Here’s what’s happening at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2018

Vinexpo Hong Kong, one of the biggest fixtures in the global wine trade calendar, is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the end of May — here’s what you need to know.

There has been an 8% rise in exhibitors this year, with around 1,400 wineries, distributors, mixologists and more from more than 30 countries around the world set to descend on Hong Kong’s Convention and Exhibition Centre for the three-day trade festival on 29 May.

The exhibition will kick off with the China Market Conference, where a panel of experts brought together by Vinexpo will reveal the trends and forecasts for a market set to become the world’s second biggest market in value behind the United States by 2021.

This year, Australia is Vinexpo’s Country of Honour, and each day will have a section devoted to the country’s wide variety of wines, from Pinot Noir to Margaret River Chardonnay, as well as an in-depth lecture on Australia’s varied terroirs.

Also in the New World, Chilean producers will showcase their wines through a series of masterclasses hosted by local wineries Seña, Clos Apalta and Viña Almaviva, which is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

When it comes to the Old World, Italy will get its moment in the sun with a number of events, of which the Valpolicella 50th Anniversary tour will be a highlight. The show will also host the launch of Super Tuscan Solaia 2015 with global wine heavyweight James Suckling, and a Prosecco masterclass with Sonoma County-born critic Debra Meiburg MW.

As the world’s largest exporter to China, France will also have a strong presence at the event later this month. While the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux will be showcasing the 2015 vintage, several tastings are also planned with the Graves Crus Classés and St Emilion Grands Crus Classés.

Master Sommelier Yang Lu take a lecture demystifying the microclimates of Burgundy, while his colleague Sarah Heller MW will talk about the extensive number of terroirs in the Rhône Valley.

Wednesday 30 May will be devoted to Grenache, with several talks and tastings showcasing French, Australian, Spanish and US expressions of the grape.

For more information about the event, visit the Vinexpo Hong Kong website.