Raffles Hotel Singapore to Celebrate 125 Years in September

Aug 07, 12 | 12:02 am

There are a few hotels in the world whose names have become virtually synonymous with the cities in which they are located - and none more so than Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore, Raffles started out as a 10-room bungalow, 125 years ago. Over the next 20 years it grew to become the landmark that it is today - and the haunt of tycoons, rogues, adventurers, movie stars, authors and journalists.

Photo: Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel Singapore will celebrate its 125th anniversary in September, making it one of the world's oldest hotel brands, so it's fitting that two other global luxury brands are joining the celebrations: - Jaeger-LeCoultre, with a limited edition classic Reverso watch and Billecart-Salmon with a 125th Anniversary Brut Réserve Champagne.

Exclusively bottled to mark 125 years since this legendary hotel opened, the private label cuvée will be available at Raffles Hotel Singapore and at the other hotels in the Raffles Hotels & Resorts family, in Paris, Seychelles, Cambodia and China. The champagne will have its debut in Singapore during the hotel's anniversary festivities in September, which will launch a year of celebrations.

Photo: Raffles Singapore

Established in 1818 by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon in Mareuil-sur-Ay, Billecart-Salmon is known worldwide for fashioning the most elegant Champagne, fully rounded vintage cuvées with the purest palate and seemingly ageless style. It is the oldest continuously family owned and operated house in Champagne, currently managed by the seventh generation. With a relatively modest production level, many of Billecart-Salmon's prestige cuvées are highly allocated.

The cellars are in the hands of renowned Chef de Cave Francois Domi Chief Winemaker, whose tasting notes on the anniversary cuvée are as follows:

"The Brut Réserve is a light, fine and harmonious champagne. Its blend is made with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier from three different years, sourced from the best sites in the Champagne region."

"With reflections of straw yellow, the cuvée offers a floral freshness with aromas of fresh fruit and ripe pears. A full flavour and rich bouquet bear witness to the ageing of this cuvée in the House's traditional cellars."

Photo: Raffles Hotel

Stephane Soret, Wine Director of Raffles Hotel, recognised as the Chevalier de l'Ordre in the prestigious worldwide organisation Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, commented:

"Like Raffles, Billecart-Salmon has almost two centuries of skill and practice in what they do, which is to make classic, timeless champagne. Whether it's staying in Raffles or drinking a glass of lightly chilled Billecart-Salmon, style and magic has a lot to do with experience. Timelessness is about moving with the times and adapting to the world around us - but never forgetting our heritage, which is priceless. We are really delighted to be working with Billecart-Salmon for our anniversary."

The anniversary cuvée will be available exclusively at Raffles hotels worldwide and as an integral part of Raffles Hotel Singapore's celebratory Billecart-Salmon Champagne 125th Anniversary Brunch starting Sunday 16th September 2012. In Singapore it will be priced at SGD 148 per bottle, and guests will be able to enjoy it in all the restaurants and bars at the hotel.

Find out more about Raffles Hotel Singapore - www.raffles.com/singapore/

Source: Yahoo