Vinexpo Asia-Pacific: Hong Kong goes global

Growing bigger every year, Vinexpo Asia-Pacific is upon us once again, with more space, exhibitors and products to explore and enjoy.

“Back, bigger than ever!” or “Records will be broken!” Either could be the movie-style tagline for Vinexpo Hong Kong 2014. With shows in Europe having to manage their growth so they are not crushed by the sheer weight of exhibitors and visitors, in Asia the appetite and capacity to grow is still strong.
Vinexpo Hong Kong is set to return with a 50% increase in floor space – spanning two exhibition halls – to 15,000 square metres and a rise in exhibitor numbers from 1,000 in 2012 to some 1,300 this year.
More than 20 wine producing nations will be present at the fair and the Italians are set to double the size of their pavilions, while the Spanish are going to triple it. According to Vinexpo the increase is due to an “explosion” of interest (not dissimilar to London) of Spanish wine and tapas bars in Asia. The new Spanish pavilion will feature three regional focus points in the form of Rioja, a combined stand for La Mancha and Castilla-La-Mancha, and a spotlight on Cava thanks to producer Codorníu. There will also be a strong presence from Champagne, with Bollinger, Billecart-Salmon, Lanson and Laurent-Perrier being just some of that region’s leading brands taking stands at the show.
Meanwhile, visitor numbers are also predicted to go up from the 15,000 that attended in 2012 to some 18,000 – all trade professionals from travel retail buyers, to importers, local and international press nd buyers. Organisers will be hoping for a change in the fair’s demographic this year too as the mainland Chinese market softens and Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan, among others, continue to provide strong markets in the wider region.

China crisis?

Not that China is no longer important: a Vinexpo study recently found that China and Hong Kong combined were the second biggest market for expensive wines in the world – and China is already the biggest consumer of red wines in the world after overtaking France last year.

China is now the fifth biggest overall wine market in the world, an extraordinary achievement in such a short amount of time – but this rate could not be maintained indefinitely. “We cannot expect the market to have more three-digit growth,” admitted Vinexpo CEO, Guillaume Deglise, “but we can still expect that growth to continue.” Nonetheless, while austerity measures and a natural economic cooling have hit China, Hong Kong appears largely unaffected by the slowdown of its larger neighbour.

In the five years since the scrapping of duty on wine, imports have doubled in value to €316.3 million (much subsequently re-exported to the rest of the region), leading Vinexpo to dub the city the “undisputed gateway” to the Asia-Pacific market and describe the fair itself as a “shop window to the region for the world’s wine and spirits professionals”.

CEO of Vinexpo, Guillaume Deglise, commented on the fair’s continued success and its important rôle in and relevance to the wider region: “Hong Kong has become an essential cog in the wheels of trade and distribution of wine throughout Asia-Pacific.” He continued: “So, exhibitors know that at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, they are visible at the heart of the region’s market.

He added: “While the expo is obviously a way of gaining direct access to China, it also raises profiles in the emerging markets of South-East Asia. Bear in mind that 40% of wine consumed in Asia is outside China. The region also accounts for 61.5% of the world’s spirits consumption. All the indicators point to yet another resounding success for Vinexpo Asia-Pacific.”

Spirits rising

It’s not just wines that visitors will be able to sample, however. Spirits have long held an, arguably, much more prominent and prestigious role in Asia and there is an enormous market for Cognac and an increasingly interesting opportunity for other brown spirits be they Armagnac, Scotch or rum. Although these sales have also been affected in mainland China because of the recent crackdown on ostentatious displays of wealth, volumes increased by 55% between 2008 and 2012 and Asia-Pacific accounts for some 63% of total spirits consumption in the world.

Singapore alone, speaking of markets other than Hong Kong or China, has seen spirits consumption rise 31.9% by volume between 2008 and 2012 and is expected to rise a further 205% between 2013 and 2017. Rum in particular saw an 82.9% rise in consumption between 2008 and 2012 Vinexpo recorded while Tequila and gin have also seen substantial double-figure rises. Scotch remains Singapore’s number one spirit with consumption standing well over 100,000 nine-litre cases a year, a figure expected to grow 20% into 2017. With this in mind, this year’s Vinexpo will see a dedicated spirits section at the fair dubbed “Spiritual” which, like the wine section, will feature tastings and talks on a variety of topics and drinks.

