It has been a gruelling process identifying the top ten wines enjoyed by Singapore’s leading CEOs for The Business Times Wine Challenge. 

Organised in partnership with UBS, the second edition of this challenge was held at UBS Singapore’s premises at One Raffles Quay on October 9.

After much swirling, sipping and friendly discussions, international wine specialist and chief judge Lim Hwee Peng and his team unveiled the 10 most celebrated wines before a crowd of 180 guests and industry professionals.   

The Italian and French wines led the way with three winners each, while the other wines were from Germany, Spain and Austria.

Mr Lim Hwee Peng, the event’s chief judge and sommelier of Singapore-based French restaurant Le Bistro du Sommerlier Maximilien Fedkiw, said: “In the final count, each of these wines won only by a whisker, not by a huge margin, a testament to the exceedingly high-quality wines submitted.” 

The 10 winning wines were whittled down from the original field of 130 wines submitted by wine distributors and retailers in July. Thirty wines were shortlisted from that field by a panel of five wine experts, including Mr Lim, and the director of wines at Les Amis Group, Mr Timothy Goh.

In August, a panel of 10 wine-loving chief executive officers picked the top 10 from the 30 shortlisted wines. The CEOs included Mr Richard Eu of Eu Yan Sang, Mr Gerald Lee of Far East Hospitality Thrust and Mr Michael Su of Pontiac Land. 

To ensure blind tasting, the wines were served with covered labels to the CEOs. Each CEO would then have to judge the wines based on aroma, complexity, balance, intensity and length of flavour.

Mr Eddie Gan, UBS Wealth Management’s managing director, country team head Singapore, said: “We thank The Business Times for inviting us again to partner with them for the BT Wine Challenge 2014 CEOs’ Choice. This is the second year running and it is an easy decision and a privilege to continue this partnership with BT after the success of last year's inaugural event at our historic Command House.”

For more information and partnership opportunities with The Business Times, please contact Agnes Han at 6319 1130 or hanhuiyi@sph.com.sg.