Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) Singapore 2025 took place on November 22, 2025, at the lavish Shangri-La Hotel. This year’s event was a remarkable success, following the inaugural edition the previous year, and it has now become an essential part of the wine calendar in Singapore.
The event attracted over 500 attendees eager to sample an impressive selection of wines from 52 wineries across 13 countries. The luxurious Tower Ballroom was adorned with pristine Riedel glassware, enhancing the tasting experience.
Grand Tasting Highlights
The event’s main feature was the Grand Tasting, which showcased wines from renowned estates worldwide. Attendees enjoyed discovering offerings from classic regions like France, Spain, and Italy, alongside exciting surprises from countries such as China, Hungary, and Switzerland. Notably, Japan’s presence was celebrated, with Dassai Sake showcasing a variety of Junmai Daiginjo sakes and a unique environmentally responsible release.
Koshu of Japan presented an array of wines from nine different producers, including both red and rosé varieties derived from international grapes, as well as sparkling and still wines crafted from the native Koshu grape.
Special Wines
Each producer at the Grand Tasting also featured special wines from their collections. Attendees were treated to visually stunning large-format bottles, including a jeroboam of the 2014 grand vin from Château Pichon Baron and double magnums from other esteemed estates. Rare older vintages were displayed as well, including a 2005 St-Emilion grand cru and a 2006 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
Notably, wine principals such as Marielle Cazaux from Château La Conseillante and José Ramón Urtasun from Remírez de Ganuza personally shared their wines with the guests. A dedicated table featured 37 outstanding wines that scored 95 points or higher at the recent Decanter World Wine Awards.
Exclusive Masterclasses
In addition to the Grand Tasting, guests were able to attend exclusive masterclasses. A notable masterclass, titled "Montalcino across Time," explored two significant vintages—2010 and 2020—featuring wines from celebrated producers like Il Marroneto and Biondi Santi.
Another sought-after masterclass was led by Alexis Leven-Mentzelopoulos from Château Margaux, where attendees tasted a selection of four decades of vintages. The final masterclass featured Johann Henschke who presented vertical tastings of iconic Shirazes from his family winery in South Australia.
New Editors’ Lunch
A highlight of this year’s event was the debut of the Editors’ Lunch, limited to just 12 guests. This intimate gathering at the Shangri-La’s Origin Grill offered a rare opportunity to enjoy a curated meal paired with fine wines chosen by Decanter’s editorial team, fostering engaging discussions about wine.
The success of DFWE Singapore 2025 has set high expectations for the future, and organizers are looking forward to the next event. The upcoming DFWE in New York is set for June 6, 2026, with further announcements regarding future venues anticipated.