Week in pictures: Hong Kong

This week saw the db HK team exploring Clément Rhum, food from the Istria region and tasting some spectacular wines from HK merchants, Kerry and Altaya.

The exoticism of Martinique came to Hong Kong in the form of the Rhum Clément T’Punch Hong Kong finals. Timothy Ching from Bibo was crowned the winner for his Prunus Punch concoction and will join other finalists in Martinique in March next year.

Next stop was Kerry Wines’ annual tasting where db HK met Catherine Douglas from one of Oregon’s oldest wineries, Adelsheim. Oregon Pinot, “has a lot to offer in Asia,” she declared and judging by the fresh, fruit-forward but complex wines, we agree.

Hong Kong’s new dining concept, The Red Door Dining Lab hosted an Istrian wine and food pairing dinner with one of the region’s best-known chefs, Željan Peloža. A highlight was the delicious homemade pasta with pancetta and white truffle.

Sopexa held one its Sommelier Wine Clubs where some of Hong Kong’s young and talented sommeliers learn about a differing region of Burgundy – this time Mercurey. “Burgundy needs a lot of explaining,” admitted Julia Iaconellli from Sopexa. “But Hong Kong also holds a lot of knowledge, so we are bringing Burgundy with all of its complex appellations here and the trade are very quick to understand.”

Altaya’s annual tasting included some excellent showings of Rauzan-Segla with the 2005 being a particular highlight.

Christmas came early in Hong Kong has BBR held its festive tasting with Simon Field MW introducing the new Exploring and Tasting Wine Book followed by a tasting of some of BBR’s most iconic labels.