What a fantastic idea it is to salute yet another first at Gardens by the Bay with a selection of the world’s finest wines and a thoroughly prepared gourmet feast.
That’s exactly what’s happening on 22 May 2023 as the Jurade de Saint-Émilion celebrates the inaugural Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in Singapore with a magical evening at Gardens by the Bay. After a monumental induction ceremony into the Jurade, 400 guests will be seated for a five-course dinner carefully curated by the Ritz Carlton and matched with 12 hallmark wines from the Saint-Émilion region. At a cost of S$720 per person, guests will be able to experience this moment in history while learning about the wines and vineyard’s rich heritage in Saint-Émilion.
Hubert de Boüard, the first Jurat and co-owner of Château Angelus in Saint-Émilion, and Melvin Choo, a Singaporean-born motorsports race driver and chancellor of the Jurade in Singapore, will present the Jurats and speak about the Jurade’s history and significance. Fifteen individuals will be inducted into the Jurade of Saint-Émilion this year. In addition to the evening’s entertainment, attendees will be introduced to a selection of Saint-Émilion wines by a rotating cast of sommeliers.
Over 900 winemakers work on 7,500 acres of land in this area, which is the first vineyard to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is hoped that by 2023, all of the vineyard’s winemakers will have earned environmental certification, up from the present 90%.
Steeped in France’s Rich History
The Jurade ritual has deep roots in France’s past and honors the region’s storied heritage. Since the 12th century, Saint-Émilion has been under its own jurisdiction. Saint-Émilion yearned for greater autonomy after the region came under English administration in 1154. The Jurade appeared at this time. For 500 years up until the French Revolution, the Jurats ruled over the eight parishes that together constituted up the Jurisdiction, exercising administrative, legal, financial, and military control over them all.
The region is also home to the Jurade.
The Jurade was reborn in 1948 as a monument to the foresight of its progenitors. There are currently 140 Jurats who travel the world on behalf of Saint-Émilion, educating wine drinkers and consumers about the region’s wines, the community, and its history.
Since its revival, approximately 4000 people have become Jurade members, including notables as Thomas Pesquet, Sting! and Tony Parker.
From 23 to 25 May 2023, Vinexpo is set to host more than 1,000 wine and spirit producers from around the world.