So much to see and taste…

Exhibitors from more than 30 countries will cover everything from Cognac and Scotch whisky to Lithuanian and Finnish vodka, Italian grappa, Greek tsipouro and Mexican Tequila. With a dedicated bar area, throughout the three day event mixologists and members of the International Bartenders Association (IBA) will make cocktails and introduce visitors to a variety of spirits. Several such masterclasses will be held in partnership with the drinks business’ sister publication, The Spirits Business, which is the media partner of the IBA. Boosting the fair’s spirit profile is a long-term aim of Deglise. He recently told journalists in London: “We should emphasise the role of spirits and Vinexpo should be the place where you find the trends in the market and the trend is very clear on spirits. “Spirits consumption is growing and we need to have more spirits and give more activities around spirits.”

As usual, Vinexpo Hong Kong has a full line up of tastings and masterclasses over the three days. This year there are events being hosted by Jeannie Cho Lee MW, Debra Meiburg MW, Angélus owner Hubert de Boüard, Nelson Chow, one of the world’s leading sommeliers Paolo Basso and Chinese consultant Li Demei. Tastings cover Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône; a combined presence from South Africa, Chile and Argentina, which are bringing their Beautiful South concept to Vinexpo for the first time; Switzerland, China, Italy and more. The Institute of Masters of Wine will also be holding a private showing of the film Red Obsession, which looks at the phenomenon of fine wine sales in China. A debate with the film’s directors, David Roach and Warwick Ross, is scheduled for after the film.

Furthermore, on Wednesday the drinks business magazine and The Institute of Masters of Wine will be announcing the Asian Wine Personality 2014, an award which last year was won by Grace Vineyard’s Judy Leissner. And of course, remember that careful planning and preparation will allow you to make the most of the fair. So get out your tablets, phones and filofaxes and draw up a plan of attack. Vinexpo’s back and it’s billing itself as the biggest show in town, the summer blockbuster to end all blockbusters – don’t you dare miss it.

When: Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 May 2014

Where: Hong Kong Exhibition Centre, Expo Drive, Wanchai, Hon Kong

Opening times: 09.30 – 18.30

Scroll through to find out which events are taking place over the three-day trade fair…

Tuesday 27 May

Pure tin capsule: a ritual and a mark of distinction
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 09:30 – 10:30
Access: Free entrance
Language: English/Chinese
Room 111/112. Level 1

Union des Syndicats Saint-Emilion – Pomerol – Fronsac
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:00 – 11:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 106/107/108. Level 1

Perfect Pairing: German Wine with Chili by Jeannie Cho Lee, MW
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:00 – 11:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English/Chinese
Room 104/105. Level 1.

Pushing Boundaries: Wines of Argentina
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:00 – 11:30
Access: None
Language: English/Chinese
Room 109/110. Level 1

The future of the Chinese market – a topical debate with Judy Leissner, Don St Pierre Jr, Dixon Yuan and Mark Bedingham
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 10:30 – 12:30
Access:
Language: English
Room 201A. Level 2

2011 Vintage Bordeaux Tasting
Theme: Standing Tasting
Schedule: 11:00 – 17:00
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Grand Foyer. Level 3

Invest in a vineyard: Walk through a successful transaction
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 11:00 – 13:30
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 111/112. Level 1

Masseto retrospective
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 13:30 – 15:00
Access: By invitation
Language: English/Chinese
Room 106/107/108. Level 1

Masterclass: Côtes de Bordeaux
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 13:30 – 15:00
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 109/110. Level 1

Discover Tuscany: Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 13:30 – 15:00
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 104/105. Level 1

Shanghainese Food & Wine by Jeannie Cho Lee MW
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 14:00 – 15:30
Access: Paying (HK$250)
Language: English
Room 201 B. Level 2

Masterclass: Better Understanding of Chinese Wine
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 14:00 – 16:00
Access: By invitation
Language: English/Chinese
Room 201A. Level 2

Understanding sommeliers’ managerial behaviours
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 14:30 – 16:00
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 111/112. Level 1

“100% Chardonnay: Travel through the Bourgogne White Village Appellations”
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 16:00 – 17:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 106/107/108. Level 1

Lanson: Outstanding vintages of Champagne
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 16:00 – 17:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 206/207/208. Level 2

