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db Asia: November in Pictures
The db Asia team was here, there and everywhere throughout November, with trips to both Hong Kong and Shanghai for some of the biggest wine and spirits trade fairs of the year, plus an evening of classical violin and piano paired with gin cocktails, and a Mexican Tequila stand in Manila.
ProWine Shanghai
Last month, the drinks business Asia headed to ProWine Shanghai. As well as hosting two masterclasses at the show (see below), our team also had a stall at the exhibition offering copies of the latest print magazine and a tasting of the Master medal-winning wines from our competitions.
La Place de Bordeaux Masterclass
Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief of the drinks business and the drinks business Asia, hosted a masterclass on wines from around the world sold through distribution system La Place de Bordeaux at last month’s ProWine Shanghai exhibition.
On pour were wines from Coonawarra estate Wynns, Morlet Family Vineyards, Viñedos Familia Chadwick’s Seña, Chile’s Maquis, Catena Zapata, Jackson Family Wines ‘ Cardinale, Santa Rita Estates’ Casa Real and Marchesi Mazzei Spa Agricola.
Church Road Masterclass
With over 127 years of winemaking heritage, Church Road is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most awarded wineries. At this year’s ProWine Shanghai exhibition, the Hawke’s Bay winery teamed up with db Asia to give a masterclass on the region’s unique terroir and the individual character of Church Road wines.
Six-time New Zealand Winemaker of the Year Chris Scott continues to craft the portfolio of wines and was present at the masterclass.
HKTDC
The db Asia team was on a whistle stop tour of some of the region’s biggest trade shows in November, the first stop being the HKTDC Wine & Spirits Fair in Hong Kong.
The HKTDC has calculated that 8,200 trade buyers from 61 countries and regions were present at this year’s Wine & Spirits Fair, up from 7,000 from 49 countries in 2023. The buzz was palpable in 2024; the fair took place just weeks after Hong Kong announced a reduction in taxation on spirits imports, the impact of which could be a huge boost for drinks brands and distributors operating in the region.
ProWine Mumbai
Co-organised by Messe Düsseldorf India and All Things Nice, the 4th edition of ProWine Mumbai took place over two days in November. This year, the show added ProSpirits under its umbrella – an effort that provided spirit companies a fair platform to connect with buyers who explored the dynamics and strength of the spirits industry in India.
Ajay Kumar Gulati, general manager of Messe Düsseldorf India, said the exhibition “exceeded our expectations”.
“We were thrilled to witness record-breaking attendance, insightful panel discussions, heady ProWine Bartenders’ Competition and a wonderful showcase of the finest wines and spirits. The event has, once again, solidified its position as the premier platform for the Indian and international wine and spirits industry. We’re already looking forward to building on this success and delivering an even more spectacular event in the future.”
NON Launches in the Philippines with Premium Wine Exchange
Pratham Wahi and Manuel Arce, APAC brand ambassadors for alcohol-free wine alternative NON, travelled to Manila to host an interactive brand masterclass to launch NON in the Philippines with new importer PWX. This represents the second launch of NON in the past six months into Asia markets, the first being with Vines & Terroirs in Hong Kong back in June.
NON products are non-alc alternatives designed especially for pairing with food and are proving a hit across APAC with distribution now set up in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines and South Korea.
Trinity Hill Winemaker Warren Gibson Visits Japan
Trinity Hill has been investing heavily in its APAC markets throughout 2024, culminating in winemaker Warren Gibson hosting a series of events for its importers Enoteca in Taiwan and Village Cellars in Japan.
The events have led to new listings across HORECA and retail as well as a significant uptick in private client sales. The trip was focused around education and building awareness for both Hawke’s Bay and Trinity Hill with a particular emphasis on the style of Trinity Hill’s Sauvignon Blanc, and honing in particularly on the Chardonnay and Syrah wines that it produces.
Tequila Corralejo at the Grand Wine Experience in Manila
Corralejo APAC Brand Ambassadors Manuel Arce and Pratham Wahi participated in the Grand Wine Experience in Manila, Philippines, where they hosted the Mexican Tequila stand and delivered a well-received presentation highlighting the premium quality of Tequila Corralejo.
Mirabeau Gin Takes Centre Stage at Fritz Music Series in Kuala Lumpur
Mirabeau Gin took centre stage at Fritz Real Food & Music Series VI at Troika Sky Dining last month featuring an evening of classical violin and piano paired with Mirabeau Gin cocktails. Mirabeau APAC Brand Ambassadors Manuel Arce and Pratham Wahi later hosted the after hours celebration at private members club XVI in the Malaysian capital city.
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