The Singapore Flyer which opened early this year is the highest fairy wheel on earth.
The Power of Terroir
Terroir, a term coined by the French, is arguably the most powerful word in wine. A French oenologist once said: "Terroir is a French term that baffles anyone who is into wine!" Many winemakers consider good terroir the most vital element in making good wine. In the east, we may not have Terroir butwe have Fengshui.
Understanding Fengshui will certainly help us in understanding Terroir. On the Flyer, one can see how the landscape of this modern city state is so influenced by the power of Fengshui. One good example is The Merlion, the symbol of Singapore. It has been shifted to where it is now so that it may help guard the Singapore River, the life-line of Singapore. Today, the river quays are full of buzz and are touted as the best Terroirs for wine business.
Many such stories of Terroir will unfold as we ride 360 degrees on the Flyer. The Fengshui of the east will baffle any French oenologist!
The Senses of the Mind
Riding on the Flyer is like sipping a glass of wine. Your mind is never stopped from being challenged. Each sip of wine almost always brings to the drinker a different sensory experience. You will pick up nuances in aromas and textures as the wine evolves on your palate. On the Flyer, you will experience a similar moving experience at every turn.
As the height changes, as the view changes, as with drinking wine, your senses are challenged constantly. You will experience different enjoyments, different feelings and different excitements. The revolutionary ladder truss rim of the Flyer makes the structure appear to be floating in mid air. For those who have had a glass of wine before, the ride on the Flyer will evoke a sense of lingering joy similar to the mesmerizing aftertaste of a good wine.
The Future of Wine Business
The ride on the Flyer is like a journey through the story of wine. You will see the wine culture of the past, present and future all on one ride. The beautifully lighted façade of the Raffles Hotel reminds us of how wines are traditionally drunk in high-end hotels, at social functions and at wine & dine functions.
The bustling waterfront activities show that alfresco dining, wine bars by the quays are the norms of the day. The busy construction of Marina Sands, Singapore's first casino and integrated resort and planned construction of giant trees at the bay point to us that wine drinking will be taken to an exhilarating height in the future.
In short, wine drinking is nothing more than having a nice experience, the definition of which changes over time.
Malcolm Tham
Those registering for the Wine Importer Course through Indian Wine Academy will be entitled to a free ride on the world's largest observation wheel. Malcolm Tham is a wine consultant and owns Wine Resources. He is the
Programme Director for the Course and Wine for Asia. Write for details |