Learn French Wines Like a Pro

A casual class for the avid learner.

Anthony Petit, a France native now living in Hong Kong, has a mind-blazing world of French wines to show you.

He is presently devoting his time to the development of the Wine Education Center and is a part-time wine instructor at Hong Kong University Space.

The course is focused on casual learning – you won’t find an angry Frenchman throwing fits but a refined gentleman teaching you the arts and crafts that you seek. The course focuses on learning the fundamentals of french wine in a french way. There will be formal wine tastings with French descriptions and 3 wines will be served.

The meeting time will be on September 22nd from 7pm-10pm (3 hour workshop) at the Admiralty Learning Centre. The language will be English and the Fee is HK$450. If you’d like an application (or have any other questions), then click here.

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Temecula Wineries Go After Chinese Market

Southern California wine wants its day in the sun in China too!

Way down south of Napa and Sonoma is Temecula Wine Country. Riverside County, California’s Supervisor, Jeff Stone, is going on a trip. He wants to go to a 6-day trade commission to Hong Kong in November and he wants to bring his friends: Temecula Wine

A group of Temecula winery owners who all have aspirations and dreams to one day enter the Chinese wine market which grew 20 percent to 2.8 billion last year. The groups itinerary will lead them to an International Wine & Spirits festival with government officials to mingle and attempt to squeeze a foot through the door. In addition to 5 days spent in HK, they will also dabble a bit in the mainland via Shenzhen.

Although Temecula Valley Wine Country producers make much less than their northern California counterparts, this hasn’t stopped a growing interest to export overseas into new and exciting markets. In fact, most were so excited that they paid the $2,588 (HK$20, 000) per person to free themselves. Most were probably encouraged even further by the recent lifting of tariffs on importing wines.

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Hong Kong’s Private Sommelier Service Launches to offer Personal Wine Experiences

Sarment are Hong Kong’s Wine “A-Team.”

Looking to enjoys unparalleled access to advice on all aspects of wine buying, tasting, education, storage and investment? Here is a new service just launched this month to Hong Kong wine drinkers called Sarment.

Sarment offers the knowledge and services of some of the world’s most experienced sommeliers to a select group of wine collectors around the world. By matching the individual members to sommeliers whose personality and approach to wine complements their own tastes, Sarment offers a tailor made wine service available seven days a week from anywhere in the world.

The idea behind Sarment is simple. It is based on the relationship between founder, Bertrand Faure Beaulieu and award winning sommelier, Philippe Messy. Ten years ago, the pair met in Marco Pierre White’s restaurant, where Philippe Messy was the youngest ever head sommelier of a three Michelin-starred restaurant. Philippe invited Bertrand to broaden his tastes in wine and inspired him to explore new vintages outside of his comfort zone. Bertrand explains, “I had found a sommelier who was not only empathetic and exceptionally talented, but was not afraid to challenge me. He was never patronizing; he simply had a passion for sharing great wine.” It was this personal relationship between customer and sommelier that Bertrand and Philippe wanted to make accessible to wine lovers around the world.

Bertrand says, “I knew then what I wanted from a top wine service. I wanted to have the unbiased advice and privileged access to wine and wine makers through the best in the business, the world’s top sommeliers and not bother about anything else. I wanted a truly personal service.”

Sarment has launched with offices in London and Hong Kong. Award winning sommeliers who have come together creating a fresh team and forming Sarment include co-founder Philippe Messy, Sébastien Chevalier, Christopher Delalonde and Gearoid Devaney. Membership to Sarment is by invitation only with no more than 75 memberships to be released globally this year.

Check out the Sarment website here. We’re working on getting interviews with the sommelier’s in the near future.

Everyday Bordeaux Wine Fair in Happy Valley

A wet but fun Bordeaux Wine Fair at the Jockey Club in Hong Kong.

At the Everyday Bordeaux Wine Fair held Saturday, April 25, hundreds of food and beverage professionals mixed with wine lovers to sample some of the highest quality mid-priced Bordeaux wine in Hong Kong. In spite of the Amber rain warning outside, there was a real buzz of excitement as people went from table to table to discover the best that Bordeaux has to offer.

Great wines are not necessarily found at exorbitant prices and at prices ranging from HK$70 – HK$350 for red, white & rosé and up to HK$450 for sweet white, it was a delight to find so many great tasting Bordeaux at the fair.

A buyers guide of Bordeaux wine - the Everyday Bordeaux Booklet 2009 was launched at the fair. The buyers guide contain detailed information on the top 100 highest quality Bordeaux wines that are being distributed in Hong Kong. The guide contains tasting notes, grape varieties, appellation and retail price and name of distributor/wine importer. Continue reading »

Wine Avenue at HOFEX: May 6-9, 2009

Hong Kong’s biggest wine expo is coming up in  2 weeks.

HOFEX, the Asian International Exhibition of Food & Drink, Equipment and Supplies Exhibition is scheduled to open at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 6th to the 9th.

There is a dedicated zone for the exhibition of quality wine – Wine Avenue. This is the next big wine event in Hong Kong after Vinexpo 2008.  Hofex has already released news that Adega Royale, Anrise-IMC, Liquid Asset, Cinzia Maini, Adelaide Cellar Door are amongst some of the wine distributors that will be exhibiting at Wine Avenue.

Although this is a trade show for professional trade and business visitors only, wine distributors will be inviting their top customers to their booths, so get your passes organised now!

Hawke’s Bay Wine Tasting at Beso

Tasting on March 13th in Central.

@Style Wine International is hosting a wine tasting night for  Hawke’s Bay Syrah, Chardonnay and New Zealand’s famous Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris at Beso.

What’s being served?

• Hawke’s Bay red 05 Syrah – Bronze Decanter Award
• 06 Pinot Noir – Bronze Air NZ Wine Award 06
• White 07 Chardonnay – Silver Air NZ Wine Awards 07
• 06 Pinot Gris -Bronze Medal Mercedes Benz 05/06 Award, Air NZ Wine Award 2006

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