Uncorked: Shane Wilkins

The Clare Valley F&B director of Hong Kong’s luxurious Langham Hotel speaks to db HK about growing up next door to a Jesuit priest vineyard and being happiest on the couch with a good movie.

What vintage are you? 

1967. A great year for Chianti Classico, specifically Antinori. I think 1967 was more of an Italian vintage than French.

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

I grew up in a pub in South Australia’s Clare Valley, one of the oldest wine regions in the country and the Sevenhill Cellars was just down the road from us, run by Jesuit priests. It’s well known for its Riesling, Verdelho and Tokaji and so I always associate Sevenhill with growing up and having cheeky sips in the cellar frequently.

What would you be as a wine?

I would be a Cabernet Sauvignon. Full-bodied, smooth, with a good finish and notes of fruit and spices from a rich, limestone terroir like Coonawarra.

Where are you happiest?

Honestly, it’s simple. Give me a couch, a movie and chocolate and I’m happy.

What’s your greatest vice?

Not being able to say no as often as I’d like.

Best advice you ever got?

“Don’t eat the pies!” It was great advice from a friend of mine who was the F&B manager of a football club once. She said it to me once, and it’s stuck with me ever since.

Most overused word?

“Really?” I say it after I think someone isn’t really going to do something as daft as I worry they are, and then they do.

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

Any of my Chateau Musar.

What’s the best & worst thing about the wine business?

The worst? Suppliers running out of vintages without warning. And fakes. The best is the affordability and how much choice is available to us (when the vintages are here).

What’s on your wine bucket list?

Despite Australia’s ‘relative’ proximity to New Zealand. I’ve never been but would love to travel around Marlborough or Central Otago.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Just 8-10 of my closest friends. They could be from the UK who I met while travelling around Turkey, or Aussie people that I’ve known from growing up or my new friends in Hong Kong. We drink some Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque, Soumah Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley and Chateau Margaux

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

Bubbles! It’s a celebration after all. I’d make sure it’s extra good too, so I’d probably say 2004 Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé.