Okura unveils Dutch sparkling wine, Cuvée Okura

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St. Martinus and Hotel Okura Amsterdam create a unique blend for guests

Amsterdam, December 20, 2023 – Hotel Okura Amsterdam introduces the freshly bottled wine, Cuvée Okura. It is a unique sparkling blend that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Pure craftsmanship, created in co-creation with Wine Estate St. Martinus in the mountain village of Vijlen in the south of the Netherlands. Cuvée Okura is available through Hotel Okura Amsterdam and is developed to offer guests an unparalleled experience.

The recognized sommeliers of Hotel Okura Amsterdam, Noël Vanwittenbergh and Menno Tol, collaborated with oenologist Stan Beurskens with heart and soul to bring this wine to fruition.

See the video ‘Final tasting of Cuvée Okura’ here.

Cuvée Okura features delicate fresh floral impressions, with citrus and white fruit taking the lead. A light sparkle has been chosen to represent the elegance of the hotel. The calcareous soil and rock from the South resonate in the wine, with notes of chalk and flint. Cuvée Okura has a finely matured touch and a softly dry finish.

Unique Blend

Cuvée Okura owes its exquisite taste in part to the exceptional and artisanal process. The ‘Méthode traditionelle’ was applied, where the wine undergoes a second fermentation process in the bottle after the regular production process, creating the bubbles in the wine. Additionally, it is special that the wine has also undergone wood aging in the barrique cellar of St. Martinus. Cultivated white and red grapes from Dutch soil were also used. All of this makes this blend exceptional.

“Creating wine is a beautiful process,” says Honorary Gastronomy sommelier Noël Vanwittenbergh, passionately. “Despite working in the top of the culinary world for 25 years, I have not had the opportunity to make wine with an oenologist of this caliber before. It’s wonderful to taste the choices we made throughout the process in the wine. Collaboration with St. Martinus was essential in composing the intensity of the flavor. We can’t wait to see the delighted expressions on our guests’ faces after their first sip of this elegant wine.”

Oenologist Stan Beurkens, St. Martinus: “It was great to share our love for the winemaking craft with the sommeliers of Hotel Okura Amsterdam. We found common ground in each other. Inevitably, both of us work with respect for people and nature with a persistent focus on the highest achievable quality. Together, we have created a unique blend. It is a privilege to offer this to the guests of the hotel and the beautiful restaurants.”

Availability

Cuvée Okura is available through the webshop, the Festive Pop-up until January 7, 2024, and in the restaurants Ciel Bleu, Yamazato, Serre, and Sazanka. Additionally, Hotel Okura Amsterdam offers the wine as a welcome gift in a selection of rooms to provide guests with an unforgettable welcome in the spirit of Omotenashi, Japanese hospitality from the heart.