Debra Meiburg – our favorite Hong Kong-based Master of Wine – has put together something the local wine market needs…badly, in our opinion!

Since 2008′s deregulation, Hong Kong’s wine market is as hard to chart as it is red-hot. With 40 winemakers a day sending them requests for advice, F&B professionals are bemoaning the glut of importers and wine lovers still unsure as to where to find a great Grüner Veltliner. So, to tackle this challenge the team at Meiburg Wine Media sensed a book-shaped hole in the market.

Featuring a comprehensive importer directory and a market report based on 386 importer surveys, plus groundbreaking consumer and industry research, importer profiles and top portfolio lists, this Guide contains everything you need to know about Asia’s wine hub.

The Guide will be released at the HK International Wine and Spirits Fair and again at WineFuture 2011 – head over to www.debramasterofwine.com/products to pre-order your copy today.

Besides following us on Twitter at @winebuzzHK, you’re missing out communicating to Ms. Meiburg directly @DebraMeiburgMW

The size, sophistication and spending power of the Chinese consumer is quickly changing the way the beverage industry does business. In a few short years, a growing population of well educated, increasingly young Chinese have developed a taste for wine. At the International Beverage Exhibition, held this July 14-16 in Shenzhen, the 2nd year the fair is running we see how the wine market is taking shape.
 

Representing a massive increase from last year, 12,000 buyers and fine beverage enthusiasts descended on Shenzhen for the annual exhibition that brings together a huge array of beverage providers, wine producers, importers, trade and consumer. One of the more interesting part of the exhibition – and most telling in terms of China’s changing tastes – was the annual beverage competition. It attracted 400 international entries in a wide variety of categories which included  traditional Chinese spirits and cocktail favorites alongside wines.

When the dust settled, thirty-five beverages were awarded medals but, obviously, our eyes here at Winebuzz were on the wines. The judges’ panel was headed by Amy Mumma, director and founder of the World Wine program of Central Washington and consisted of an international cast of experts including Mr. Peter Kwong, Chief Star Sommelier, The Highest World Ranking Chinese Sommelier Hong Kong and Henry Ho, The President of Hong Kong Wine Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce. (full list of the judges here.)

Award Winning Wines at the International Beverage Exhibition in Shenzhen

Red Wine

Best in Show-

• Chateau de La Ligne Cuvee Prestige 2005 (Chateau de La Ligne)

Gold-

• Alfaraz Reserva 2006 (Asian Fortune Enterprises Ltd)
• Silver- Bronze- Chateau De Braude 2006 (Excellent & Balanced Wines)
• Olsen Estate Red (Vinum Importing)
• US One, Cabernet Franc (Guangzhou Coastal Trading Co, Ltd)

Bronze-

• For A Song Merlot (Vinum Importing)
• Roche Fourcade (Coteaux du Terral)
• Blue Shark (Shenzhen Fa Li Jia Trading Co, Ltd)
• Carnelian 2007 (Velrety(Shenzhen) Wine Co, Ltd)
• US Three, Zinfandel (Guangzhou Coastal Trading Co, Ltd)
• Quinta dos Avidagos Reserva 2007 (Asian Fortune Enterprises, Ltd)
• US Two, Merlot (Guangzhou Coastal Trading Co, Ltd)

White Wine

Best in Show, Gold-

• Chateau des Matards (Guangzhou iThings Brewery Co, Ltd)

Silver-

• Cosmino2004/i/Pollenza (ThreeBond Hong Kong Co, Ltd)

Dessert Wine

Best in Show, Gold-

• Orpailleur Icewine 2008 (St. Lawrence International Trading Co, Ltd)

Details 

• Next year’s IBEC, which will take place at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center from 29-31 August 2012.
• For more information, visit  http://www.ib-ec.com/index.php

We wrote about the competition way back in June and the results are finally in!

One of the main events at the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair was the winners picks in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition.

The judges came from Hong Kong, India, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, People’s Republic of China and South Korea, and all results were independently audited by KPMG.

The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC, run by the IWSC Group Ltd (owner of the prestigious London-based 40 year-old International Wine and Spirit Competition), is the only competition to hold food and wine pairing that provides Asians with an easy and informative way to explore and enjoy the wonderful world of wines and spirits, under the guidance of competition Director’s Debra Meiburg, one of the first Master of Wines (MWs) in Asia, as well as Hong Kong-based food and wine expert Simon Tam.

Simon, Director of Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC, said; “Chinese cuisine is universally popular, but many people find identifying the perfectly paired wine with Chinese food difficult. With no other wine competition in the world awarding trophies for wine paired with specific Chinese dishes, we expect gourmands everywhere will be eagerly anticipating the results.”

