Pérgula Restaurant, at Copacabana Palace, presents Provence Brunch with the famous rosé wine Whispering Angel
On January 19th, another edition of the “Provence Brunch” will take place at the Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, which will feature the delicious Whispering Angel rosé wine, considered one of the world’s leading names in Provence rosés.
For the occasion, the buffet menu features several exclusive options prepared by Sol Nunes, chef at the Pérgula restaurant. In addition to gastronomic creations, the event will also feature pleasant live music.
STATION ROAD INTRODUCES APERO TIME ON FRIDAYS FROM JANUARY
Provence rose and retro DJ mixers are guiding restaurant Station Road’s new Friday offering, allowing for a relaxed vibe to start the weekend in style.
Adelaide’s hottest new venue, located at Festival Plaza, welcomes _Apero Time with Whispering Angel and Condesa_ from Friday, 10th of January 2025. Inspired by all things European and chic, these Friday knockoffs will elevate the city’s alfresco scene to new heights.
“With a top-notch cocktail offering and snacks menu we look forward to welcoming guests solely looking to enjoy a couple of drinks after work or prior to their dinner plans” says Mathieu Smeysters, Station Road Co-owner.
Station Road’s extensive wine list is available during _Apero Time with Whispering Angel and Condesa_ from 3pm to 6pm, but there will be a focus on Whispering Angel’s rose from France’s Provence region. For $16/glass or $70/bottle, the premium drop offers a full profile – bone-dry with a smooth finish.
Already Station Road has gained a solid reputation for its unwavering commitment to showcasing a range of global wine varietals. Those on offer range from the traditional to the obscure, where Station Road uses a Coravin system so diners can try hard-to-find wines without the need to purchase an entire bottle.
The cocktail menu, curated by Bar Manager Saskia Lopes De Souza, ranges from classic concoctions like margaritas and the Sazerac (featuring absinthe wash), to house specialties. Give Me Clarity is Station Road’s take on the Bloody Mary, a clarified mix of vodka, tomato, celery, umami and citrus. Sitting at the Station is their tribute to Adelaide Railway Station next door, featuring Los Arcos Blanca tequila, passionfruit, crème de Cassis, lime and ginger ale.
Accompanying drinks is a carefully curated snacks menu, which features a mushroom and gruyere tart with pickled jalapeno, duck liver parfait with almond and sauternes, and a slow cooked hen’s egg with Leatherwood honey and smoked cream.
Relaxed, casual beats for _Apero Time with Whispering Angel and Condesa_ will be produced by an everchanging list of local DJ’s, on hand to create a Euro-inspired mood as merrymakers indulge. The DJ will use of a Condesa audio mixer, used by DJs globally and created by South Australian Mehdi El-Aquil since 2012. The mixers all feature Australian-sourced wood, either using Australian Blackwood or Tasmanian Oak. They are highly regarded for providing a full, rich sound to music and known for their ergonomical layout.
Apero Time with Whispering Angel and Condesa launches Friday, 10th of January 2025 at 3pm, at Station Road.
2023 will go down in Provence rosé history as the vintage when all three ‘Château d’Esclans’ wines hit the high notes simultaneously. The trio of 2023s will be released in February 2025 and I was privileged to taste them with Sacha Lichine in London in November and it further underlined that these are genuinely authentic fine wines that stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s top sparklers, whites and reds.
Garrus has long been the finest rosé on the planet, and I find so much to admire in this wine, it is incredible.
2023 Château d’Esclans Garrus Rosé is firm, bright, crystalline and refined with blonde oak and almond highlights and a level of composure usually only found in graceful Grand Cru Burgundies. Precision cut, reserved and reluctant to show its full hand this early in its development, this is another cosmic performance from this trail-blazing wine.
My headliner, Les Clans, shows another level of elegance, coupled with lip-smacking precocity, so while Garrus is one for the cellar, Les Clans is ready to romance from the moment it is released. Near perfect in weight, timbre and balance, this is a glorious wine, and it can perform every duty from complex canapés to main course feasts! Where Garrus slows the conversation down so one can fully appreciate the constellation of flavours present, Les Clans skips along merrily, making it the definitive ‘rich person’s fast wine’. If you were left to your own devices, I could see
Les Clans disappearing at an impressive rate of knots without ever tiring the taste buds or becoming repetitive.
