In our sweltering weather, nothing invigorates as quickly as an iced drink. Colder doesn’t always mean better, however, when it comes to wine. On the contrary, serving wine below optimal temperature can mute complexity, sharpen acidity, and exaggerate tannins. This was one of the lessons we learnt at a wine tasting hosted by Vivant, the Taiwan-based tech company that specialises in wine and beverage equipment, during its launch in Singapore.
Two glasses of Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut Ay Champagne provided dramatically different experiences. Served at a frosty 2 deg C, the first was refreshing, but tight and sharp on the palate. Served at its ideal 10 deg C, the second was a revelation as the wine softened and opened up. After the acidity had subsided, the mouthfeel was more generous, with layers of fruit and a graceful roundness that the colder glass had buried.
Temperature, says Fu, influences how aromas unfold, how textures feel on the palate, and how flavours are perceived.
Temperature control can make or break the experience of wine appreciation, says Daniel Fu, Vivant’s Co-founder and CEO. It affects how aromas unfold, how textures feel on the palate, and how flavours are perceived.
“Wine becomes closed and muted when it is too cold. Too warm and the alcohol dominates. However, when served at the right temperature, the wine really sings,” he says. White burgundy, for example, has delicate floral notes, and bordeaux has a rich, layered complexity.
Photo: Vivant
Fu, a wine enthusiast, worked in the semiconductor industry for 30 years before establishing Vivant with his high school classmate Vincent Lai in 2020. Its name derives from the French phrase “bon vivant”, meaning one who enjoys a sociable and luxurious lifestyle.
Its collection of accessories uses cutting-edge temperature control technology that elevates the enjoyment of wine—as intended by the winemakers—among both casual enthusiasts and seasoned connoisseurs.
Let’s Drink To This
Vivant chose Singapore to launch its global expansion because it is Asia’s fastest-growing premium wine market. According to Fu, “The local wine industry is expected to grow from US$696.3 million (S$940 million) by 2024 to US$960.1 million by 2030, with strong growth across both still and sparkling wine categories.”
The launch featured three stylish wine chillers. The Titan comes with a decanter integrated into the cooling system, which can be adjusted between 8 and 20 deg C. The sleek and compact Venus chills wine between 12 and 20 deg C, with space for both standard 750ml bottles and prestige champagne bottles—like the broader, more sculptural shapes of Dom Pérignon and Krug.
Powered by lithium-ion batteries—with two charging modes, direct plug-in or dock-based charging—Titan and Venus last up to four hours and come with semiconductor microchips and temperature sensors for precise, safe, and efficient temperature control.
The last but not least is Lyra, which has eight cooling pouches that chill wine and large beer bottles for up to two hours. Its pouches attach magnetically to the chiller and easily detach, so there are no messy puddles or fuss.
Reeze Choi, Vivant’s Global Brand Ambassador who placed third in ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2023, appreciates this “quiet revolution in wine service”. With the brand’s temperature-control innovations, wine can be served at its peak every time, he says, and enjoyed even at home. As a result, more wine enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the experience.
“It’s about personal taste and shared moments, not expertise,” he says. “At its heart, wine is about pleasure.”