For Asia, Japan took home two trophies, one Silver Medal and four Bronze, while Thailand followed closely behind with one trophy, one Silver and nine Bronze medals. China took home one trophy, one Silver and five Bronze medals, while India, which submitted only three wines, won two Bronze. Australia and New Zealand were the stars of the competition, Australia winning 11 trophies, 14 Gold, 48 Silver and over 150 Bronze awards. New Zealand won seven trophies, 13 Gold, 38 Silver and over 88 Bronze Awards.

Awarded trophies included ‘Best Wine from…’ China: Grace Vineyard, Deep Blue 2008, Japan: Château Mercian Kikyogahara Merlot 2006, and Thailand: Siam Winery Trading Plus Moonsoon Valley Curvee de Siam Rouge 2008.

While Food & Wine matching trophies included ‘Best Wine with Cantonese Dim Sum’ awarded to New Zealand Torlesse 2007 Pinot Noir and ‘Best Wine with Braised Abalone’ to New Zealand Domain Road Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir. Japan’s Chuo Budoshu Company’s Grace Koshu 2009 won ‘Best Wine with Sashimi,’ Greece’s Monemvasia St George Regional Red Dry Wine 2006 won ‘Best Wine with Peking Duck’ while ‘Best Wine with Kung Pau Chicken’ went to USA’s Hahn Family Wines Hahn Monterey Pinot Noir 2009.

Spirit trophies: ‘Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15 years & under’ went to Morrison Bowmore Distiller’s Bowmore 15 YO Darkest. ‘Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky over 15 years’ was awarded to the Edrington Group’s Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky 18 years old, and ‘Best Cognac’ was awarded to Delamain XO Grande Champagne Cognac.

Wine Gold Medals: totaling 66 (Wine 41, Spirits 4, Food & Wine 21), Australia won the most Gold Medals (14), followed by New Zealand (13). France (4), Argentina (2), USA (2), Italy (2), South Africa (2), Germany (1) and Spain (1).

Spirit Gold Medals: The Edrington Group took home two Gold Medals for their Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky 25 Years Old and Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky 18 Years Old. Morrison Bowmore Distiller’s Bowmore 15 YO Darkest won a Gold, with the final award going to Delamain XO Grande Champagne Cognac.

Award categories:

Varietals
Best Merlot, Best Pinot Noir, Best Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Blends, Best Shiraz/Syrah, Best Touriga Nacional and Touriga Blends, Best Other Reds, Best Sauvignon Blanc Best Chardonnay, Best Riesling and Best Other.
Stylistic categories
Best Sweet Wine, Best Fortified Wine and Best Sparkling Wine
Regionals
Best Italian Red, Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Best Australia Shiraz, Best South African Red wine, Best New World Pinot Noir, Best New World Chardonnay and Best New World Riesling.
Asia’s Best
Best Wine From China, Best Wine From Japan, Best Wine From Thailand, Best Wine From India.
“Best Value Wine” at key price points
Best Bordeaux 750ml below HK$300, Best Wine with Bubbles 750ml below HK$40, Best White Wine in Hong Kong below HK$150 and Best Red Wine in Hong Kong below HK$200.
Cuisine-specific categories
The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC aims to help consumers use the competition results to enhance their everyday dining experiences with perfectly matched wines. Cuisine-specific categories include: ‘Best Wine Paired with..’ Sashimi, Peking Duck, Cantonese Dim Sum, Kung Pao Chicken and Braised Abalone.

To check out the full results go to http://www.asiasbestwinesandspirits.com/

JC Viens is a wine educator and holder of the prestigious Diploma Level 4, WSET and a certified International Bordeaux Educator. He is an avid wine lover and selects the Ben Rye 2007 from Italy, origin of some of the most rewarding wines.

Ben Rye Passito Di Pantelleria 2007 literally means “Son of the Wind” in Arabic after the plentiful breezes that sweep across the island of Pantelleria off the coast of Sicily where this outstanding wine originates. Arabs brought the Zibibbo grapes to the island from North Africa hundreds of years ago.

Made with the “Appassimento” method so particular to Italy with grapes dried in the sun for 20-30 days to obtain extra concentrated sugars and flavours, this fascinating wine is lusciously sweet thanks to moscato’s telltale orange-blossom nose, with a diabolical intensity of apricot and peach, orange and grapefruit peels, dried figs, honey and sweet spices like cinnamon and cloves. The finish is extremely long, fresh and complex making it exceptional to pair with dark chocolate or cakes made with nuts and fruits.

