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Uncorked with Ian Lim and Al Gho
Singapore’s wine scene took a ‘natural’ turn when Ian Lim and Al Gho launched a full-blown, progressive natural wine bar called Wine RVLT in September last year, selling what the two veterans call “authentic, living, raw and honest wines”. The name, short for ‘wine revolution’ is exactly what the duo are aiming to start in Singapore’s wine community. Ian and Al talked to dbHK in a joint interview about how they became staunch supporters of natural wines and how their ideal dinner guest would be with natural wines’ foremost champion, Isabelle Legeron MW. (Since both of the owners have day jobs as sommeliers, they requested not to show their faces in the interview.)
What bottle sparked your love of wine?
We started with learning and drinking classical, conventional wines and we got a bit tired of it. Two years ago, we discovered a couple of amazing natural wines like Testalonga-El Bandito (Swartland, South Africa) and Alexander Bain (Loire Valley, France), and they totally changed our perception of wines and were really exciting for us!
What would you be as a wine?
A Frank Cornelissen Contadino – perfumed, lively, loads of fruit and energy, yet serious at the same time.
Where are you happiest?
80% of the time at our bar, drinking lively wines and meeting like minded wine ‘revolutionaries’ and another 20%, visiting wineries and hanging out with ‘real’ winemakers.
What’s your greatest vice?
A ‘living’ bottle of real wine with no added B.S.
Best advice you ever got?
Follow our heart. Dream a dream. Don’t give up the fight!
Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?
None. It is what it is. Let’s buy more.
What’s the best and worst thing about the wine business?
Drinking amazing wines, but it’s hard to stop.
What’s on your wine bucket list?
Vin Jaune from Pierre Overnoy, if you can find it…
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
That crazy French woman – Isabelle Legeron MW.
Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)？
Seeking perfection is UNREALISTIC… It is what it is…. We don’t like to pressure ourselves.
Which wine would you like to be served at your funeral?
We’d rather drink it on our deathbeds than serving it… if it comes to that point.