At a recent blind tasting competition between Chinese wine and Bordeaux in Beijing, the results were surprising. Chinese wine took the top four places, but it wasn’t exactly a thrashing of the world’s most elite wines by Chinese upstarts. (Reuters)

The wines were all red, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux-style blends. The Chinese side was represented by five of what are considered among the best Chinese wines produced; the French wines were five more pedestrian reds from Bordeaux negociants and commercial labels, not chateau-bottled wines. Prices range from 200 yuan to 350 yuan.

Five French and five Chinese judges tasted the wines blind at a wine bar in Beijing. In the end, the 2009 Chairman’s Reserve from China’s Grace Vineyards in Ningxia province came out on top.

In second place was Silver Heights’ “The Summit” 2009; in third was 2009 Jiabeilan. Grace Vineyards’ Deep Blue 2009 took fourth place. Like all the Chinese wines in the tasting they too were from Ningxia, a small, sparsely populated region in north-central China.

Fifth place went to Saga Medoc 2009 from Barons de Rothschild Collection, a commercial label from the owner of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, which scored the highest of the French wines in the tasting.

The tasting shows that Chinese wines are beginning to come into their own and have the potential to become great, said Jim Boyce, a China wine expert who helped organize the event who runs grapewallofchina.com, a blog about Chinese wine.

“There is the soil, the climate, the skill to take all the elements and make even foreign judges say ‘this is good’,” he said. “These wines can compete.”

The chinese taste bud for ‘sweeter, fruiter wine’ is at the early stage of development and will change as they taste more and develop their pallate.

French wine and champagne producers Chateau Lafite, Pernod Ricard SA and Moet-Chandon have invested in planting vineyards in China, aiming to produce quality wines and develop their brands in what is expected to become the world’s largest wine-consuming market.

While most of the wine produced in China is inexpensive bulk, quality wine is appearing from vineyards in Ningxia, Gansu and Shandong provinces.

Ningxia in particular is gaining attention because Jiabeilan recently won an award for excellence from the British wine magazine Decanter.

“Some of the Chinese wines are way more ‘oaky’ than what we are doing in Bordeaux for this price,” said Thomas Briollet, who has worked in China for seven years with wine importers and as export manager for French wine producers.

“The quality was equivalent between the wines. No one was really on top, and maybe one or two was under,” Briollet said.

The wines were in a similar price category because of a 50-percent tax on imported wine, and given that choice, the Chinese wines were better, he said.

“Ningxia wines have sweeter, more fruity tannins, and are rounder on the palate,” said John Gai, chief operating officer of the Beijing-based wine distributor 90 Points and one of the Chinese judges.

Gai picked Grace Vineyard’s Chairman’s Reserve, the eventual winner, as his top choice.

“It definitely has more structure and more fruit side, and has a much bigger effect on the palate,” he said. “Ningxia wines are soft and easier to drink.”

The other wines in the tasting were 2009 Mouton-Cadet; 2009 Calvet Medoc Reserve de L’Estey; 2008 Cordier Prestige, and 2008 Kressman Grande Reserve St. Emilion from Bordeaux, and 2009 Silver Heights Family Reserve from Ningxia.

Source: Terril Yue Jones, Reuters

If you think you’ve tasted most of everything, come join us tomorrow at the Wine Century Club headed up by JC Viens and Winebuzz.hk tasting of Wines of Asia tomorrow. Discover for yourself how Asia is gearing up to become a player in the world of wine! You will taste wines from India, Thailand, China and Japan.

The venue is the usual Tastings Wine Bar in Central.

The wines for this gathering will be generously donated by Century Club Member Claudio Salgado (private collection) and the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Competition.

 Details

• The Wines of Asia @ Wine Century Club, Hong Kong Chapter
• Where: Tastings Wine Bar, Basement, Yuen Yick Bldg, 27 & 29 Wellington st, Central, HK ( Map)
• When: 19 November (Saturday), 6 to 8 PM
• Price: HKD 250 (includes HKD 200 sampler card + canapés)
•  Please RSVP to: hkwinecenturyclub@grandepassione.com

About the Wine Century Club:
The aim of this club is to bring together like-minded wine lovers with a passion for discovering lots of different grape varieties and, most importantly, to have a lot of fun! Membership is granted once you’ve tasted 100 different grape varieties; however, since this is a new chapter it’s not a pre-requisite and everyone who loves wine is welcome.

