The week in pictures: Hong Kong

Pinot Noir came under close scrutiny at our latest Asian Pinot Noir Masters held at Berry Bros & Rudd’s office in Central. A distinguished panel of judges examined the ‘temperamental’ red grape variety that challenges many winemakers if treated without care or attention. The judges included (from left to right) Sarah Heller MW, proprietor of Heller Beverage Advisory; Amanda Longworth, head of Marketing and Wine Services, Berry Bros & Rudd, Hong Kong; Darius Allyn MS, proprietor of Wineworks Consulting Services; Natalie Wang, online editor of the drinks business Hong Kong (observing); Jude Mullins, International Development Director of WSET; Henry Chang, beverage manager of The China Club; and Ivy Ng, publisher of the drinks business Hong Kong.

Speaking of one jammy, high-alcohol Pinot sample, Henry Chang, beverage manager of The China Club, argues that despite the delicate berry flavours that people cherish in the thin-skinned grape, some customers prefer the former style as an alternative.

Judges sharing a laugh during judging deliberation.

Darius Allyn MS served as one of the judges for our Asian Pinot Noir Masters, held on 20 September at Berry Bros & Rudd’s office in Central, Hong Kong.

Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the legendary Italian designer of the same name, talks to guests about his 1,000-ha luxury complex Il Borro in Tuscany that houses a hotel, restaurants and an estate winery that produces a total of 11 wines including a Bordeaux blend called ‘Il Borro’ and an amphorae wine ‘Petruna’. The wines are distributed by Watson’s Wine in Hong Kong.

Hélène Garcin-Lévêque, owner of Clos L’Eglise, Château Poesia, Château d’Arce and Poesia in Lujan de Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina, hosted a media lunch at Park Lane Hotel, treating guests with an extensive range of wines dating back to 1998 Clos L’Eglise.

Hélène Garcin-Lévêque also hosted a masterclass showing 20 vintages from her boutique estate Clos L’Eglise from 1997 to 2016.

From left to right: Damien Yvon, general manager and winemaker of Clos Henri, and Jean-Marie Bourgeois, president and owner of Henri Bourgeois, showcasing their wines at a wine dinner at An Nam restaurant in Hong Kong, hosted by their local importer ASC Fine Wines. Clos Henri is the New Zealand venture of the famous Bourgeois family based in Sancerre, Loire Valley.

Two Michelin-starred chef Pino Lavarra at Ritz-Carlton’s Tosca restaurant (fourth on the right) curated a wine menu, paired with wines from Gianfranco Fino from Puglia, Feudi di San Gregorio from Campania, Tasca d’Almerita from Sicily and Bellavista from Lombardy, along with three guest chefs from these wine regions.