Listed as one of the top 10 places to run a marathon by the Lonely Planet Guide, the “Marathon du Médoc” in Bordeaux will be held this year on 11 September. Organized in the spirit of “health, sport, conviviality and fun,” it literally becomes a celebration fully embracing the culture of the Médoc. A marathon unlike any other, there’s gourmet food and wine, live bands, fancy dress marathon runners and fireworks to top it all off.

Held annually every September since 1985, the race was dreamed up by five Bordeaux runners, four of them doctors who wanted to celebrate pleasure, not pain. The Medoc Marathon is 42,195 km and the circuit winds its way across the beautiful wine country of Pauillac in South of France and crosses over 50 of the most famous vineyards in France.

The marathon kicks off at 9.30am with a concert and participants are encouraged to dress up in fancy costumes. There are 22 points of “refreshments” stops for runners to fill up while on the run, mostly of the gourmet kind with stands serving oysters, foie gras, entrecote, steak and other delicacies and of course wine!

So popular is this marathon that there are already 8,500 runners confirmed this year and the organizers have received applications from 15,000 people from all over the world!

Details:

To find out more, go to Marathondumedoc.com

Story submitted by JC Vien, a professionally qualified wine educator and holder of the prestigous Diploma Level 4, WSET and Bordeaux Wine School Educator who will also be running in this year’s Medoc Marathon.

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I Love SoHo has teamed up with more than 35 restaurants and bars in SoHo to offer 2-for-1 on selected wines, every Wednesday night. So, whether you start at the bottom of the hill or at the top, we think you’ll find that SoHo Wine Wednesday is a great opportunity to explore all the restaurants and bars in the area.

When settling your bill you can also enter another exciting ILoveSoHo initiative called the ILoveSoHo Prize Draw, simply by completing the sentence “I Love SoHo because…” Entrants of the weekly and monthly draws will have the chance to win an array of great prizes including flights, tickets to entertainment events, VIP invitations, SoHo dining vouchers and more.

The current list of participating outlets include:

Allora, Alter Ego, Annapurna, Barco, Barolo, Bhatti Bar, Bourbon, Brivo, Café de Paris, Café Siam, Chedi Infusion, Club 1911, Dozo, Fat Angelo’s, Hidden Vine, iCaramba!, Jashan – Celebrating Indian Cuisine, Jaspa’s, Lotus, McSorley’s Ale House, Peak Café Bar, Peccato, Peel, POP Bites, Portobello+, RED SoHo, Scirocco, Sh!ok, Smiley’s Bar & Grill, Soho Base Camp, TAKU, The Real Bread Café, The Spot Bar, Wagyu Lounge and Yorkshire Pudding.

For the most updated information on SoHo Wine Wednesday, check online at www.ILoveSoHo.hk/WineWednesday

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The world’s first authentic Asian and largest premier wine competition, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition, has officially opened entries for their 2010 competition. A new food and wine pairing trophy for “Best Wine with Sashimi” will be featured along with the addition of two spirits award categories, the Best Scotch Whiskey and Cognac.

Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC director Simon Tam said, “The inclusion of Best Wine with Sashimi offers wine producers worldwide a unique and credible entry.” As the founding director of Independent Wine Centre in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Macao, Simon also stressed that “the best wine pairing for Sashimi needs a fine balance of flavor focus and delicacy – a slight sweetness in a wine can be useful to balance the savory taste of the ocean.”

In 2009, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC became the largest pan-Asian wine competition in its first year of operation, with over 1,300 entries received. This competition, which features all Asian-born, Asian-based judges, is widely considered as the voice and most accurate reflection of the Asian wine market.

“With the Asian wine market’s growth far out-pacing the rest of the world, we were not surprised by the success of the competition, even in its first year”, says Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC director Debra Meiburg MW.

Entries are open online at www.asiasbestwinesandspirits.com. All entries and samples are to be received no later than October 8, 2010. Judging will take place in Hong Kong from 30 October to 2 November, 2010. Results will be announced on 4 November, 2010.