Finally, it is extremely exciting to announce that the estate wine, 2023 Château d’Esclans Rosé, has finally, and it has been a bit of a wait, joined its fellows at the top of the tree. For as long as I can remember, this cuvée has been meandering around searching for a purpose, while Whispering Angel and Rock Angel bookended the portfolio at the commercial end and Les Clans and Garrus soared around the stratosphere. In 2023, there is so much gravitas and purity it has gone from also-ran to catwalk-ready in one fell swoop. I would go so far as to say the silhouette of this wine is more Puligny-like than many Pulignys! This is easily the most exciting estate Esclans to date, and it is fabulously open and vibrant with skipping stone flavours and lashings of joie de vivre. What a trio!
All Roads Lead to Rome: Registration Now Open for the Inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma
Rome, Italy, Dec. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anantara Concorso Roma, the new collector car exhibition by Anantara Hotels & Resorts, is gearing up for its glamorous debut on April 24 -27, 2025.
This exclusive event, which is sponsored by UBS, will take place in the heart of Rome and is now open for registration. Car enthusiasts are also welcome to join the party without a car and join in the packed weekend program celebrating the best of Italian hospitality, cuisine and craftsmanship.
There is a selection of VIP hospitality packages to choose from, each offering privileged experiences at the event and in the historic Italian capital.
The top-of-the-range Romulus Package for car owners combines a three-night stay at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome, luxury shuttles and premier access to the full Concorso, including elevated dining experiences amid the sumptuous frescoes and fragrant gardens of Rome’s neoclassical masterpiece, Casina Valadier, located in the gardens of the Villa Borghese.
The elegant villa overlooking the Eternal City will be at the heart of the action across the weekend, beginning on Saturday with the hosting of an alfresco Champagne reception, a gourmet lunch with fine wines and afternoon tea surrounded by the timeless charms of this architectural jewel. On Sunday, Casina Valadier’s gardens will become a lively social hub of market-style booths offering gourmet bites, fine coffee, artisanal gelato and flutes of bubbles from the Champagne bar, culminating in the awards presentation and the Best in Show showcase.
Among other ticketing options are the Tiberius VIP Package, which includes two nights with breakfast at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi and a VIP weekend experience at Casina Valadier (from $4,880 USD for two), as well as single and multi-day VIP passes, gala dinner tickets and weekend passes starting from $210 USD.
Anantara Concorso Roma is thrilled to partner with Technogym, offering an exclusive health and wellbeing experience for Concorso guests at the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel. Guests can start the day with a guided anaerobic exercise session on the hotel rooftop, featuring breath work and a stretching routine. Technogym personal trainers will be available in the fitness center to guide workouts, while a dedicated nutritional corner at breakfast will provide healthy, nourishing options. This unique focus on health and wellness sets Anantara Concorso Roma apart from other car concours shows, creating a balanced and enriching experience for all attendees. Other confirmed partners include CARS, Whispering Angel, Lockton, Lamborghini Polo Storico and Schedoni.
Uniquely, the Anantara Concorso Roma will only feature Automobile Italiane, with a view to have a curated line-up of the very best Italian masterpieces ever assembled in one place. It will be a complete story of the Italian sports and racing car, featuring all the legendary marques: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani and Bugatti—an Italian car by birth. The celebrated two-times Le Mans winning 1963 Ferrari 275 P is one of the first entries to be announced.
The Concorso will feature early pioneering automobiles, pre and post-war cars, racing cars from the golden eras of historic racing, sports and GT cars from the 50’s and 60’s, and early supercars, right up to modern hypercars. The concours invites owners who have one-off prototypes, rarely, if ever, seen sports racers, significant race cars, icons of La Dolce Vita style—all rare and beautiful collector cars are welcome.
The cars will be grouped by class, and each class judged by a team of marque specialists based on authenticity and elegance. The panel of international judges, assembled by concours grandee and Chief Judge Dott. Adolfo Orsi Jr. includes Honorary Judge Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Massimo Delbò, Francois Melcion, Stefano Pasini, Laura Kukuk, Donald Osborne and Johanne Marshall.
