Ever wondered what you’ll pair with the apocalypse? We know it’s a little pessimistic but knowing what wines to stock in your doomsday bunker just might come in handy because let’s face it, when the world ends, you’ll want to sip on something exquisite while watching it all go down.
First things first, when selecting wines for your bunker, you’ll want to focus on durability. Opt for wines that age well and can withstand the test of time, just like you and your bunker. Think robust reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz, as well as fortified wines like Port and Madeira. These curated drops will only get better with age, much like a fine wine connoisseur in a crisis.
Next, consider variety. While you may be preparing for the end of the world, that doesn’t mean your taste buds have to suffer. Stock up on a diverse selection of wines from different regions and grape varieties to keep things interesting.
Thinking a few years ahead, Anne Moreau of the Bourgogne Wine Board suggests an Aloxe-Corton, produced in the communes of Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny in Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. “This appellation is not as famous as its neighbour Corton, but it develops an elegant and delicate Pinot Noir that really deserves more attention. It’s perfect to open after 3-5 years in bottle and features a firm and structured body.”
From bold Burgundy blends to crisp Chardonnays, your bunker cellar should be a treasure trove of vinous delights. Any sensible bunker will have its wine fridges linked to generators and back up batteries so don’t shy away from delicate wines and some decent vintage champagnes either.
“In my bunker, you will find cases of older vintage Champagne, specifically magnums of 1985 Dom Perignon, which has consistently been one of my all-time favourites from that decade,” says Jason Ginsberg, who, with his wife Mandy, founded award-winning Ginsberg + Chan Wine Merchants in Hong Kong in 2010.
“The fruit is still there, but there is a nutty complexity that is like nothing else you can ever find. It’s a wine that gives you pleasure but also makes you think. I imagine I will have a lot of time to ponder my situation being stuck in a bunker so I will drink them slowly, from a Zalto Universal glass, and pair them with my well-stocked selection of preserved fois gras pate or sardines from La Belle-Iloise. If we’re going down, we’re going down in style!”
And he’s not alone in bringing celebration to calamity. “My wine of choice is the Vinattieri Rosso 2018, which was awarded best merlot of Switzerland, and second would be a champagne from the small winegrower Antoine Grethen,” says wine expert Ramesh Oertli, who holds a master of Oenology. “Paired with good friends or good lovers, these are wines that you can cellar for ever and that give you enough vibration that even when the world ends, they’ll give you some comforting feelings to somehow enjoy the show.”
If the missiles start raining down or the seas suddenly rise, Diego Tronco, sommelier at Aqua in Hong Kong, suggests a cheeky little Friuli (a white wine blend of Malvasia Istriana and Ribolla Gallafrom) from Italian wine producer Silvio Jermann.
“It must be said that Silvio Jermann is one of the winemakers that changed Italian wine history and created a new era in vinification of white wines, so it seems a sound choice for the end of the world,” says Diego. “It did take him a bit of effort to convince his parents to change their way of winemaking, as they had more conservative views, but in the end, not only did he convince his parents with his multi-layered, extract-loaded whites, he convinced the whole wine world. With an antique gold yellow colour, it expresses notes of ripened fruit and hints of honey and sweet spices. lending it well to brined, canned staples like anchovies or a nice hard parmesan.”
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While we’re talking cheese, let’s not forget about pairing your wines with bunker cuisine. While gourmet meals may be a thing of the past, a well-chosen wine can elevate even the most basic canned goods. For a touch of sophistication, pair your canned beans with a rich Malbec or indulge in some Spam with a sparkling brut. And don’t skimp on dessert.
“I would reach for something sweet to indulge myself before my last day of earth,” says Juwan Kim, head sommelier at Hong Kong’s La Petite Maison. “I do have a very sweet tooth, and I wouldn’t be happy facing Armageddon without something sweet and the Avignonesi Vin Santo di Montepulciano 1993 is the best sweet wine in my cellar at the moment.”
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“The wine shows concentrated yet dried fruit characters, dried mango, dried apricot, orange marmalade. Also there’s distinctive hint of VA (volatile acidity, which resembles balsamic vinegar) from the long aging in the barrel, and its high acidity and high alcohol are well balanced with luscious sweetness,” says Kim. “It’s only produced in 375ml bottles which means I can spare some space for food to match up with this wine!”
Who says the end of the world can’t be classy?
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