Wine Stats:

• Name + year: Ben Rye 2007
• Appellation: Rye Passito Di Pantelleria 2007 Doc (Italy)
• Type of wine/ varietal: Zibibbo (Moscata D’Alessandria)
• Alcohol content: 14.5%

Wine rating:

• 5 stars

Where to buy?

• HKD$656 from ASC Fine Wines
• Tel: 3923 6723

JC Viens is a wine educator and holder of the prestigious Diploma Level 4, WSET and a certified International Bordeaux Educator. He is an avid wine lover and selects the Moscato D’Asti from Italy, origin of some of the most rewarding wines.

Moscato D’Asti is a delightful, intensely aromatic sparkling wine from the Piemonte region in the north-west of Italy. The  “La Galeisa” from Romano Dogliotti is crisp and light and, with only 5.5% alcoholic strength, it has a delicate mousse and is slightly sweet. Made from the moscato grape, it is extremely perfumed and gives aromas reminiscent of spring blossoms, peach and pears.

Food Pairing:

It is perfect as an aperitif but can very well match delicate and perfumed Asian dishes and desserts made with fruits.

Wine Stats:

• Name + year: Romano Dogliotti la Galeisa
• Appellation: Moscato D’Asti DOC
• Type of wine/ varietal: White sparkling
• Alcohol content: 5.4%

Wine rating:

• 5 stars

5 star= outstanding, 4 stars =worthy, 3 stars = satisfactory, 2 stars = drinkable, 1 star = avoid

Where to buy?

• HK$180 from First Wine.
• Tel: 2761 2779

Hong Kong’s very own Master Of Wine, Debra Meiburg, has just launched an online video series called “Meet the Winemaker” which is a charming “all-access” look at the wine industry and reveals the personal side of its movers and shakers.

Debra’s video offers an intimate look into the lives of the world’s most interesting and influential wine personalities including Ernst Loosen , Emmanuel Cruse from Chateau D’Issan, actor Sam Neil who has his own vineyard, and Cecile Bonnefond from Veuve Clicquot, among others.

Relaxed and easy-going, the interviews cover their struggles and triumphs, candid tasting notes, frank opinions on industry issues, and an all-important personal glimpse into what makes them tick.

Filmed in various locations throughout Hong Kong, episodes are produced on an ongoing basis and will be released weekly online.

To view more episodes of “Meet the Winemaker”, visit Debra’s website at www.debramasterofwine.com.

Alan Tsui is the sommelier at Sheraton Hong Kong, where wine is an important part of their offering. Their SkyLounge wine room stocks an exclusive rare wine list from around the world and was one of the first in the city to install the Enomatic Wine Dispenser; allowing it to serve the widest range of wine by the glass anywhere in Hong Kong.

Back to the wine selected, the Vins de Vinenne “Sotanum” 2003 is a wine produced by the Vins de Vienne vineyard in the Rhone Valley, France. The vineyard’s historical significance dates back to the times of the Roman Empire and the vineyards of Seyssuel were already known for their quality.

The forgotten vineyard was revived in 1996 by four top winemakers from the right bank of the Rhône; Pierre Gaillard, Francois Villard, Yves Cuilleron, and later on Pierre-Jean Villa. They planted the first Syrah vines in 1996 and have been producing 3 crus: Sotanum, Taburnum and Heluicum on the now 19 hectares vineyard. The Sotanum stays in oak barrels for 20 months and is a concentrated wine with ripe, rich flavours and a full, long finish.

According to wine critics, this is a label that deserve serious attention.

Tasting note:

Lovely aromas of lavender, graphite and violets precede a racy palate of black cherry, blackberry, tar, mineral and sanguine flavors. Pure and lengthy through the finish, with hints of olive and sage.

Food Pairing:

Ideal with roasted red meat.

Wine Stats:

• Name + year: Sotanum Les Vins de Vienne, 2003
• Appellation: Rhone, France
• Type of wine/ varietal: 100% Syrah
• Alcohol content: 13.5 %

Wine rating:

• 5 stars

5 star= outstanding, 4 stars =worthy, 3 stars = satisfactory, 2 stars = drinkable, 1 star = avoid

Where to buy?

• The Champagne Company. Tel: 2304 8065

Paolo Gorreri is the Manager of Grissini at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. This week for Winebuzz.hk’s expert wine picks, he selects a Franciacorta Cuvee Ca Del Bosco 2004.

Franciacorta Spumante is one of the most appreciated sparkling wines from Italy and the best alternative to Champagne. Made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco grapes, the sparkling wine is then fermented in the ‘traditional way’ for a period of time – quite long in this case of more than 25 months in the bottle.

