Lotte Department Store Launches 'Don Melcho × Kim Hwan-ki Universe' Wine
First Case of Kim Hwan-ki's Artwork Applied to Alcohol Label
Limited Edition of 3,000 Bottles for Sale
"I must drink to become a genius. The lines I draw, have they reached the edge of the sky? The dots I make, have they shone as brightly as those twinkling stars? Our homeland, brighter than the rainbow vividly seen when I close my eyes..."
The paintings of Kim Whanki (1913?1974), a master of modern Korean art, have been featured on a wine label for the first time. The winery embracing Kim Whanki’s artwork, known for his fondness for alcohol during his lifetime, is Don Melchor, the pride of Chilean wine. This collaboration between a legendary Korean artist and an iconic Chilean wine that has captivated wine critics worldwide is drawing attention.
On the 2nd, Lotte Department Store unveiled a limited edition wine, "Don Melchor 2021 × Kim Whanki Universe," as part of the "Art Label Wine Project," and opened a pop-up store at the AvenueL section of the main Lotte Department Store in Jamsil, Seoul. The Art Label Wine Project is a limited edition wine project launched last year by Lotte Department Store in collaboration with renowned domestic and international artists. Last year, the project featured wines in collaboration with Korea’s leading artists: Park Sun-ki with Italy’s Piedmont region winery "Michele Chiarlo," and Ha Tae-im with France’s Bordeaux region winery "Andr? Lurton," all of which sold out completely.
The artwork featured on this limited edition wine is Kim Whanki’s representative piece "Universe 5-IV-71 #200," a harmonious work where two separate pieces are algorithmically connected to form a perfect square. Kim Whanki, a pioneer of Korean abstract art, presented a body of work that clearly expresses Korean sentiment while embodying formal beauty and color that resonates globally. Notably, the "Universe" used in this project was sold for 13.2 billion KRW at Christie’s Hong Kong auction in 2019, setting a record as the highest price ever paid for Korean artwork, attracting significant attention.
Yoon Na-eon, curator of Lotte Department Store’s Art Contents Team, explained, "This wine is the result of two years of coordination with the Whanki Foundation." She added, "Universe is the only work for which the artist left a diary record of the creative process, along with his reflections on alcohol, believing that one must drink to become a genius." She further noted, "Universe is the only work by Kim Whanki that, when the two panels are placed side by side, forms a square measuring 254×254 cm. It is considered one of Korea’s finest abstract paintings, embodying Kim Whanki’s philosophical contemplation, artistic conviction, and unique visual language."
Exterior view of the 'Don Melcho 2021 X Kim Hwan-ki Universe' pop-up store opened at AvenueL, Lotte Department Store Main Branch, Jamsil, Seoul.
Through this project, Don Melchor, featuring Kim Whanki’s artwork, is the iconic wine of Vi?a Don Melchor, a winery separated from Vi?a Concha y Toro, one of Chile’s leading wineries. The Puente Alto region, where Don Melchor is produced, is one of the most highly regarded wine regions in Chile. Don Melchor carefully manages its vineyards by dividing them into seven parcels according to the unique characteristics of the soil.
The Don Melchor 2021 vintage is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, matured for 15 months in French oak barrels. The deep ruby-colored wine features rich and elegant aromas of red fruits such as cherry, black currant, violet, and vanilla. On the palate, it offers delicate tannins and a long finish, with aging potential exceeding 40 years. This limited release of 3,000 bottles saw its 300 pre-sale bottles sold out, and it will be available nationwide at Lotte Department Stores starting from this day.
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