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If you are a member of wine trade, Inter-Beaujolais, the body responsible for promoting the region’s wine is hosting a seminar to introduce wines from this region. Ms. Aurelie Vabre from Inter-Beaujolais together with Mr.Nelson Chow, Chairman of the Hong Kong Sommelier Association will be running the seminar to guide you through the region’s wine and a tasting of some of the wine produced in this region.

Details:

• When: Tuesday, 29 June 2010
• Time: 3-5pm
• Where: Salon Rooms 1-11, 5/F, Harbour Grand Hong Kong (Fotress Hill) 23 Oil Street, North Point, Hong Kong.
• To reserve your seat, RSVP with Devy Lheritier at 2866 7163

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Organised by IFT Hotel Management Association and David Wong, the Macau Idol Charity Gala Dinner is a fundraising dinner in aid of  ”Action Oasis – Giving Mainland Children Schooling Opportunities”, a charity set up to provide financial support to those who cannot afford education in the western provinces of Mainland China.

David Wong is rallying wine collectors to donate wines for this special cause and, if you would like to make a donation, attend the Gala Dinner or offer support in any way,  get in touch with David at davidwong@ift.edu.mo

Some of the wines that will be on auction for the night:

• Chateau Lafite 1961 (donated by Adriano Gomes da Silva Tam, IWC)
• Penfolds Grange 1997 signed by John Duval (David Wong, IFT)
• 6 bottles set of Bodega Norton. including 3 bottles of Bodega Norton Privada 2007 (donated by Robert Temple, ASC)
• Barca Velha 1991 (Felipe Santos, President of the Wine Society of Macau)
• Burmester Vintage Porto 1994 and 1 case of 6-bottle Esporao Reserva Tinto, 10th Anniversary of Macau SAR Special Edition (Sandy Leong, Great Time)
• Tignanello 1971 (Timothy Feathers, Summergate)

Macau Idol Charity Gala Dinner 2010

• When: 28 May 2010
• Time: 7-11pm
• Venue: IFT Educational Restaurant
• Cost: MOP 380 nett per person
• RSVP: contact David Wong at davidwong@ift.edu.mo

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If you’ve been reading our site, you’ll know the US Boutique Wine Festival is happening this Friday, 23rd April – one of the bigger wine tasting events going on in Hong Kong. The Wine Festival will feature over 200 artisan wines from 40 vineyards from Washington, Oregon, Napa Valley and throughout the West Coast, USA.

What’s interesting about the Grand Tasting Event is that celebrity chefs like Josiah Citrin, Ken Frank and Hosea Rosenberg will be preparing the canapes for the tasting event, so expect an amazing spread. There will also be gourmet smoked meats from Pata Negra, Vero chocolates and artisanal cheese.

Sommelier Raj Parr, one of the most respected in San Francisco who’s quite an expert on US boutique wines, will be attending to share his insights on West Coast wines.

Make sure you book your tickets now!

Grand Tasting

• Date: Friday, 23 April 2010
• Time: 5-9pm
• Venue: Salon 1-6, JW Marriott, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
• To book, call Karin at 9308 2228 or email karin@altruisticwines.com

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Altruistic Boutique Wines is bringing the first ever US Boutique Wine Festival to Hong Kong, one of the biggest wine tasting events held in the vicinity at the JW Marriott Hong Kong. The Wine Festival will feature over 200 artisan wines from 40 vineyards from Washington, Oregon, Napa Valley and throughout the West Coast, USA.

What’s interesting about the festival is that besides having the opportunity to taste a wide selection of rare boutique wines and meet the winemakers, they’ve specially flown in celebrity chefs like Josiah Citrin, Ken Frank and Hosea Rosenberg who will prepare gourmet dishes and special wine pairing dinners over the 2 days of the festival.

Make sure you book your tickets early!

