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James Suckling to open wine bar in HK
US wine critic and Hong Kong resident James Suckling is to open a wine bar in the city later this year it has been revealed, serving a wide array of fine wines by the glass using Coravin.
Speaking to the drinks business‘ sister magazine dbHK, Suckling announced he would be opening the bar and ‘showroom’ this year, potentially to be called ‘James Suckling Wine Central’, although he did not divulge where it would be located.
Talking to managing editor Natalie Wang, however, he did say: “My wine bar – actually a wine showroom – will feature all the wines from my events in Hong Kong including Great Wines of World, Great Wines of Italy, and Bordeaux Confidential. So people will have the chance to taste a wine from each producer at my events all of the time instead of just 3.5 hours for one day. All the wines will be served by the glass with Coravin”.
Given that Suckling’s events regularly feature wines such as Bordeaux first growths, Super Tuscans, top Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino, prestige Champagne and other highlights from Burgundy, California and elsewhere around the world, the potential for some extremely smart wines being served by the glass is high indeed.
Suckling was speaking to dbHK for a story on why Hong Kong, for all its fine wine glitz and glamour, actually lacks a wider array of dedicated wine bars.
He said: “A lot of it has to do with finding the space. It’s really hard to find good restaurant space in Hong Kong. We are still finalising our lease now. But also running a wine bar with good food is no easy matter. It takes a good team and great knowledge about wine. We should be able to do that with my team at JamesSuckling.com and at our wine showroom/restaurant James Suckling Wine Central”.
But he’s still going to keep reviewing and scoring wines? No potential for conflicts of interest and shakedown possibilities here, no sir..
It’s been hard to take his scores seriously since he left Wine Spectator. I think it’s now become impossible!
His wine reviews have more conflicts of interest than the Trump administration. And I’ve always wondered how someone can be both a cigar and wine critic, given the negative impact smoking has on one’s palate and ability to taste.