Robert Parker Jr. Magical 20 Bordeaux wine tasting from the 2009 vintage at Wine Future Hong Kong was one of the summit’s highlight event for alot of people. Robert Parker Jr. described the selection the 20 wines from the 2009 vintage of  as the greatest tasting of young wine ever.

Parker was an engaging speaker who opened the tasting by telling the audience how he came to discover and became obsessed with wine on a trip to France  during college and how he only drank wine because it was cheaper than Coca-Cola.
 
Bordeaux according to Parker is the benchmark against all other great wines and winemakers are judged. “It is the reference point.” Parker provided some insights and what to look for in a great wine- perfect balance in the fruit, acidity, wood barrel and alcohol. A great wine have to have the ability to improve with age, is well integrated and have purity, an intensity that does not feel heavy.

“For my tasting at WineFuture Hong Kong, I have chosen estates that produce wines of ‘first growth quality’ although technically not first growths…and because of that are under-valued and very smart acquisitions” – Robert Parker Jr.

He said that the 2009 vintage is a fantastic vintage and thought that the tannins were sweeter and better integrated that he had remember them in the barrel. Each of the wine tasted was described by Parker and he also introduced each of the representative from the 20 Chateaux.
The wines to be tasted and the Châteaux representatives are:

1. Chateau Haut Bailly

2. Chateau Rauzan-Segla

3. Chateau Brane-Cantenac

4. Chateau Malescot St.Exupery

5. Chateau Palmer

6. Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

7. Chateau Pape Clement

8. Chateau La Fleur- Petrus

9. Chateau La Conseillante

10. Chateau Trotonay

11. Chateau Le Gay

12. Chateau Leoville Las Cases

13. Chateau Leoville Poyferre

14. Chateau Pichon Lalande

15. Chateau Lynch-Bages

16. Chateau Pichon Baron

17. Chateau Pontet Canet

18. Chateau Cos D’Estournel

19. Chateau Clos Fourtet

20. Chateau Angelus

Jancis Robinson MW‘s held her grand tasting of wines Beyond Bordeaux on the second day of Wine Future on 7 November 2011. Her selection of wines were based on wines that ‘stimulate your taste buds with from corners of the wine world that deserve more attention’.

Keeping true to her word, Jancis Robinson, who admits to being a champion of the underdog selected 15 wines for her grand tasting at Wine Future in Hong Kong from all over the world -Brazil, Australia, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, Chile, California, Argentina, Toscana, Piemonte, Burgundy, Rhone, South Africa, Turkey and even China.

Here’s the wine list from Jancis Robinson MW, Beyond Bordeaux Tasting-

1. Brazil – Geisse Brut 1998 in magnum
2. Australia – Shaw and Smith – M3 Chardonnay 2010 Adelaide Hills
3. Germany – Dr. Loosen, Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett 2008 Mosel
4. Austria – Jurtschitsch, Grüner Veltliner Schenkenbichl 2009, Kamptal DAC Reserve
5. NZ – Felton Road, Cornish Point Vineyard 2010 Central Otago
6. Burgundy – Louis Jadot, Clos St Jacques Premier Cru 1990 Gevrey Chambertin
7. Turkey – Kavaklidere, Prestige Öküzgözü 2008 Elazig
8. Piemonte – Gaja 2008 Barbaresco
9. Rhône – Tardieu Laurent, Cuvée Spéciale 2006 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
10. Toscana – Antinori, Tignanello 2001 Toscana
11. Argentina – Catena Zapata, Catena Alta Malbec 2000 Mendoza
12. China – Grace Vineyard, Tasya’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Shanxi
13. Chile – Almaviva 2005 Puente Alto
14. South Africa – Vergelegen 2000 Stellenbosch
15. California – Ridge Monte Bello 1995 Santa Cruz Mountains

At the recent Wine Future (6 – 8 November 2011) summit held at AsiaWorldExpo, we saw 50 of the biggest wine personalities including Angelo Gaja, Francis Ford Copola, Robert Parker, Jancis Robinson MW, Tim Atkin MW, Lisa Perroti Brown MW, Michel Bettane, James Suklin and our very own Debra Meiburg MW, Jennie Cho Lee MW plus lots of other big names in wine come together to discuss the current hot topics in the wine world, spread across 12 panels.