The area of Franciacorta in Italy is situated in Lombardy, in the county of Brescia. The wine served in Grissini is specially labeled in the magnum bottle for the restaurant. The magnum bottle size is 1.5 liter, the equivalent of two standard bottles and you can get up to 10 full glasses from a bottle. We especially ordered the sparkling wine be bottled in magnum bottles because it ages better compared to regular bottles as there’s less oxygen to slow down the ageing process, thereby allowing for more nuance and complexity to develop in the evolution of the wine.

The bigger bottle also looks more dramatic and impressive, and is great for occasions in which it is being served – ie celebrations!

Tasting note:

It has a great golden color and fine, persistent perlage or bubble. On the palate, it has a mild aftertaste of vanilla. It is smooth and pleasantly distinctive.

Food Pairing:

Great as an aperitif or with pair with any kind of seafood.

Wine Stats:

• Name + year: Brut, Franciacorta Ca del Bosco
• Appellation: Franciacorta, Lombardia (DOCG)
• Type of wine/ varietal: White sparkling
• Alcohol content: 12.5 %

Wine rating:

• 5 stars

5 star= outstanding, 4 stars =worthy, 3 stars = satisfactory, 2 stars = drinkable, 1 star = avoid

Where to buy?

• At Grissini, it is HK$ 210 by the glass or HK$1950 per magnum bottle

Nicolas Pierron is Island Shangri-La’s Head Sommelier. This week for WInebuzz.hk’s expert wine picks,  he selects a Pinotage from Top of the Hill, South Africa.

Top of the Hill is only produced in exceptional vintages and only when the current, ninth generation winemaker, Daniel de Waal deems it suitable for release.   The name, Top of the Hill is derived from the fact that the vines are planted on top of the hill and exposed to the sun.

The uniqueness of this wine comes from the vines which are more than 45 years old.  On your first glass, you will be surprised by the dark ink-ish colour and intense flavours of rich black plums, cigars, dark chocolate and spices.  It’s a full-bodied wine with a long lasting fruit taste on the palate and with smooth tannins. This wine is not the usual South African pinotage with lots of fruits and an absence of depth.   On the contrary, the wine has been aged well in French oak for 12 months and only released a few years later at its optimum drinking time.

Top of the Hill reflects a particular terroir and the winemaking tradition of the De Waal family.  At Restaurant Petrus, I usually use this wine in a blind tasting and most of the guests think that it originates from the Rhone Valley or is an old world wine.  The production of this Pinotage is limited to 200 cases of six bottles.

Food Pairing

With the game season starting, the Pinotage Top of the Hill is the perfect match for venison, partridge, hare or even with beef if you are a steak lover.

Wine Stats

• Name + year: Pinotage, Top of The Hill, DeWaal, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2002
• Appellation: wine of origin Stellenbosch
• Type of wine/ varietal: Pinotage
• Alcohol content: 13,5% Vol
• Price: HK$890 per bottle or HK$180 per glass

Wine Expert Rating

• 5 stars

5 star= outstanding, 4 stars =worthy, 3 stars = satisfactory, 2 stars = drinkable, 1 star = avoid

Where to buy?

• It is available at Restaurant Petrus at HK$890 per bottle or HK$180 per glass
• Sheffied Limited Tel:  (852) 2488 8517

Jordi Chan is the sommelier at Peninsula Hotel. For our wine pick this week, he selects the Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2005 by Star Lane.

Star Lane is a vineyard located on the lower slopes of the San Rafael Mountains in Santa Ynez Valley, in sunny California. The terraine features a unique mix of weathered sand, gravel and alluvial cobbles over clay subsoil. With both excellent drainage and good water-holding capacity, these conditions mimic terrain found at the best vineyards in Bordeaux.

Their Sauvignon Blanc is bottled unfiltered after 10 months on fermentation lees (lees being the yeasty residue found in the cask); giving the wine a more rounded & creamy texture on the palate.

Tasting Notes

• White flowers, gooseberries and mandarin orange nose, with a taste of passionfruit and grapefruit. On the palate, refreshing acidity keeps the wine lively and well structured.

Food Pairing

• It is a delicious wine to pair with shellfish dishes, like mussel or clams with white wine sauce.

Wine Stats:

• Name + year: Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2005
• Appellation:  Santa Ynez Valley, California
• Type of wine/ varietals: Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol content: 13.5%
• Price: HK$650 per bottle

Wine Expert Rating

• 4 Stars

5 star= outstanding, 4 stars =worthy, 3 stars = satisfactory, 2 stars = drinkable, 1 star = avoid

Where to buy?

• Felix, The Peninsula Hong Kong. Tel: 2315 3188