteenth-century Baroque masterpiece of town planning, just waiting to be explored.
So why not rent a super-luxe villa in the surrounding area? The epitome of high-class luxury, Villa Orizzonte is a contemporary-design luxury retreat with perfectly-manicured gardens, satellite TV, and its own private 60-foot stone swimming pool offering to-die-for views while lounging poolside.
Sleeping up to eight people, this panoramically positioned, next-level villa to rent in Noto is ideal for a group of friends and family willing to spend quality time together away from the crowds.
North-Eastern Sicily – Taormina
It’s impossible to talk about luxury holidays in Sicily without mentioning the glamorous hilltop town of Taormina, nicknamed the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. This bijou town perched dramatically on a slope high above the shore has been luring royals, intellectuals, and big-name travelers since the days of the eighteenth-century Grand Tour, from Ernest Hemingway, Goethe, and D. H. Lawrence, to Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, to name just a few.
Taormina’s third century B.C. Greco-Roman open-air amphitheater is still used today as a venue for classical operas, concerts, and theatrical events. Stars who have played here include Bruce Springsteen, Kasabian, and Sting.
Not surprisingly, Taormina is still a favorite with the rich and famous, and draws a number of celebrities, A-listers, and business elite who are seeking the best of the best. For lodging in this area, check out Villa Mazzarò, an ultra-luxe cliff-side villa with panoramic jacuzzi, offering pretty much everything one could wish for in a summer house, from no less than eight bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, to an inviting 32-foot long swimming pool, super-fast Wi-Fi, and a barbecue pit for BBQ parties.
North-Western Sicily – Scopello
You may get a feeling of déjà vu, as Scopello’s bay, on Sicily’s north-western coast, happens to be one of the most photographed beaches in the whole of the Mediterranean, and even appeared in a number of Hollywood movies and TV series, including Ocean’s Twelve with George Clooney and Brad Pitt, and the hit Sicilian detective series Inspector Montalbano.
An easy drive west of Palermo, Scopello is a great place to soak in traditional Sicilian culture while marveling at the huge faraglioni rock formations that rise out of the Mediterranean Sea. With old warehouses and fishermen’s cottages round a little cove hugged by steep-sided cliffs topped with a medieval tower, the ancient, cappuccino-colored tuna processing plant in Scopello is one of the most photogenic locations in Europe. It’s not hard to work out why this tiny coastal hamlet in the province of Trapani has long been popular with film directors, and magazine photographers.
Located in Scopello, Bay Viewis an architect-designed, two-bedroom villa boasting on-point interior décor, modern comforts, state-of-the-art amenities, and a stunning infinity pool with the most breath-taking views. Check it out!
South-Western Sicily – Menfi
About an hour’s drive southwest of Palermo, the historic wine town of Menfishould definitely be at the top of your bucket list. Don’t let its size deter you! Myriad activities await. The exquisite, quaint town of Menfi offers plenty of activities suitable for high-end travelers, from wine-tasting, windsurfing, and cycling through spectacular nature, to scuba diving, kitesurfing, and snorkeling in clear waters filled with a wealth of marine life. The possibilities are endless.
Now you want to know about the best luxury villas in south-western Sicily with private swimming pool, right? For affluent holidaymakers who want a quiet, private hideaway in the heart of western Sicily’s unspoiled coastal landscape, Essence is the perfect luxury retreat to enjoy an unforgettable vacation. Luxury knows no bounds at this top-of-the-range modernist villa sitting on a panoramic, olive-tree-strewn hill looking out to sea over the luscious vineyards of world-famed winemaker Planeta.
South-Eastern Sicily – Siracusa
Nearly as prestigious as Athens, Corinth, and Carthage when it was a Magna Graecia colony, the ancient coastal city of Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian) is a true gem on the south-eastern coast of Sicily, now listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The little adjoining island of Ortygia is where most of the historical sites are located, including fabulous Baroque buildings, a medieval fortress, and a couple of splendid Greek Doric temples.
One of the most requested rental properties in this part of the island is Prestige, listed in Select Sicily’s ever-growing portfolio of deluxe villas. This exclusive property offers the privacy, space and comfort of a private home paired with top-notch amenities, enticing views, and direct, private access to the transparent waters of the Ionian Sea. Pool dwellers, foodies, and sea-lovers alike will find plenty to treat themselves to, whether that’s lounging by the pool with one of Andrea Camilleri’s books, sipping on some local wine as the sun sets, or swimming in crystal-clear, glittering blue waters before a dinner of freshly caught fish.
Planning your next glamorous getaway? As you can see, renting a super-luxe sea-view villa is the way to go. All of the properties mentioned are available to rent through Select Sicily , a luxury vacation rental company dedicated to providing top quality accommodation in sunny Sicily. For more information and reservations, please visit the company’s website Selectsicilyvillas.com.
Image: The Whisky Store
Image: The Whisky Store
