Places to Drink Wine in Hong Kong: The Chinnery

Enjoy a bit of old Hong Kong at the Mandarin Oriental.

A Hong Kong institution since opening in 1963, The Chinnery in the Mandarin Oriental hotel is more than just a place that evokes memories of colonial days gone by.

Not only does it boast Hong Kong’s largest collection of single malt whiskies (122 to be exact) but it has a master wine list that is sure to impress even the staunchest wine snob.

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Domaine de Chevalier Wine Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental

Experience Grand Cru Classe de Graves in HK for 1-night only.

Jebsen Fine Wines hosts an exquisite one-night-only tasting of select wines from Domaine de Chevalier on November 30th at Pierre at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hong Kong.

Wines to be served:

• Champagne Bollinger
• L’esprit de Chevalier Blanc 2000
• Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2000
• Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2000, 1990 and 1970
• Ch. Guiraud 2000 and 1990

The wine dinner costs HK$1,288 + 10% and will start promptly at 8:00 pm with cocktails at 7:30 pm. Mr. Oliver Bernard, the chateau owner, will be hosting the dinner.

If you’re interested in joining this event or want to know more about the menu, please email Marco Vazquez or Vanessa Chui or call 2926 2269 for details.

Learn more about Olivier Bernard and Domaine de Cheavalier in this video:

Pierre Gagnaire Brings Les Saveurs d’Été to the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

Gagnaire makes a 1-week personal appearance at his MO restaurant.

The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong have just announced Pierre Gagnaire’s summer visit to the city starting July 14th…coinciding nicely with Bastille Day.

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Sotheby’s Kick Starts Hong Kong Wine Auctions in 2010 with Record Breaking Sales

Sotheby’s hits big numbers in auction sales over the weekend in Hong Kong.

Sotheby’s first wine auction of 2010 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on 23 January 2010 fetched a record-breaking HK$52,921,770 or USD 6, 784, 842 – well above expectations.  The 10 hour auction saw buyers from Hong Kong, Mainland China and all over Asia bidding for 840 lots. This auction represents Sotheby’s highest total sales for a single day wine sale, with a 100% sell through.

It was interesting to see the trend of online bidders gaining significance, with 66% of the lots sold to online bidders not in attendance. Sotheby’s also reports that top lots were sold to private collectors and connoisseurs from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan.

Lots that fetched the highest prices were:

• Lot 474  Château Pétrus 2000, 12 bottles which sold for HK$411,400
• Lot 467 Château Pétrus 2005, 12 bottles which sold for HK$387,200
• Lot 506 Château Pétrus 506, 3 mags which sold for hK$363,000
• Lot 81, Château Lafite 1982, 1 imperial, 6 liter bottles achieved sale of HK$363,000
• Lot 153, Château Latour 1961, 1 jero-4.5 liter bottles sold for HK$338,800

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Choosing Wine at a Restaurant with Pierre Legrandois

Tips on choosing wine and making an impression at a business lunch.

painting by Mark Keller

Pierre Legrandois, Chief Sommelier at the Mandarin Oriental give us some pointers on how to  navigate the wine list at restaurants. When you are taking your clients out for a business dinner and its up to you to order the wine, Pierre suggests the following:

1. Choose a wine according to the food of your guests. It shows you are paying attention, thoughtful and want to ensure an enjoyable experience.
2. When in doubt, 0pt for classic wines like Burgundy white like Montrachet &Meursault or a red Bordeaux.
3. Know the French Vintages: 1982, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003
4. Ask for a recommendation without mentioning your budget out right.

A good way to handle this is to mention to the sommelier that you like a certain kind of wine. For example, do you have Chateaux “this vintage” for “X price,” if you can you please recommend something similar?  Another way is to mention you would like a wine similar to “X” and point to the price on the wine list to your sommelier.  Its a gesture most sommelier understands.