The week in pictures: Hong Kong

Christian Zhang, chief sommelier at Noah’s Yacht Club in Shanghai, was named the champion of the inaugural Canadian Wine Sommelier Champion of Greater China. Canadian Consulate General in Hong Kong, Jeff Nankivell, presented the award to Zhang at his residence in Hong Kong on 23 November.

Five finalists from Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Guangzhou competed in the finale of Canadian Wine Sommelier Champion of Greater China. Pictured above from left to right are Alan Zhong, head sommelier of Conrad Guangzhou, Yedong Xu of Waldorf Astoria Chengdu, Christian Zhang of Noaht Yacht Club on the Bund Shanghai, Juwan Kim of Zuma Hong Kong and Ivan Weichong Ye from Peninsula Hotel in Beijing. 

Prior to unveiling the winners of the competition, the Canadian consulate general organised a walk-around tasting for media and trade professionals to showcase wines from Ontario, British Columbia and the Okanagan Valley.

Wine specialist Marjolaine Roblette Geres has launched a new project called ‘My Wine Experience’, a wine concept where participants can have their own wine workshop in the comfort of their home. The workshops will include a tasting of three or four fine wines that Geres has selected, in addition to specifically designed interactive activities including games, aroma workshops, quizzes and, depending on the theme, blind tastings. 

Château Léoville Las Cases unveiled its newly released ‘Leoville Las Cases 1986 Grape Varieties Limited Edition Set’, with only 100 cases available worldwide. This case consists of two bottles of Léoville Las Cases 1986, together with examples of the four wines that make up the blend of the vintage, namely – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The set is available from Omtis Fine Wines.

Salon 2006 was a hit at Altaya Wines’ annual portfolio tasting as thirsty drinkers surrounded Didier Depond, president of Champagne Salon and Delamotte, at the Altaya Wines’ grand tasting held at HKCEC last week for a taste of his newly released sparkler. The vintage Champagne was described by the vintner as “romantic” and is “quite open on release”.

American wine critic James Suckling was spotted at the Altaya grand tasting, which showcased more than 250 wines from around the world. The critic is hosting his Great Wines of Italy event in Hong Kong on 7 December.

Hong Kong importer Cottage Vineyards held a wine dinner at St. Regis in Macau commemorating the wedding banquet of Florentine noblewoman Caterina de Medici to Henry II in 1553 with a 18L Melchior of Tenuta Le Farnete Carmignano DOCG 2015, a blend of a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pictured above are Ada Leung, sales & marketing director of Cottage Vineyards; Dario Pierazzuoli, winemaker and owner of Tenuta Cantagallo e Le Farnete; Giuseppe D’Angelo, Guest Chef; Sarah Negro, the Deputy Italian Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong and Macau and Ben Bost, Beverage Manager, St. Regis Macau, uncorking the Melchior .

Dario Pierazzuoli, winemaker and owner of Tenuta Cantagallo e Le Farnete talked to dinner guests about the 18L Melchoir of Tenuta Le Farnete Carmignano DOCG 2015, released to celebrate the life of Caterina de Medici. The noblewoman is said to have taught the French how to eat with a fork, and introduced new recipes such as ice cream and pastries, as well as new ingredients such as artichokes.

Local wine importer Wine House Limted hosted a wine tasting featuring renowned Italian Amarone wine producer, Dal Forno Romano, at Tosca restaurant in Ritz-Carlton Hotel, highlighting its 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages of Amarone, and Valpolicella 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Zuma Hong Kong’s bar development manager, Arkadiusz Rybak, launched a new range of ‘Bushido cocktails’, paying homage to Japan’s famed samurais.