You might have heard of this handy app Vivino with which you just snap a photo of the wine label, and voila! You get instant ratings, reviews, and price comparisons. It's the most downloaded wine app for both iPhone and Android, and the world's largest online wine marketplace with 65 million users.

The US-based Vivino is taking things up a notch by opening its first-ever flagship brick-and-mortar wine store in sunny Singapore on 19th September 2024 at Raffles City Shopping Centre.

The flagship store would be a 2,000 square feet haven for wine enthusiasts boasting over 100 labels of top-rated wines (rated 4.0 and above on Vivino), and prices start at S$19.90. If you're feeling a bit adventurous, keep an eye out for their rare and limited-edition wines and global bestsellers making their Singapore debut.

Navigating the store will be a breeze with the "Vivino Recommends" digital kiosks. These clever little things will offer personalised wine suggestions based on your preferences. Plus, there are open tasting bars where you can sample before you buy. It's all about empowering you to make confident wine choices.

Otherwise, shoppers could browse the physical aisles to discover various wine styles according to regions, such as Bordeaux Reds, Southern Italy Reds, as well as thematic counters highlighting Bestsellers, Promotional Picks and an interestingly named Almost Perfect which features wines rated more than 4.4 points.

There would also be exclusive Vivino-branded merchandise, tote bags, wine keys, glassware, electronic wine openers.

“We built the Vivino app to help people drink better wine, and seeing this vision come to life in a physical space is truly a dream come true for me. For the first time ever, you can walk into a store and pick up a great wine every time, curated by tens of millions of Vivino users around the world,” shares Heini Zachariassen, who co-founded Vivino in Copenhagen in 2010. 

And if you're in the mood for a relaxing tipple right in the store, head over to the Vivino Wine Bar. They'll have a regularly updated selection of wines by the glass, starting from just $8. To complement your wine, they'll also an array tapas priced at $12 per dish, or three for $33 – developed in collaboration with Michelin Starred Chef Bjoern Alexander! 

Take your pick from Gourmet Loaded Nachos served with a side of melted Stracciatella and fresh tomatoes and olive salsa, perfect to go with a 2023 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, or the Smoked Salmon & Couscous Salmon drizzled with tangy Amalfi lemon dressing, ideal to go with a 2023 Miraval IGP Mediterranean Rosé Studio. 

Charcuterie Boards would also be available to fully compliment your wines. Choose from a Small Platter ($30) comprising three cheeses and three cold cuts that are good for 2 to 3 pax or a Sharing Platter ($60) comprising six cheeses and six cold cuts that will satisfy 4 to 6 pax.

Vivino is brought into Singapore by Wine Portal Holding, a global wine business with stakes in retail, e-commerce and wine bars. They are also the company behind Grand Cru Wine Concierge and Park90. Wine Portal sees Vivino as the perfect addition to appeal to wine customers of all stages – especially those starting their journey.

“We're excited to join forces with Vivino to revolutionize the wine retail experience. This partnership originated from our shared desire to democratize the wine industry and make wine accessible and enjoyable for all. By leveraging the power of crowdsourced recommendations, we're making it easier than ever for people to confidently discover wines that match their taste and budget.”

– Tracy Koo, CEO of Wine Portal

On-Going Events

Vivino is also invested in building a community. So, expect year-round activities designed to bring wine lovers together including wine tasting workshops, masterclasses with sommeliers and the like! 

Look forward to the Vivino Tasting Club, which offers monthly wine tasting sessions that bring wine lovers together to sample and rate new wines, and explore new flavours in a social setting.

The store already has  also host a series of exclusive events, including a tasting with historic Tuscan producer Frescobaldi with a seven-century-long history on 27 October 2024. On 27 November 2024, the spotlight will be on Tuscany's Barbanera known for its classic regional wines, as well as selections from Puglia and Sicily.

Launch Promotion

To kick off your Vivino journey, new subscribers to the Vivino Wine Shop mailing list will enjoy 1-for-1 bottles of a highly rated wine every week for four weeks, starting September 20th, 2024. 

Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or just starting to explore the world of wine, we imagine you'd be curious to check out Vivino.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team