With topics ranging from new wine styles, doing business and selling wines in Asia, wine marketing strategies, education solutions and Asian palates, to the use of Internet and social media in this traditional world, it was wine discussion on speed! As expected with a line-up like that, it was a smashing success and we definitely went away with a lot of insight and new ideas.

The highlight of the summit was the 3 grand tasting events held on separate days.

For the first day of Wine Future on November 6, Pancho Campo MW, organizer and President of The Wine Academy, led the “Spanish Wines: Passion and Diversity” tasting, showcasing the best of Spanish wines where Pancho took the audience though a tour of his video interviews with winemakers across the Spanish wine region. We even got to see Pancho’s various collection of cars and motorcycles as the debonair MW zips through Spain’s scenic wine country.

Here’s the wine list from Pancho Campo MW’s Spanish Wines: Passion and Diversity-

1. DO Rías Baixas – Pazo Señorans 2010

2. DO Cava – Celler Batlle 2001

3. DO Penedés – Mas La Plana 2007

4. DOQ Priorat – Ferrer-Bobet 2008

5. DO Amporda – Finca Garbet 2005

6. DO Navarra – Pago de Cirsus Selección de Familia 2005

7. DOP Dominio de Valdepusa – Emeritus 2005

8. DOP Terrerazo – Quincha Corral 2007

9. DOCa Rioja – Barón de Chirel 2008

10. DOCa Rioja – Trasnocho 2005

11. DOCa Rioja – Finca El Bosque 2007

12. DO Ribera del Duero – Aalto PS 2005

13. DO Toro – Termanthia 2006

14. DO Campo de Borja – Aquilon 2007

15. DO Jumilla – El Nido 2008

16. DO Sherry – Amontillado del Duque VORS

17. DOP Montilla Moriles – Gran Barquero Pedro Ximénez

photo source: http://www.lucianopignataro.it

There have been lots of big wine tasting events over the last couple of weeks and, though late, the “Grand Tasting of Top Wines from Spain” is an important event deserving of coverage.

Held at The Mira Hotel on Monday, 17 October, 2011, and organized by Wines from Spain, this tasting showcased the best of Spanish wines with premium, high-scoring wines from a country with one of the most long-standing wine-making traditions in history. A total of 70 wineries from 32 regions participated in the grand tasting, and every winery presented their ‘over 90 points’ Robert Parker-rated wines.

We tasted cava, whites, reds and sherries where 250 wines and 35 grape varieties were presented. We were delighted to discover how Spanish wine has successfully merged traditional and modern wine-making techniques to produce modern, elegant and fresh wines true to the ‘terroir’ from various regions of Spain.

Three wines that particularly stood out at the tasting for us were:

1) Felix Callejo 2005 from Bodegas Felix Callejo – 93RP

A wine made from 100% Tempranillo aged in New French Oak for 15 months. It has immense concentration that will cellar well.

Where to buy: Watson’s Wine Cellar. www.watsonswine.com Tel: 2606 8828

2) Caus Lubis 2000 from Can Rafols dels Caus – 90RP

A wine made from 100% Merlot aged in New French Oak for 12 months. A very elegant wine as a merlot, that has still plenty of concentration after so much time in the bottle. It is ready to drink now.

Where to buy: Watson’s Wine Cellar. www.watsonswine.com Tel: 2606 8828

3) Prado Enea Grand Reserva 2004 from Bodegas Muga – 94RP

A wine made from 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha aged in both American and French Oak for three years. This is a wine that is only made in good years, and this 2004 is expressive and round on the palate.

