French winery Chateau Bernadotte is unveiling its next project: Desiree fashion wines. Crafted with Gen Z and Millennials in mind, the new wines are a twist to the classic drink. The wines were officially released with an exclusive launch event last Monday at Foodhall by Moon Thai. Check out our video recap of the lavish party and more about the wines below.
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Desiree by Chateau Bernadotte is a bold rebellion against the existing wine market. The winery utilises traditional methods with grapes grown at a vineyard next to a chateau in Bordeaux with over 100 years of history. Thanks to the geographical conditions, these grapes ripen into their ideal state with concentrated tannins, aromas, and colouring. Handled by the label’s experts, the winery takes a contemporary approach to its products, creating a unique character you can’t find in other bottles.
The fashion wines come in bright packaging, breaking away from the classic Chateau Bernadotte. Featuring Sapphire Blue and Coral Pink, the colours signify the meanings “Precious” and “Treasurable”. Printed with embossing, the label allows the winery to play with the definition of “old-world wine” while still championing excellence and modernity.
Chateau Bernadotte reveals a modern wine
The line features Rouge, an elegant red wine, and Blanc de Noirs, a dry white wine. Each bottle of Desiree fashion wine is made from a carefully selected blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties. The grapes are indigenous to the vineyard, with each vine being an average of 30 years old.
The red wine, Rouge, is “traditional but unexpected.” Made in the Haut-Médoc tradition, the atypical wine is aged for an unusually long five years — compared to the traditional one to two years — before it gets bottled in 2024. This long ageing process lends a freshness to the final product. Rouge also boasts silky and delicious tannins, as expected from Chateau Bernadotte, which is known for its red wines and a well-defined tannic structure.
On the other hand, the Blanc de Noirs is “a white that displays red character.” This dry white wine is actually made from red grape varieties, just like the Rouge. Black-skinned grapes like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon typically produce a dark-coloured wine. Instead of squeezing, the grapes are gently pressed, resulting in a clear juice that maintains a fuller body and aroma often associated with red fruits. The juice is then fermented as a traditional white wine.
It’s a tedious and difficult process that results in a wine like no other. Don’t be deceived by its looks — it might appear like a typical white wine with its light golden colour, but it holds an unexpected richness akin to a red wine. The drink exudes a deep aroma of black fruits, peaches, spices, and citrus fruits. The Blanc de Noirs represents a new winemaking experience and a breakthrough in the industry. It perfectly encapsulates the daring spirit of Chateau Bernadotte and its desire to never settle for the status quo.
Jointly unveiled with Patrick Cox SS25
Desiree by Chateau Bernadotte was launched worldwide last Monday, September 23, at an exclusive event. This was the first time the line of fashion wines was revealed to the public. Guests got to be among the first ones to try out the new wines.
At the same time, the renowned British fashion brand Patrick Cox jointly unveiled its latest SS25 collection. Known for its use of fleur-de-lis and unusual materials, the label is an iconic and recognisable name in fashion. The exclusive launch party marked the release of the fashion wine line as well as the return of Patrick Cox in Hong Kong. During the event, the crowd enjoyed a first look at the collection as models showed off the items on the runway.
After the party, Desiree wines is now available exclusively on DDdim.com. Patrick Cox’s FW24 collection will follow suit on the same platform around late October–November 2024.
Video: Ryan Putranto
Text: Johanna Muliani
(Images: Chateau Bernadotte)