Wines of the Year 2024
By Tom Cannavan
I have published my Wines of the Year for 27 years. Choosing for 2024 was as challenging as ever, but I’ve managed to slot in one wine in each of ten categories. Among my choices are rare old Australian wines that come from dinners with generous friends in Melbourne that I will never forget. As always, I invited visitors to wine-pages.com to send in their own nominations for publication on the site. The ‘Dud’ could be the worst or most disappointing wine, and ‘Thing’ can be used as imaginatively as you like. The definition of ‘budget’ in this exercise will vary for each person, so there’s no hard and fast rule.
Tom’s Wines of the Year 2024
Château d’Esclans, Garrus Rosé 2022
Provence, France, Dry Rosé, Cork, 14.5% abv
95 Points
From a single vineyard of 100-year-old vines, Garrus is fermented and aged in new French oak, but larger 600-litre barrels. There’s an intensity here, dried apricot and an earthy, dried fig nuance over both small red berries and a creamy almond and nut husk background. In the mouth there is immense concentration. It’s a rosé with real grip and purpose, and many layers of flavour and texture. Another convincing Garrus, with extract and phenolic that few achieve, but importantly, done with grace and elegance too.
So few French wines in my list this year. That reflects tasting opportunities, but also that I am keen to explore all sorts of wines and all sorts of regions. Some of my choices are from a holiday in Australia in January/February where meeting up with local wine lovers was an absolute highlight, and the generosity of them sharing truly historic vintages of fabled Australian wines was quite extraordinary.
There were also wonderful ‘offlines’ in London and Edinburgh when friends from this site’s community shared some fabulous bottles – including the extraordinary 1802 Madeira in the list above.
My dud is a ‘Vin de France’. I awarded it 85 points (“Average. A wine with no serious flaws, but no distinction”), so not an awful review, and while I feel bad about singling out one example and, indeed, one wine classification, it represents so many others: fantasy brands with no provenance that are 100% ‘product’; but zero percent soul. The
Vin de France classification allows wines to be blended from across French regions and some producers are using it as an opportunity to make really interesting wines, but others to concoct wines purely to fit some marketing profile. Vin de France is not alone of course: it’s a game that Australia and other countries without strict appellation rules invented. I’m just rather weary of these perfectly ‘pleasant’ but characterless wines.
My thing of the year: friends and family. As I get older I value the company and the good times shared with family and friends, old and new, more and more. I appreciate their loyalty and support. Thank you.
Take Time to Smell the Rosés
By David Bowden
Wine appreciation is very much a sensory experience, arousing almost all our senses; this is possibly no more evident than with rosé wines. Rosé is available in the market as a still wine or sparkling, with sparkling rosé styles from Champagne being some of the most highly prized wines in the world. While red and white wines send out visual cues; nothing arouses the sense of sight like a light pink, rose-coloured rosé.
The distinctive pink to salmon colour occurs when the juice from red (black-skinned) grapes are allowed to briefly come into contact with the skin (the cheaper method, although forbidden in France, is to blend a little red with white wine).
While some may blush at the mere mention of rosé – pun intended – there are many serious pink wines on the market. As they are not aged in oak, many of these wines are made for early drinking and so are best consumed within two or three years. Rosé is perfect as an aperitif wine, as it looks most impressive in the glass. They are best served chilled at between 8-10°C.
Whispering Angel, a wildly popular rosé
Few rosés make it onto lists of the world’s best wines, but they do have their followers and deserve greater credit than they often garner. Rosé is an easy-drinking, fresh wine, and, as such, finds it a little difficult to join the ranks of a great wine style. The stylish packaging and bottles and the wines’ very pale salmon colour also play a big role in the success of the better-known rosé wines, such as Garrus from Chateau d’Esclans, Clos du Temple, and Whispering Angel.
In some countries, particularly the United States, rosé wines serve as an introduction to the world of wines for many. From the mid-1970s into the 1980s and 1990s in particular, rosé wines, especially varieties like White Zinfandel (a rosé made from the red Zinfandel grape), were often Americans’ first foray into wine.
Their approachable sweetness, light body, and affordability made them perfect for casual sipping. California’s Sutter Home winery unquestionably spearheaded the White Zinfandel craze of the era, becoming a household name with its bottles typically costing just $3 or $4, alongside other brands like Beringer and Franzia. (Indeed, the White Zinfandel varietal was the number one selling wine in the United States for 11 years running!)