Where to buy: Montrose Fine Wine. 24/F Wanchai Central Building, 89 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Tel: 2555 8877

Story contributed by Haigan Wong, a wine consultant whose passion for wine has seen him travelling to wine countries, particularly Spain and Portugal, to discover the best the industry has to offer. He is also the Director of Adega Royale, a company that specializes in importing and distributing gourmet food and wine from overseas to Hong Kong.

We’ve been busy co-organizing this event all month long – and the Vinitaly Wine Affair turned out to be the (wine) love affair Hong Kong has been waiting for.

Held last night at Zelo in Pacific Place Mall, we used it a sneak preview for Vinitaly to show off their wines before today’s big trade event the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair – brought out all over 100 wines to taste from Italy’s biggest wine producers and taste not only the best cheeses and hams but amazing food prepared by the top Michelin-starred chefs Luca Collami, Pietro Rongoni, Marco Sacco and Sergio Vineis.

Check out our photo gallery below:

Vinitaly, the largest wine fair organizers in the world, is bringing the largest number of Italian wine producers to the Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Fair. Italy is also the country partner of the Fair this year, so expect to see lots of Italian producers there this year. This is a rare opportunity to taste over 100 wines from top Italian producers like Allegrini, Casa Vinicola Antonutti, Casa Vinicola Sartori, Casa Vinicola Zonin, Castello Banfi, Castello D’Albola, Conte D’Attimis Manigo, Ferrari, Santa Margherita, Marchesi di Barolo, Medici Ermete e Figli, Santa Margherita, Tenuta Santa Maria Alla Pieve, Tenute Grandi & Gabbana, Terredora, Toblar, Villa Rubini and lots more.

If you’re coming to the HKIWSF this week - click here to check out the exciting Vinitaly events as the head country this year brings Italian wine into the main spotlight.

Sweet Bordeaux had a succesful tasting at Hullet House last night in Tsim Sha Tsui where many producers came out to showcase the sweet side of Bordeaux.

Separated into 2 sessions so that everyone could get a chance to taste before and after dinner – it seemed that the early session decided not to leave and the later session got so packed it spilled out into the beautiful Hullet House courtyard.

Check out our photo gallery below – and don’t forget to like them on Facebook to get updates on the next tasting:

Festival of Restaurants is the big week of special menus at some of Hong Kong’s most exciting restaurants, happening November 7-13th.

To kick it off, the people behind Festival of Restaurants 2011 and Winebuzz.hk are inviting 5 lucky readers to join us at J-A-R on Tuesday, November 1, to preview their FoR menu and to meet with the chef, the organizers of Festival of Restaurants and the editorial director of Winebuzz.hk!

If interested in this fantastic prize, post a comment below telling us your Top 3 restaurants in Hong Kong and why you like them, and we’ll pick the 5 best entries to join us next Tuesday for a fabulous evening of food, wine and interesting conversation with an eclectic group of people. Entries need to be in by Monday morning and winners will be notified on Tuesday morning.

Click here to find more about Festival of Restaurants and watch this video:

UPDATE: Contest is closed – thanks all for entering and see the winners tonight!

Want to see if you really know your wines? Well here’s a unique opportunity to truly blind taste wine at the Wine Tasting in the Dark event.  An interesting experience for wine aficionados and those that want to sharpen their tasting senses. As part of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine month of wine and dine events, organizers Dialogue in the Dark have lined up four sessions to experience this unique event from 29 October to the end of the year.

Wine Tasting in the Dark  will enhance your wine tasting skills and take it to a different level where aromas and textures become more vivid in complete darkness. The two hour session is led by experienced wine educator Jennifer Luk, and is available in both English and Cantonese.

How Much?  HK$550 per person

Details:

• When: 29 October 2011 – English session; 5 November 2011 – Cantonese session; 12 November 2011 – English session; and 19 November 2011 – Cantonese session
• Time: 7pm – 9pm
• Where: DIALOGUE IN THE DARK Experience Center Shop at 215, 2/F, The Household Centre Nob Hill, 8 King Lai Path, Mei Foo Kowloon, Hong Kong
• Telephone: 2891 0438