Hong Kong : The sixth HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opens next month with more than 1,000 exhibitors from nearly 40 countries and regions expected to take part. The three day event, 7-9 November, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), will include first-time exhibitors from Jordan, 
Spain: Partner Country
Close to 30 pavilions will participate, including Spain, this year’s Partner Country, which will bring more than 90 exhibitors to the fair. France and Italy, the two largest pavilions, will feature a combined total of more than 300 exhibitors. Several pavilions new to the fair will also take part: the Chinese mainland’s Penglai Vine and Wine Bureau, Japan’s Kagoshima Prefectural Government and Niigata Sake Brewers Association, Wines of Turkey and the US’s North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Sweet and Fortified
Nearly 60 events will take place, from master wine classes to the fifth Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition Award Presentation Ceremony. ICEX Spain Trade and Investment will organise several seminars and wine-tasting sessions, ranging from sweet and fortified, to food pairing, white and sparkling, and every red but Tempranillo. The Wines from Spain and Spanish Trade Commission (Hong Kong) will present “Finest Wines from Spain – Grand Tasting,” a Spanish fine-wine tasting session; wine from 19 Spanish wineries will be available. Other fine wine-tasting sessions will feature top German Riesling wine and premium port wine.
The Japan External Trade Organisation will organise several tasting sessions featuring Japanese sake. The Wine and Spirit Education Trust will present “A Tasting Journey through Gin: Uncovering Styles and Flavours” on 7 November, and “Alternative Bubbles, Sparkling Wines Beyond Champagne” on 8 November. Cocktail demonstrations will be held in the Ice Bar throughout the fair.
Global Wine Trends
Other fair highlights will include the Wine Industry Conference, 7 November, under the theme “Driving Growth: Global Wine Industry Trends.” The Asia Top Sommelier Summit will take place 8 November, presenting “The New Mapping of a World-Class Wine List.” The Gala Wine Dinner, 7 November, will be celebrated with the theme “Winds from Spain” in honour of the fair’s Partner Country. Trade buyers can take part in “The Favourite Wine Voting Game,” featuring five categories: red wine, white wine, spirits, Japanese sake and other; participants may win coupons for the HKTDC Design Gallery.
The fair’s last day will be open to the public. Individuals will be able to purchase wine from exhibitors. The Asia Wine Service & Education Centre will host a seminar, “To Drink or Not to Drink,” looking at how wine attracts drinkers and whether money is well-spent. Debra Meiburg will host a master class, “Yum Cha, Yum Jiu: Chinese Sauces and Wine.” Her latest book, Debra Meiburg’s Guide to the Hong Kong Wine Trade, will be launched on public day.
Cognac, Single Malt and More
Notable spirits at the fair will include Remy Martin’s limited edition Louis XIII Black Pearl Magnum, available from Amazing Wine Global Ltd, at HK$500,000 a bottle. Other highlights: Exotic Domaine de Canton, which blends Vietnamese ginger, Tahitian vanilla beans, French Provencal honey and Tunisian ginseng; Suigei Kochikobo Daiginjohas, which has won the gold prize in the Japan National New Sake Competition for five straight years; and Taiwan’s Kavalan Single Malt Whisky, named ‘the New World’s Whisky of the Year.”
Admission Prices and Special Offers
Public Day admission is HK$200. Admission for each fine wine-tasting session and Ms Meiburg’s master class is HK$500 and HK$350 respectively, with the fair’s HK$200 entry fee included. But from 18 October to 6 November, visitors can purchase the public day (9 November) admission ticket for HK$99 on Bee Crazy. Fairgoers can also enjoy an early-bird price of HK$250 for each fine wine-tasting session by visiting Funshare.com, between 19 October and 30 October.
Source : ACN Newswire