These “cheap and cheerful” wines introduced a whole generation to wine culture in a relaxed, inexpensive, unpretentious way. As an unexpected side benefit, the runaway sales of ‘White Zin’ compelled growers to save countless acres of their older Zinfandel grape vines from being ripped out, and these days, those well-matured vines are turning out some genuinely superb Zinfandel wines.
Outside of the US, many consumers were introduced to the wide world of wines by squat bottles of Portuguese rosé. By the 1980s, both the red and sparkling white versions of Mateus rosé accounted for some 40% of all Portuguese wine sales. Over 3.25 million cases of Mateus per annum were sold then, and its competitor, Lancers, was producing similar quantities. Palates have changed, and these two styles have declined in global sales.
But although the mass-produced rosé wines of that era were regarded as unserious, budget wines (often on the sweet side), appealing to newbies and also to drinkers who perhaps couldn’t decide between red and white alternatives, the rosé category has grown considerably in stature as discerning drinkers discover many appealing global styles.
In vino veritas: Citymag’s sommelier suggests the best wine & food pairings for the holidays
By Christos Papadopoulos
Photos: Nikiforos Dembos
The sommelier of the Citymag team (and co-owner of Classico Bistro at 15 Themistoklis Sofouli, Thessaloniki), Christos Papadopoulos.
At the beginning of the new year, I will be completing five years in the Citymag team . Since the beginning, the wine column has been there in every issue, to present you with wines that we like and want you to get to know. All these years, the selection of wines is made with personal criteria – impartially, without serving anyone , trusting our own judgment and our own taste.
For the first time, I will mention my personal professional activity: I am a sommelier (in Greek “winekeeper”), owner of Classico bistro at 15 Themistoklis Sofouli, in Thessaloniki. A bistro wine restaurant that loves and honors wine, it has more than five hundred wine labels from all over the world , while its cuisine is based on the creativity of very talented chefs and cooks , who are inspired by traditional Greek cuisine , but also by French and Italian gastronomy .
Why am I telling you all this? Because every year at this time of year, instead of the classic column with the four wines that we recommend in Citymag, we usually present you with the wines that we will choose for the Christmas holidays to accompany the holiday meals . This year, all these choices will be adapted to the cuisine of Classico. So, let’s see, together with the chef of Classico, Konstantinos Tsavadaridis , which wines we will choose and with which dishes from the menu we will accompany them. We, at Classico, will be here to welcome you all the days of the holidays – New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. We are here to recommend the wines for the brightest, most beautiful period of the year, to take off your gastronomic pleasures.
The rosés
… a rosé from France’s famed Provence is Caves d’Esclans ‘ Whispering Angel . Its crisp acidity, rich body, and complex bouquet of aromas (in which you find rose, spices, and red fruits) will charm you.
After tasting and discussion, the chef prepares for us to enjoy with the aforementioned wines crispy shrimp saganaki with tomato sauce and goat cheese and manti stuffed with rooster cooked in the style of traditional Corfiot pastitsada with tomato and spetserika , while as a main course he suggests linguine with shrimp tartare, crayfish broth and egg roe and chicken with trahana, tomato and mizithra.
The 2025 Pegasus World Cup: A Fusion of Sport, Style, and Entertainment Returns to Miami
By Simone
The 2025 Pegasus World Cup is back and bigger than ever, blending world-class horse racing with the unmatched energy of Miami’s luxury lifestyle and entertainment scene. Set for Saturday, January 25, at Gulfstream Park, this international event will deliver iconic performances, VIP experiences, and show-stopping moments.
This year, music heavyweights Black Coffee and Diplo will headline the post-race party, bringing their globally renowned DJ skills to the stage. Adding to the excitement, rising country and pop star Dasha will perform live during the race day broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
But the Pegasus World Cup is more than just a race—it’s the ultimate fusion of sport, style, and entertainment. The prestigious day features some of the world’s best Thoroughbreds competing for top prizes, including the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (GI), the $1 million Pegasus Turf Invitational (GI), and the $500,000 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (GII).
