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Slideshow
The week in pictures: Hong Kong
Wendy Narby, a senior lecturer at the École du Vin de Bordeaux, turned a focus on Bordeaux’s most prominent Medoc region, which surprisingly only takes up roughly 15% of surface area in Bordeaux and only started making wines in 17th century. During the lunch hosted by local importer Altaya, Narby debunked some of the misconceptions consumers have about Bordeaux including that all Bordeaux wines need ageing, all Bordeaux estates are classified.
Gustavo Rearte, winemaker of Argentina’s Achaval Ferrer, was in Hong Kong to host a lunch organised by its local importer Corney & Barrow. Fresh from the 2017 vintage harvest, the winemaker showcased Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2014, Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2013 and Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador 2010.
Wine Australia’s booth at this year’s Wine & Dine Festival. The trade organisation showcased about 60 wines from Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula in addition to Barossa, McLaren Vale.
Wine Australia organised a masterclass for trade professionals in Hong Kong on the sideline of the Wine & Dine Festival, highlighting a diverse range of wines including sparkling wine, rosè and cool climate wines, along with signature classics.
Peter Sisseck of Pingus took an aim at today’s natural wine movement, calling that most natural winemakers are going at it with lots of passion but zero knowledge. For winemakers who are using faults such as oxidisation and volatility as excuses for creating natural expressions of wines, Sisseck retorted, “all the concept that faults are natural and expressions of terroir, it’s not right. It’s man who makes faulty wine. It’s not nature.” His wines are imported by Corney & Barrow in Asia.
Watson’s Wine hosted a grand tasting at Mira Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, showcasing wines from more than 100 of its exclusive producers.
Dominik Huber of Terroir al Limit makes old-vine Carignan and Grenache from the steep hills in Priorat that contrast with the usually oaky and high-octane Spanish reds. The winemaker recently started another wine project using 100% Grenache to make Amphora wines.
Alberto Tasca, CEO of Tasca d’Almerita in Sicily, is making a diverse range of wines across Salina, Mozia, Mount Etna, and Monreale in the Mediterranean island with five of its estates including Regaleali, Capofaro, Sallier de la Tour, Toscante and Fondazione Whitaker.
James Suckling gave his Wine of the Year award to Chile’s Almaviva 2015, a joint venture project with Bordeaux’s great Château Mouton-Rothschild and Chile’s respected Concha y Toro. The wine critic described the wine as “a benchmark for the reds of the Andes,” showing “incredible energy and depth with ultra-fine tannins and focused bright fruit”.
Jimmy Hayes, estate manager of Napa’s Mayacamas, was hopeful of Mayacamas’ future following the recent deadly California fires. Its 2017 vintage could be completely lost but its latest release of 2013 vintage could be the best ever in the history of the estate.
Wine critic James Suckling’s Great Wines of the World grand tasting opened its door on 3 November at Four Seasons hotel to a packed room of more than 800 guests in Hong Kong. More than 160 wines from top estates in Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and the US as well as China and Thailand were on pour.
Martin Chalopin, Greater China export manager of CVBG, is showcasing a Bordeaux red called ‘Essence de Dourthe’, a blend of finest vineyards from four Dourthe estates. The 2009 vintage is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The wine retails for roughly 70 euros a bottle.
Christophe Salin, CEO of DBR Lafite and its local importer ASC Fine Wines hosted a private wine dinner at the American Club on 1 November, showcasing its wines made in Bordeaux, Argentina and Chile including Lafite 2004, Carruades de Lafite 2006, Légende, Caro and Le Dix.