‘Fantastic’ 2015 Burgundy vintage highlighted in HK

The upcoming annual Bourgogne Week in Hong Kong will highlight the much-anticipated “fantastic” 2015 Burgundy vintage as well as the “excellent” wines of 2014.

Over 20 trade and consumer events aimed at broadening Hong Kong’s wine lovers’ knowledge will be in full flow from 27 February-3 March as the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) returns with its annual Bourgogne Week.

The highlight of the week will be the One Day for Bourgogne Wines on 28 February where over 50 domaines will be showcased by some of Hong Kong’s best merchants who will introduce the “fantastic” 2015 vintage, along with the “excellent” wines of 2014.

Wine companies involved include Altaya, ASC, Continental Wines, Corney & Barrow, Fine Wine Experience, Ginsberg & Chan, Jebsen Fine Wines, Kerry, Links Concept, Madison, Montrose, One Red Dot and Telford, among others.

There will also be the Chablis White Party, this year held at Crown Wine Cellars on 1 March for the media and trade which will introduce the popular Chablis promotion that will run throughout March and shine a light on seven Chablis expressions, from village level to grand cru.

Burgundy has long been dear to Hong Kongers’ hearts – being the most popular French region after Bordeaux – with BIVB reporting that Hong Kong has become Burgundy’s fifth biggest export market in terms of value.

In 2016, exports increased 16.3% by volume and was worth  €43 million in revenue in 2016 – an increase of 9% from 2015 – it said.

Anne Moreau, a member of the Communication Commission of BIVB who will be in Hong Kong for the week, said, “Hong Kong is a dynamic, mature wine market with highly sophisticated wine lovers. It was obvious that a Bourgogne Week elsewhere than in the UK had to be in Hong Kong.”

Wines from 2014 and 2015 will also be in the spotlight throughout the week with BIVB reporting to be “delighted” with the 2015 harvest which was characterised by a warm growing season followed by much needed rainfall.

Moreau said:  “In 2015, the grapes were just perfect. The fruit was in impeccable condition and at optimal ripeness: a winning duo. Unusual conditions resulted in some magnificent grapes, the foundation of a great vintage. Just over a year after the harvest, tasting confirms what everyone anticipated – that the generous wines from this sunny vintage will be noteworthy.”

2014 was also an “excellent vintage”, she continued. “The whites show beautifully, they are fantastic at their best, combining acidity with concentration, precision with fruit weight. The reds are attractive and full of fruit, likely to afford lots of drinking pleasure. No doubt that 2014 is a vintage that the consumers will love.”

For more information on Bourgogne Week in Hong Kong, visit the event website.