Other note worthy highlights of the festival;

• Meet Sommelier Raj Parr, one of the most respected sommeliers in San Francisco
• Taste gourmet smoked meats from Pata Negra, Vero chocolates and artisan cheese
• Win lucky draw prizes from La Perla and Aromaster

Program:

Grand Tasting

• Date: 23 April 2010
• Time: 2-5pm (trade only) 5-9pm (public)
• Venue: Salon 1-6, JW Marriott, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong.

Private Luncheon

• Date: 24 April 2010
• Time: 12.30-3.30pm
• Venue: Island Tang, 2/F The Galleria, 9 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong

Gala Dinner with special performances by Michael Wong and the Big Band

• Date: 24th April, 2010
• Time: 6-11.30pm
• Venue: Salons 1-6, Ballroom, JW Marriott, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong

To book tickets for any of the above events, contact Karin Ho at 9308 2228 or email karin@altruisticwines.com

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This weekend in SoHo you couldn’t walk 2 feet without running into the Wine and Dine Carnival. Its great that SoHo can shut down the traffic like this for a weekend so you everyone can enjoy a really cool street vibe. The Venetian Macao brought over street performers, kids were doing street art, magicians, singers, musicians and many street booths selling different kinds of arts and crafts.

Mainly we were there for the wine and there were a few places selling wine but the deals were good inside the restaurants, lots of people in the streets and a good environment for all. Hope to see SoHo do it again soon while the weather is nice.

[Show as slideshow]

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To celebrate the Lang Kwai Fong and SoHo Wine and Dine Carnival, Adelaide Cellar Door is going Aussie and serving up 20 of their finest boutique wines for tasting to try before you buy.  If you love Australian wine, make sure to make a stop here.  Mrs Jones is located at the Upper Basement of the Harilela House, on 79 Wyndham Street, Central.

Some of the wines available for tasting:

• Bockman Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2008
• Tim Adams Clare Valley Semillon 2006
• Summerhouse Marlborough Pinot Noir 2006
• Koonowla Clare Valley Ringmaster Carbenet Sauvignon 2006
• PovertyHill Eden Valley Merlot 2006

Details

• Date: November 7 – 8, 2009
• Time: 1-6pm
• Venue: Upper Basement of the Harilela House, on 79 Wyndham Street, Central. (Corner of Wyndham and Pottinger Street)
• Tel: 2522 8118
• Offer: 15% off lunch or dinner at Mrs Jones

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This weekend, Soho is hosting their own Wine + Dine Carnival. The Venetian Macau Resort have summoned their Venetian performers (musicians, street performers) to Soho this weekend to provide the entertainment.

The party starts from 4 to 11pm on Friday on Staunton Street, Shelley and Elgin Street. On the weekend,  local artisans will set up booths to sell their arts and crafts and live performances for the kids are on the schedule. These streets will be closed off during the carnival so get the taxi driver to drop you off at Hollywood Road and walk up to Soho.

What we like about the carnival is that participating Soho restaurants are offering HK$50 wine & food pairing. These are appetizer size house specialties that comes with a glass of wine – A great way to sample food from all the restaurants around the area.

Highlights:

Scirocco: A glass of red wine + Lamb Shish Kebab

Café de Paris: A glass of Cote De Durass + Sautéed Frog Legs in Garlic Butter

Bourbon: A glass of Zinfandel + Mini Pulled Pork Sandwich

Life Organic Health Cafe: Organic Australian Chardonnay Wine + Spicy Thai Skewer

Mrs Jones : A glass of Alice White Chardonnay + a small dish of Bruschetta

Yorkshire Pudding: A glass of House Red + Yorkshire Pudding stuffed with Roast Beef + Gravy

Details:

• Date: 6-8 November (Friday – Sunday)
• Time: 6 November 2009: 4-11pm (opening ceremony)
• 7 November 2009: noon- 11pm
• 8 November 2009: noon – 9pm

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