The week in pictures: Hong Kong

Acclaimed American wine critic James Suckling concluded his Great Wines of the World series this year in style. He kicked off the event in Seoul, and continued his tour in Hong Kong and Beijing, where he announced The Wine of the Year Awards. It was the first time Suckling had staged the event in Seoul and he said he “was surprised by the overwhelming response from Korean drinkers”.

dbHK participated in the Hong Kong Grand Tasting and despite the event being moved to start earlier in order to minimise any potential impact due to the local unrest, the Hong Kong crowd was as enthusiastic as always. At the event, visitors had the chance to savour Suckling’s favourite wines of the year, including eight pinnacle wines with 100-points. Nevertheless, few of the exquisite first-growths labels, namely Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild and Louis Roederer’s Cristal, were definitely the major highlights for most wine lovers as reflected by their enthralled reception.

Viña Errázuriz and dbHK co-organised a masterclass of the new vintage release of the Chilean winery’s ‘icon’ wines hosted by chief winemaker Francisco Baettig.

In the session, Baettig led us on a tour of the best terroirs and wines from the Aconcagua Valley to the Andes Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. For the tasting, as well as savouring the 2017 vintage release of Don Maximiano, Kai and La Cumbre from the interior of the valley, Baettig also displayed the ageing potential of Don Maximiano via a 2007 vintage; the exclusive 2018 release of Las Pizarras coming from the cooler Aconcagua Costa was also well received by the audience.

dbHK joined Alessandra Boscaini, family member and director of sales of Masi, for an artistic afternoon after the announcement of the new edition of the Masi ‘Costasera’ Contemporary Art project.

Started eight years ago, the biennial project selects an internationally famous artist, with origins in a country linked to Masi and its wines, in every edition. The artist will produce a work of art for the house, which is then reproduced on a selection of bottles of Costasera from a particularly fine vintage.

Unveiling its fourth edition, the spotlight was cast on Chinese painter He Xi, who is known for his refined paintings on silk and rice paper. He embellished the label of the Amarone Costasera 2001 with his art, with inspirations based on the romantic stories of Romeo and Juliet and Butterfly Lovers. Only 3,000 bottles of the special edition of Costasera Amarone 2001 with He Xi label are available. ASC Fine Wines is the distributor for the wine in China and Hong Kong.

Californian producer Quintessa presented the latest 2016 vintage release in Hong Kong. Rodrigo Soto, general manager of the winery, hosted a special luncheon to introduce Quintessa via a tasting of few vintages along the current release.

The winery was founded by Agustin and Valeria Huneeus in the mid 1980s in Napa Valley. The Chilean couple worked against the stereotypes of Californian wine to achieve the result of elegant wines with length and freshness. According to Soto, the latest vintage epitomises the goal of the wine and it is available now in Watson’s Wine.

Hailing from Uruguay, Christian Wylie, managing director of Uruguay’s Bodega Garzón, brought along the latest vintage of ‘Balasto’ to Hong Kong. Wylie hosted a vertical tasting for the media to examine the newly released 2017 alongside the 2016 and 2015 – the first release of the winery. As one of the keen players in the new world, the wines displayed immense potential in various expressions and Wylie revealed 2018 is going to be the best they have produced as of yet.

ASC Fine Wines rounded off the 11th edition of its World Tour in the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong. The event featured its full portfolio including Beam Suntory Sprits and wide range of Grand Cru selections.

Participants were spoilt by some of the best of Bordeaux with renowned labels such as Château Canon, Château Lagrange, Château Pontet-Cane and Domaine Barons de Rothschild.

Peter Sisseck, the figurehead behind legendary Spanish label Dominio de Pingus, was on a whirlwind trip to Hong Kong. Local importer Corney & Barrow organised a luncheon with wine selection of vintage 2015 and 2012 from Sisseck’s Bordeaux estate Château Rocheyron in Saint-Emilion as well as Dominio de Pingus. Sisseck shared his philosophy on sustainability, especially the idea of shaping the social infrastructure of the region by production at the winery.

The HKIWSC held its annual awards ceremony and gala dinner last week during the HKTDC Wine & Spirits Fair. The dinner provided an opportunity for the industry to mingle and enjoy food and wines prepared by a star chef.