Discover the uniqueness and richness of Beaujolais wines
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 16:00 – 17:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 104/105. Level 1

Wines of the Beautiful South: A collaboration between Wines of Argentina, Wines of Chile and Wines of South Africa
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 16:00 – 17:30
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 109/110. Level 1

“Red Obsession”
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 17:00 – 19:00
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 201A. Level 2

Wednesday 28 May

Australia Wine – The Current State of Play
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 09:30 – 10:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 111/112. Level 1

The Berlin Tasting: Uncorking the potential of Chile’s Terroir
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:00 – 11:30
Access: Free entrance
Language: English/Chinese
Room 106/107/108. Level 1

Châteauneuf-du-Pape & Tavel: All the Rhône Wine Colours
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:00 – 11:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 104/105. Level 1

Château Angélus tasting with Hubert de Boüard
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:00 – 11:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 109/110. Level 1

Saint-Emilion – Pomerol – Fronsac Seminar
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:30 – 12:00
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 201B. Level 2

Key tips to success in investing in the French wine and spirit industry (vineyards, wine trading business)
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 11:00 – 13:30
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 111/112. Level 1

Bourgogne presentation: Wine & Tourism
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 11:00 – 13:00
Access: None
Language: English
Room 101 A. Level 1

Asian Wine Personality 2014
Schedule: 12:00 – 13:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 206/207/208. Level 2

Saint-Emilion Grands Crus Classés Challenge
Theme: Competition
Schedule: 12:00 – 13:30
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Grand Foyer

“A chance to taste classified 2010s, the best vintage in 20 years” by the Crus Classés de Graves, Bordeaux.
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 13:30 – 15:00
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 106/107/108. Level 1

Grace Vineyard – Chairman’s Reserve vertical tasting event
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 13:30 – 15:00
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 104/105. Level 1

The Feminine Side of Riesling, presented by women for women
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 13:30 – 15:00
Access: By invitation
Language: English/Chinese
Room 109/110. Level 1

Wine Investment Seminar
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 14:00 – 16:00
Access: None
Language: English
Room 206/207/208. Level 2

Buy better, get the best from finding your Bordeaux wines to selling them here
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 14:30 – 16:00
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 111/112. Level 1

Korean Food & Wine by Jeannie Cho Lee MW
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 15:30 – 17:00
Access: Paying (HK$250)
Language: English
Room 201B. Level 2

Provence Wines Masterclass
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 16:00 – 17:30
Access: None
Language: English
Room 106/107/108. Level 1

Premium Port Wines – The heritage of generations in a glass
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 16:00 – 17:30
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 104/105. Level 1

New Zealand Winegrowers Tasting
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 16:00 – 17:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 109/110. Level 1

Great Value at Wine Auction
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 16:30 – 18:00
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 111/112. Level 1

Thursday 29 May

Saint-Emilion – Pomerol – Fronsac Seminar
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:00 – 11:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 106/107/108. Level 1

Champions of the South 90+ – Argentina, Chile and South Africa
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:00 – 11:30
Access: Free entrance
Language: English/Chinese
Room 104/105. Level 1

Sicily: “A continent of wine”
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:00 – 11:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 109/110. Level 1

Blind Tasting hosted by Paolo Basso
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 10:30 – 12:00
Access: Paying (HK$500)
Language: English
Room 201B. Level 2

Dégustation Crus Bourgeois du Médoc
Theme: Standing Tasting
Schedule: 11:00 – 17:00
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 101B. Level 1

Illuminating China: Revolutions in the route-to-market
Theme: Conference
Schedule: 11:00 – 13:30
Access: By invitation
Language: English
Room 111/112. Level 1

Masterclass Côtes de Bordeaux
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 13:30 – 15:00
Access: Free entrance
Language: English
Room 109/110. Level 1

Wines of Navarra: A wine kingdom in Spain
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 13:30 – 15:00
Access: None
Language: English
Room 104/105. Level 1

Thai Food & Wine by Jeannie Cho Lee MW
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 14:00 – 15:30
Access: Paying (HK$250)
Language: English
Room 201B. Level 2

Paolo Basso: Discover the wines of Switzerland, hidden treasures and unique varietals in the heart of the Alps
Theme: Seated Tasting
Schedule: 16:00 – 17:30
Access: None
Language: English/French
Room 106/107/108. Level 1