Week in pictures: Hong Kong

This week, we bring to you some of the hit events in the drinks industry, from Felton Road winemaker Blair Walter’s masterclass to a wine and art pairing tasting hosted by The Flying Winemaker Eddie McDougall.

Mark Haisma, the former winemaker at Australia’s Yarra Yering, has found his calling in Burgundy. The dynamic winemaker was in Hong Kong this week doing a tasting with local fine wine retailer Ginsberg & Chan, showcasing the 2014 and 2015 vintages of his wines – 2014 Saint Romain ‘Combe Bazin’, 2014 Morey Saint Denis Premier Cru ‘Les Chaffots’, 2014 Pommard Premier Cru ‘Clos les Arvelets’, 2014 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru. In addition, the winemaker also makes a Vin de France Syrah/Grenache blend, which as he put it is a, “guzzling wine for your Wednesday pizza night” that you should “stick your ice or soda” in. All the wines are available at Ginsberg & Chan.

A wine and art tasting was hosted by Eddie McDougall, The Flying Winemaker at Awethentic Studio in Central. The tasting featured three wines from Australia – a Vasse Felix Chardonnay and Cloudburst’s Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. An engaging VR section was featured as well to let attendees experience winemaking at Cloudburst in Margaret River.

A guest was having fun during his VR section at the wine and art tasting, using a “paint brush” to mimic real life painting through augmented virtual reality.

Blair Walter, winemaker at Felton Road in Central Otago, New Zealand, was in Hong Kong talking about the subject of organic, biodynamic and sustainable winemaking at a SPIT workshop organised by Meiburg Wine Media. The winemaker dissected elements including wild yeast, fining and filtration and how they affect winemaking at the workshop.

Wine professionals listen attentively as Blair Walter of Felton Road explain the details about organic, biodynamic and sustainable winemaking. A total of 12 wines from six wineries were showcased at the workshop.