Say cheers at Champagniac, Singapore’s most inclusive champagne festival that hopes to demystify the bubbly

This November, against the sparkling cascade of Jewel Changi Airport’s iconic waterfall, Champagne takes centre stage at the inaugural edition of Champagniac.

The new festival celebrates the craft and community of Champagne, with over 100 labels ranging from renowned prestige houses to family-owned boutique wineries to explore. 

Led by sommelier Yeo Xi Yang, founder of Southeast Asia’s pioneering Champagne bar, it’s designed to be more inclusive, inviting connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike to discover new producers and bottlings.

To be held at the Changi Experience Studio on November 8 & 9, participants can look forward to a lively weekend of wine tasting, raffle games, and masterclasses. While there are certainly more familiar maisons like Charles Heidsieck, Champagne lovers keen to go deeper in their journey will also find a brilliant diversity of grower Champagnes, including André Clouet and Roger Pouillon. 

Some vintners, like Herbert & Co.’s third-generation winemaker Thomas Herbert, will be flying in to share their insights on their winemaking philosophy, vineyard practices, and the nuances behind each cuvée.

Ticket holders can enjoy complimentary tastings of regular and entry-level Champagnes from all labels. At the same time, rare and premium bottles, such as the Louis Roederer Cristal 2008, are accessible via tokens, which will be available for purchase.

And it’s not just Champagne. The line-up extends beyond the French region to include other effervescent wines, such as Tasmania’s award-winning House of Arras and cava from Raventós i Blanc.

 And many may not realise that Champagne doesn’t just produce wine; the region is also home to grape-based spirits, such as Ratafia de Champagne, a sweet fortified wine. So if you’re looking for something unique, try Moutard’s Fine Champenoise XO 40°, a Champagne-made brandy making its Singapore debut at the festival. 

If it all seems a little daunting, a helpful community of sommeliers and wine experts, including Celine Jung, Singapore National Sommelier Champion 2023, and Gerald Lu, President of the Sommelier Association of Singapore, is on hand to provide guidance. 

Unlike most wine festivals, Champagniac will also feature a full-fledged food programme. There will be hearty Italian dishes from The Cicheti Group like pollo fritto (fried chicken), pizza by the slice and rigatoni cacio e pepe.

Or you could complement your glass of bubbly with freshly shucked oysters or an indulgent bump of caviar. Incidentally, the limited edition SKLO stemware, handcrafted by Czech artisans Kvetna 1794, is included in the ticket price, so you’ll be able to bring yours home with you. 

For those seeking to further their exploration, masterclasses on Champagne Devaux and Champagne Pommery will be held at 2.15pm on their respective days. VIP ticket holders have priority access, plus lounge access and two tokens per person.

Champagniac will take place on November 8 & 9 at Changi Experience Studio, Jewel Changi Airport. Tickets start from $98 per session.