Elevating the party atmosphere, David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality has partnered with Palm Tree Crew to transform Gulfstream Park’s Carousel Club into an exclusive VIP hotspot. From luxurious trackside views to premium food and drinks curated by Groot Hospitality favorites like Gekkō, Komodo, Papi Steak, and Casadonna, guests will experience Miami’s signature flair like never before.
For those looking to toast the day in style, Whispering Angel will serve as the official rosé of the 2025 Pegasus World Cup, while Diageo’s Casamigos Tequila and Ketel One Vodka will bring signature cocktails and immersive activations to keep the energy flowing. Meanwhile, Beyonce’s SirDavis American Whisky will showcase its signature “Honey Bee” cocktail, ensuring every sip complements the day’s festivities. On the other hand, private dining in the Flamingo Room will deliver the ultimate upscale viewing experience.
Tickets start at $125, with VIP options ranging up to $1,619, offering guests a front-row seat to the thrilling competition and star-studded party. From exclusive garden lounges to trackside tables. Launched in 2017, the Pegasus World Cup has solidified its status as a fixture on the international racing and social calendars, attracting celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell Williams, and Venus Williams.
Wine expert reveals the unusual style you should be serving on Christmas Day
By Charlotte Kristensen
I recently introduced myself at a wine tasting as a ‘365 rosé girl’. Sipping the pink drink poolside or at a beach club with friends in warmer climates is what we dream of on these grey winter days.
But our darling rosé isn’t just a summer fling – it’s an effortless crowd-pleaser that will delight palates over the festive season just as it does in the sun.
As the wine expert of the family, I’ve been steadily introducing new traditions in the vino department over the last few years.
The most controversial – now fully embraced by our multi-generational table of drinkers – is a magnum of rosé served with our beetroot and gin-cured salmon starter, perfected by my dad, on Christmas Day.
It’s the perfect middle ground for those who don’t enjoy an oaky white, squirm at an aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, brace themselves for the acidity of other crisp styles, or generally ‘just drink red’.
The British choice is typically a Provence-style pale pink: elegant, fresh, with just the right level of juiciness…
The best food and rosé pairings to try this Christmas
Salmon: Rosé wines cut through the rich, smoky, and oily textures of smoked salmon, while their silky texture and delicate flavours create a harmonious pairing with cured salmon.
Cured meats: Prosciutto, Jamón Ibérico, salami, and similar cured meats are flavourful, salty, and fatty, making them a perfect match for the crispness of rosé, which provides a vibrant lift.
Pomegranate salad: This pairing plays on the red fruit notes found in both rosé and pomegranate, creating a light, lively, and festive match.
Lobster, prawn and crab: The succulent, subtly sweet, and salty-mineral flavours of shellfish are complemented by rosé wines, which echo and enhance these delicate attributes.
Glazed ham: Rosé is a delightful match for the meaty, honeyed flavours of glazed ham, offering a bright, crisp counterpoint to this rich and satisfying Christmas favourite.
The best rosé wines to drink this Christmas
2022 Garrus Rose, Chateau d’Esclans, Cotes de Provence
A splurge-worthy gourmet rosé from the Whispering Angel family – unusually it is oaked, offering a structured, spiced sip with depth.
Pale salmon, this is opulent and ripe with plum, peach and apple mingling with oak spice and red fruits. Very creamy textured with herbal spicy notes, vanilla and summer berries. Long and fresh.
Gift ideas with wines and spirits for the holidays
The final stretch of the year is synonymous with celebration, sharing moments and treasuring memories. Whether with family or friends, the truth is that it is a time when generosity is multiplied and small details can make a big difference.
Giving gifts with wines or opting for spirits to give something original, elegant and versatile is an option that is as unique as it is interesting. A well-chosen bottle not only reflects good taste, but also offers the possibility of enjoying it in company during celebrations or keeping it as a treasure for a special occasion.
Rosé wines: Modern and sophisticated
Looking for original Christmas gifts? Then go for the balance and freshness of rosé wines. Their striking colour and fruity notes make them perfect to accompany appetizers or light dishes on more casual occasions. A Marqués de
Cáceres Rosè is an excellent example. But if you want something more exclusive, how about the Whispering Angel Rosé from Château d’Esclans, in the prestigious region of Provence?
