Saturday, 4 November 2023, 5:54 pmArticle: ACN Newswire
The 15th HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits
Fair opened today and will run for three days (3 to 5
November) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
(HKCEC). More than 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and
regions showcase fine beverages, as well as wine-related
products and services, at this leading industry event in the
region.
The HKTDC’s Deputy Executive Director Sophia
Chong said: “As impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic fade out,
economic activities have returned to normal. The public have
been attending more social events, such as parties and
wedding ceremonies, boosting the consumption and sale of
wines. Reflecting all these factors and considering the
impact of a low base effect last year, Hong Kong’s wine
exports increased 41.6% to US$300 million (HK$2.35 billion)
between January and September this year.”
“Given Hong
Kong’s role as regional wine trade and distribution hub, the
annual wine fair organised by the HKTDC covers a wide
variety of fine-beverage promotion events, including
seminars, tasting sessions and receptions. The fair provides
good business-matching opportunities for the industry,
brings together wine sellers and buyers from Hong Kong,
Mainland China and overseas, and facilitates the market
penetration of wines and brands from around the world. The
last day of the fair will open to the public (tickets
required), giving suppliers a chance to test their products’
suitability for Asian palates,” she added.
In February
2008, as wine demand grew in Asia, the Hong Kong Government
removed all duty-related customs and administrative controls
on wine to foster the development of Hong Kong as a regional
hub for wine trade and distribution, particularly for
Mainland China. The mainland and Macao are Hong Kong’s
biggest markets, accounting for 69% of exports last
year.
In addition to wine trading and distribution,
wine-related activities in Hong Kong include auctions,
retailing, warehousing, catering and transport. The Census
and Statistics Department said 740 establishments imported
alcoholic drinks for wholesale last year, up from 310 in
2008. In the same period the number of stores specialising
in alcoholic beverage sales increased from 140 to
480.
Global exquisite-wine showcase
Themed
Sparkling Business Opportunities for the Wine Industry, the
fair presents a wide range of fine beverages, including
old-world wines from Italy, Germany and France, as well as
new world ones from Australia, Chile and Mainland China. The
fair also features Japanese sake, Hong Kong beer, Taiwanese
plum wine, whisky, gin, vodka and more.
The 11 group
pavilions from around the world – Australia, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Mainland China and the Hong Kong
General Chamber of Wine & Spirits and more – showcase a
wide range of products, including the
following:
As natural and organic agriculture
becomes a trend, the organic wine market continues to grow.
The fair features organic wines from Italy, France and
Canada.Chinese fine beverages from Ningxia, Sichuan
and Xinjiang also feature. Seizing the opportunity the
thriving Chinese fine-beverage market presents, a Hong Kong
exhibitor showcases premium wines from Yunnan, offering fair
participants the chance to taste top-notch Chinese fine
wine. Dance of the Clouds (booth number: 3B-E06) is an
exquisite creation from Yunnan Red Winery, crafted using the
Le Pourpre grape. Juice from the red-hued flesh of the grape
is exclusive to the vineyard.Wines from less-known
regions are also showcased, including Mare Santo Curvee
Prestige (booth number: 3C-D12) from Slovenia – a sparkling
wine carrying a wide and inviting aroma ranging from cedar
to green apple.Silver Bun-bin is a Hong Kong-made
distilled spirit with a complex aroma (booth number:
3C-B24). The product is distilled from fermented grains and
fruits, carrying a soft and sweet fruity aroma. It won
bronze prize in its first participation in HKGCWS Wine &
Spirits Judging Awards in 2019.Chako Peach &
Ginger Oolong Sparkling Tea Cocktail (booth number: 3C-C34)
is a vodka-based sparkling tea cocktail with the sweetness
of peach and an underlying ginger spiciness. This product
won a Silver Medal in an international competition, The
Spirits Business – Global Pre-Mixed & RTD Masters
2022.
The Wine and Spirits Fair also features
zones that promote the industry’s all-round development,
including Wine Education as well as Wine Accessories, and
Services. The Friends of Wine zone showcases
food-and-wine-pairing products.
Sustainable wine,
Chinese fine beverages under spotlight
More than 30
events – including tasting sessions, seminars and
masterclasses – will offer fair participants a chance to
sample global fine wines during the fair.
At the
Opening Reception tonight, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, will
be Guest of Honour. The first session of the Wine Industry
Conferences EcoVino: Sustainability Trends and Solutions
took place today and another session, Uncorking
Opportunities: Mapping the China & Asian Wine Markets
will be held tomorrow, when Master Sommelier Yang Lu and
industry elites discuss business opportunities in the
region.
Mainland fine-beverages are rapidly becoming
popular, creating a market trend. Multiple seminars and
tasting sessions will focus on business potential for baijiu
and Chinese wines in overseas markets. Fine alcohols from
Sichuan, Ningxia and Xinjiang will be introduced at the
fair. Participants can savour the unique Chinese flavours. A
Vino Joy News seminar titled China Uncorked: Navigating the
New Normal in Wine Trends will feature experts and
celebrities discussing post-pandemic wine trends in Mainland
China.
The fair will host four wine industry prize
presentation ceremonies and competitions. The award-giving
ceremonies of Cathay Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit
Competition 2023 and WineLuxe’s Top 10 Food and Wine Pairing
Restaurant Award are held today and tomorrow respectively.
The Hong Kong Bartenders Association hosts the Hong Kong
International Mixology Showdown 2023 today while WineLuxe’s
Hong Kong Best Gin Cocktail Awards 2023 will be held on
Public Day on Sunday.
Public Day welcomes wine
lovers
The last day of the Wine & Spirits Fair (5
November, Sunday) will be the Public Day and both buyers and
ticket-holding members of the public aged 18 or above are
welcome. Multiple highlight events will be held on Public
Day, including a tasting session hosted by experienced
sommelier Sammy Leung, who will explore wines from Gladstone
Vineyard in New Zealand; a Sip Around the World with CC
session hosted by another prominent wine critic Cecilia
Wong. Visitors can also sample and learn about more than 10
labels of whisky and other liquor at the Whisky &
Spirits Bar.
On Sunday, regular tickets are available
to the public onsite at a price of HK$200. They can also buy
the tickets at the special pre-event price of HK$99 through
HK01, HKTVMall, KKday, OpenRice, PopTicket, Price.com.hk, Trip.com,
Timable and WineNow. Ticket buyers will receive a Lucaris
crystal wine glass (original price: HK$110) on a first-come,
first-served
basis.
