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Hong Kong Wine and Spirits Fair (4 - 6 November 2010)
Record Number of Exhibitors to Join Hong Kong Wine Fair
The 3rd edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair will run from 4-6 November, with a record number of close to 700 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions including the event’s partner country, Australia – the third-largest supplier of wine to Hong Kong.
The fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has been organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The nations with the largest overseas presence at the fair include Australia, France, Italy and Spain, which are represented by a combined total of more than 370 exhibitors, more than double last year’s figure.
“Since the elimination of duties on wine and beer in 2008, local wine-related business has experienced robust growth. Total wine imports into Hong Kong increased by 72 per cent in the first nine months of 2010, reaching a value of HK$4.67 billion,” said Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC. “In addition, the city is now the second-largest centre for wine auctions in the world, overtaking London and now only behind New York.”
Australia as Partner Country
Joining Mr Chau at a press conference about the event today were Linda Yan, Acting Senior Trade Commissioner of the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade); Jean Charles Crouin, Director of Asia, Sopexa; Romano Baruzzi, Italian Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong; and Javier Sanz Muňoz, Senior Trade Commissioner of the Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong.
Among the many Australia activities taking place at the fair, a key highlight will be the Vino Syrah/Shiraz Forum which will gather renowned vineyards producing Shiraz. Companies from Australia, Chile, the United States and more will participate.
“There will be many interactive seminars introducing the different wine-producing regions of Australia, and the wine-tasting sessions and workshops will allow participants to learn more about Australian wine,” said Ms Yan.
Special Events
The Fair will also offer more than 30 side activities including the Italian Cuisine World Summit which offers culinary demonstrations & wine at the Italian Pavilion. Guest master chefs, many of them from Michelin-star restaurants, will reveal their food preparation secrets at a cooking class and offer the audience a chance to sample their creations matched with some of the best Italian wines.
The Asian Top Sommeliers’ Summit will bring leading sommeliers from around the world together to further develop their knowledge and skill. The Wine Industry Conference will offer insights on topics such as wine production on the Chinese mainland, and a series of master classes are being organised by the Institute of Masters of Wine, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the Asia Wine Service and Education Centre (AWSEC).
Friends of Wine
The fair will also feature special sections including those focusing on Liquor & Beverage Products, Wine Accessories & Equipment as well as Wine Services. One section called Friends of Wine will showcase items which complement wine, such as baked products, confectionery, biscuits, fresh seafood as well as spaghetti and pasta.
Wine storage and management will also be under the spotlight with representatives from the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency talking about their recently launched Wine Storage and Management Certification Scheme. Accredited facilities such as Crown Wine Cellars, DHL and Supply Chain Solutions will speak about their best practices.
The second edition of the highly-popular Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition will return to the fair, operated in collaboration with the renowned London International Wine & Spirit Competition. Some 1,300 wines were entered this year and the international guest judge will be Tim Atkin, a multi-award-winning wine writer. This year has a new addition of “Spirits” category and also new for the wine-and-food-pairing trophy is Best Wine with Sashimi. The other four existing categories are for Best Wine with Dim Sum, Kung Pao Chicken, Braised Abalone and Peking Duck respectively. The award presentation will be held during the black-tie dinner on 4 Nov.
Public Visitors
The Fair will be open to the public aged 18 or above on the last day, 6 November, with tickets on sale at selected Circle K convenience stores and fairground for HK$200 per person. Public visitors will be able to take part in The Most Beloved Wine voting game, with the award presentation ceremony taking place on the same day. Public visitors can also gain insights at three practical seminars on topics such as “How to Build a Winning Wine Collection,” “Australian Wine ABCs” and “Tips on Matching Wine with Asian Cuisine.”
In addition to wine tastings and master classes for the public, the Wine Gallery will feature a wide variety of wines, wine accessories and books from around 10 countries and regions, with a focus on those from Australia. On a first-come-first-served basis, public visitors may receive a free Lucaris crystal wine glass, sponsored by Kung Kai Hong & Co.
In conjunction with the Fair, around 100 participating restaurants around town will waive their corkage charges with a coupon that can be obtained from the Visitor Promotion Counter at the Fair. Members of AsiaMiles will also be able to enjoy up to 1,000 complimentary miles when they purchase wine or spirits from exhibitors at the Fair on 6 November.
Hong Kong International Wine and Spirirts Fair website: www.hktdc.com/hkwinefair
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