Island Shangri-La somm wins HK Ruinart Challenge

Ka Ho George Wong of the Island Shangri-La has won the 2016  Ruinart Sommelier Challenge in Hong Kong and bagged a trip to the Champagne house in Reims.

Taking place at the Four Seasons on 1 March, Hong Kong’s third Ruinart Sommelier Challenge saw over 27 participants from Hong Kong and Macau battle it out over a blind tasting of four Chardonnays of varying styles – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay from South Africa, Kistler Chardonnay from the US, Ganevat Les Chamois du Paradis from the Jura and Hubert Lamy Chassagne Montrachet – Les Macherelles of Burgundy.

Throughout the challenge, the contestants had to prove their technical know-how and knowledge of Maison Ruinart – the oldest Champagne house founded in 1729 in Reims.

After lunch, the tough judging panel formed by Claudio Salgado, the Consul General of Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne); Roland Muksch vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Wine Society and the deputy consul general of OCC; sommelier Kelvin So (last year’s winner from Galaxy Macau), and Frédéric Panaïotis, Ruinart’s chef de caves finally chose George Wong of the Island Shangri La Hong Kong as the ultimate winner.

“I’m happy to see that this year we have the highest turn-out and each individual had proven their knowledge and passion for the subject. That’s a good sign and shows that Champagne is not just a pleasure but also an artifact of skillful craftsmanship and heritage,” said Panaïotis.

Together with other finalists from Ruinart’s participating regions, George will visit Reims, the birthplace of Ruinart and experience back vintages of its prestigious cuvée, Dom Ruinart as well as a trip to Paris.

“This is my first time at the challenge, and I am so glad that my passion for my career has been respected. I’m excited about the trip and I’m sure there will be a lot to share with my peers when I return, ” he said.