13th May, 2016
by
Rupert Millar
Italy will be in the limelight as the Country of Honour at this year’s Vinexpo Hong Kong, as a wealth of masterclasses, tastings and product launches put winemaking back at heart of this must-attend event in the Asian drinks trade calendar.
THERE’LL BE a touch more bella Italia than la belle France at this year’s Vinexpo when it touches down in Hong Kong for its seventh edition this 24-26 May. That is because this year, in keeping with the tradition of the biennial show, it is Italy which will be in the limelight as the Country of Honour, with special masterclasses, tastings and product launches dedicated to this unique and diverse wine-producing country.
Leading a lot of the Italian-focused events will be the country’s foremost wine guide, Gambero Rosso. The magazine will be hosting two special tastings on Italy’s wines and spirits, the former consisting of 60 wines that gained the top mark in Gambero Rosso’s latest Vini d’Italia guide and the latter of 10 spirits.
There will be a further masterclass on the growing Italian spirits sector, led by Marco Sebellico and bartender Massimo D’Adezzio on Tuesday 24th and another on Thursday 26th.
Look out as well for the Special Awards of Vini d’Italia in the late afternoon of the Tuesday when nine of the best wines of the Vini d’Italia representing nine ‘symbols’ of the Italian wine scene will be named by Sabellico.
In addition, further Italian-themed tastings include a presentation of wines from the new top tier of Chianti Classico, the Gran Selezione, a masterclass on indigenous Italian grape varieties and the ageability of Barolo, and a conference on business opportunities for Italian wines in Asia Pacific led by wine critic James Suckling and Vinexpo’s CEO Guillaume Deglise.
Vinexpo details:
When: Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 May, 9.30am-6.30pm Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Expo Drive, Wan Chai
Announcing Italy’s central role at this year’s fair last October, Deglise had explained: “Vinexpo is the partner of the wine and spirits trade. Its objective consists in promoting the vast range of wines and spirits that exist in the world and to develop business opportunities for the producers on an international scale.
“Naming a country of honour and paying tribute to its production at the same time as helping the country to raise its profile and boost sales is part of Vinexpo’s mission.” The focus on Italy as guest of honour has proved a providential choice given the recent news that China’s biggest online retailer, Alibaba, is to launch a ‘day of wine’ this September that will heavily feature Italian products.
Announcing the initiative, Alibaba’s founder, Jack Ma, said he wanted Alibaba to be the “gateway to China for Italian brands and small businesses”.