Great grapes: Roosevelt Private Cellar & Wine Vault
International restaurateur George Chen and partner H. Delano Roosevelt are sure to make their mark once again with yet another luxurious addition to their Shanghai culinary entourage.
Just steps away from its namesake steak house, Marshall Mansion’s newest resident, the Roosevelt Private Cellar & Wine Vault, serves up legendary old-world glamor to the city’s longstanding as well as burgeoning wine community.
Hand-picked by Bay Area native Chen and fellow renowned wine professional Markus Wong, the portfolio keeps a primary focus on American high-end wines, but doesn't neglect key international labels, spirits and collector's pieces.
“As the California wine market continues to grow along with China’s taste for premium wines, I aim to bridge that gap,” says Chen. “However, the tiered consumer is always looking for that named producer and exceptional vintage.”
Stepping into their new 600 square meter full-service wine facility is an experience worth a toast (or smoke) complete with retail shop, wine club, tasting rooms, two walk-in humidors and an education and media center. Catering to everyone from the clueless novice to the seasoned connoisseur, Roosevelt’s newest venture offers a personalized service Shanghai hasn’t seen in a long time, but is sure to appreciate.
Pour or store?
At first glance, Roosevelt Private Cellar & Wine Vault exudes pure class with comfortable, Old World deco. But behind the dark panels and classic leather seating everything is state-of-the-art. 500 meters of temperature and humidity-controlled space complete with round-the-clock secured storage.
The serious collector who craves the convenience (or status) of authentic storage can sleep easily knowing their bottled brood is under the best of care with Chen and crew, true oenophiles in every sense of the word.
Although Shanghai’s taste for premium wine is growing, there’s little worry of running out of space anytime soon with enough units to give at least 30,000 bottles a safe and happy home.
Old-school glam gone affordable
Such service and selection should come at a price, right? Expat and local wine lovers alike might be surprised.
“Quality wine should indeed come at a price, but a fair one,” says Chen. “For years, I’ve been somewhat disappointed in the overall pricing structure of wine distributors. And even with the heavy duty and import taxes, there is much room for better pricing.”
Wine snobs relax, there’ll still be plenty of impressive four digit trophy wines a la carte. But why should the average wine lover be denied or discouraged?
“I’m determined to offer the most competitive pricing in town," says Chen. "We want to bring quality California wines to Shanghai consumers -- not just the expat community but the growing number of locals, who with an ever-increasing and expendable income, have begun to incorporate fine wine into their lifestyle."
Grapes gone wired?
Sip and be seen is one thing, but sometimes nothing beats a glass in the comfort of your own home. Or your own pajamas, for those who dare to admit it.
With the help of Shanghai-based e-Ha Company, Ltd. (Electronic-Hospitality Arts), the Roosevelt crew is taking their passion one step further with a full-service, interactive website, along with personalized wine search SMS service, both in the works and due to launch by spring.
And as if this weren’t enough to keep him busy, keep a lookout later this spring for Chen and partners’ latest culinary venture bringing patrons and their wine glasses to new heights. “Think something like a cellar in the sky,” Chen says.
1. During the day mostly, a light cigar such as a corona size with a medium body and not too heady a smoke is fine with a dry Riesling, Pinot Gris or even a dry sparkler would be nice, especially if you're finishing a lunch of roast chicken or game.
2. During or after a heavy dinner, a Robusto or Double Corona is ideal and goes with a meatier red wine. But choose a wine without too much acid, which can accentuate the spicy notes of a bigger cigar. A well rounded Cabernet or Syrah is a better choice than a Burgundy whose subtlety can be lost in the mix.
3. After dessert, a short Churchill, a short robusto, figuarado (shaped) cigar -- that is preferably aged at least five years -- will offer sweeter notes and nutty, woody hints that I actually like with vintage port and also with a good Sauternes, which has layers of flavors and enough acid backbone to balance the sweetness in the wine.
getting there
Roosevelt Private Cellar & Wine Vault
160 Taiyuan Lu, near Yongjia Lu
太原路160号, 近岳阳路
tel +86 6433 8240
clare.li@rooseveltprivatecallar.com
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