VITIS Wine Bar and Bistro
We had a remarkable evening at VITIS Wine Bar and Bistro, which blended its Asian-inspired cuisine with a rare showcase of Bordeaux wines from Château Montrose and Château Tronquoy-Lalande. Typically focused on Asian wines and winemakers, VITIS is known for its commitment to unearthing unique regional flavours, from Thailand to Japan, China to India. But this evening it was a special collaboration with Grand Vin wines, spotlighting some French classics alongside Chef Kenneth Lin's inventive menu.
We began with Blanc de Tronquoy, a refined Bordeaux Blanc crafted from Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris, an intriguing departure from the usual Sauvignon Blanc. Bright citrus and white blossom notes shone through, paired with Chef Kenneth’s playful fusion bites: a foie gras mousse tucked into local "you tiao", jazzed up with a touch of chilli kirsch cherry gel and white chocolate. There was also a delicate blini with adzuki bean and caviar, a bite that seemed to embody VITIS’s East-meets-West philosophy. These pairings were unexpectedly harmonious, the crispness of the wine dancing with the rich flavours of each bite.
Chef Kenneth’s dishes continued to surprise with their bold flavours and Asian influences. Wagyu skewers with shishito pepper had a hint of Japanese smokiness, while the Assam-glazed pork ribs with rojak salad added a playful nod to local flavours. Each dish was an exciting blend of textures and spices, showing off the versatility of his culinary style. The roasted black market striploin with a rich beef jus and lamb rack served with grilled eggplant and a hint of chilli garlic (reminiscent of Lao Gan Ma) rounded out the savoury courses. The Montrose wines stood up beautifully to these dishes, their depth and complexity matching each flavour twist and turn.
Speaking of the Montrose reds, we had a vertical tasting of three vintages - 2019, 2011, and 2008. Each vintage offered its own depth and complexity, but the 2019 stole the show for me. Its vibrant red colour hinted at what was to come: a beautifully structured wine with notes of dark fruits, balanced tannins, and a finish that seemed endless. The wine was rich, smooth, and deeply satisfying, and I couldn’t resist asking Elodie Chabot, the winery’s representative, about its cellaring potential. With a playful grin, she responded, "Forever!" Though forever might be a stretch, I’d say this wine has at least 15-20 years of beautiful evolution ahead.
This dinner felt like a rare treat at VITIS, a place typically reserved for discovering the lesser-known but equally inspiring wines of Asia. Through this collaboration with Grand Vin wines, we experienced how Bordeaux’s finest can beautifully complement VITIS’s Asian-inspired dishes. It was an evening of exploration and discovery, where food and wine met across continents and cultures, leaving me eager for the next unexpected pairing.
VITIS Wine Bar and Bistro
7 Fraser Street
#01-46/47 Duo Galleria
Singapore 189356
