A new dawn for Napa Cab in Hong Kong?

Napa Cabernet offers good value for money and is seeing a resurgence in consumer interest, says Silverado’s general manager, Russell Weis

Speaking to the drinks business, Weis said he felt wines from California occupied “a value position” in the Asian market, especially Hong Kong.

“Traditionally speaking of course, Burgundy and Bordeaux still dominate but people are realising that Napa Valley offers amazing single expressions of Cabernet, but without that Bordeaux price tag.”

Weis recognises that America has had to do battle with other New World leaders – Australia and New Zealand – in the past, but speaks of a recent resurgence of interest in Napa Valley.

“Silverado and other Napa producers have been in Hong Kong for over 20 years and have always held a steady – if not quiet – position. We have faced stiff competition from Australia and New Zealand when they first started infiltrating the Asian market in the late 90s but they’re no longer ‘new’ and we’ve seen more and more people coming back to us as a good quality and more affordable version of top Bordeaux.”

Perhaps with a paucity of wine in its cultural heritage, Hong Kong wine drinkers have mostly favoured smaller producers with a “story behind the label.” Boutique winery tastings in Hong Kong wine merchants are always filled to the hilt with customers eager to learn the history of the vineyard and the narratives of its workers.

Weis agrees, “I think we’re popular because Silverado is family run and there’s a certain uniqueness to that in the New World – especially in California. Our wines are grown, vinified and bottled in one place and people simply love that.”