All the medallists from the db Asia Summer Tasting 2024

As the heat rises, consumers in Asia will be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking wines and spirits to drink. Cecilia Wong and a team of judges put a host of expressions to the taste test, and found some stand-out tipples.

This year, our Summer Tasting brings together a wide spectrum of wines and spirits, offering up a diversity of choice for different summer occasions, whether it be having a glass of chilled rosé to cool down your hot summer, or getting a bottle of red wine to match with your summer barbecue party.

There are even options for those partial to mixing your own whisky or Cognac Highball, or trying out a cream liqueur on the rocks as an ice cream alternative.

On the wine side, we had 13 entries in total, from France, South Africa, and Chile. The results were encouraging, with two Master awards, five Golds, four Silvers and two Bronze awards. As for spirits, our panel of judges tasted 17 entries from all over the world, originating from India, the UK, Ireland, US, France, and The Netherlands. The tasting garnered eight Gold awards and nine Silver awards.

This year’s Summer Tasting competition panel include Cecilia Wong, co-chair of the drinks business Asia Masters; Betsy Haynes, managing director of Hong Kong’s Northeast Wines & Spirits; Hugo Poon, head of sourcing and operations at Crop & Vine; and Joseph Choi, deputy general manager of the wine division at Telford International Co.

Summer wine

All 13 entries were categorised under unoaked or oaked still wine, divided into different price ranges, including one rosé wine and 12 reds.

All four judges were delighted to have awarded two Master awards in this competition, one of which went to VIK La Piu Belle 2021, from Millahue, Cachapoal, Chile, (price range HK$550-HK$600) in the oaked red wine category. All the judges found it very concentrated, with great ageing potential. The wine’s label, designed by Chilean artist Gonzalo Cienfuegos, is one you are not likely to forget once you see it. The red blend is made with 76% Carmenère, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc, aged in French oak for at least 20 months. It has a deep ruby colour, good acidity, great structure, with floral, herbal, oak, intense ripe red and black fruit notes. “I really like it,” said Poon. “It’s concentrated, pronounced, well integrated with great details. It has perhaps five to seven years of ageing potential. It’s enjoyable”.

Another Master award was given to Viña San Pedro Cabo de Hornos Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, from Cachapoal Valley, Chile (price range HK$800-HK$850), in the oaked red wine category. It’s made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and has been aged in oak for 22 months. It has a deep ruby colour, firm and silky tannins, with ripe black fruits, nutmeg, violet, oak and sweet spices notes. Judge Joseph Choi said: “It’s well balanced and elegant, with good acidity, oak and intense ripe black fruits. It’s one of my favourites in today’s competition.”

All of the five Gold awards were found in the oaked red wine category. Priced at HK$150-HK$200, one Gold award went to VIK A Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, from Millahue, Cachapoal, Chile, with “blackberries, olives, toasty, and spice notes”.

The judges awarded two Gold medals to wines in the HK$250-HK$300 price range, including Viña San Pedro 1865 Heritage Blend 2021, from Central Valley, Chile, with “red and black fruits, toasty, licorice notes”, and VIK Milla Cala 2021, from Millahue, Cachapoal, Chile, with “black cherries, oak, olive, and spice notes”.

Viña San Pedro Sideral 2021, from Cachapoal Andes Valley, Chile (price range HK$350-HK$400), also won a Gold award, with “black plum, ripe red cherries, sweet spices and herbal notes”.

Last but not least, the final Gold award went to Viña San Pedro Altair 2020, from Cachapoal Andes Valley, Chile (price range HK$800-HK$850), with “toasty, blackberries, black pepper, and spice notes”.

Summer Spirits

An impressive array of categories made up this year’s summer spirits competition, ranging from vodka, gin, Irish whiskey, and American whiskey to Cognac and cream liqueur. The judges were thrilled to have awarded eight Gold awards in this competition.

In the gin category, under the price range HK$250-HK$300, Highclere Castle Gin from the UK won a Gold award, with its “citrus, juniper berries, herbal, and floral notes”.

Another Gold award in the gin category was given to Xin Gin, from Ireland (price range HK$350-HK$400), with “lemon zest, coriander, juniper berries, and rounded notes”. Cecilia Wong commented: “It’s very aromatic, with candied lemon peel, citrus, coriander seeds, floral and juniper berries. I like the expressive flavours and roundness.”

As for American whiskey, there were three Gold awards. Tennessee-based Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Premium Whiskey – Batch 101 (price range HK$700-HK$750) nabbed a Gold medal for its “toasted nuts, dark caramel, date and dried prune notes”.

Another Gold award in the American whiskey – Tennessee category (price range HK$1,100-HK$1,200), went to Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 032 with “oak, dried raisin, spices, and dark caramel”. “It’s elegant, nice and rounded with toffee, dark fruit and toasty notes,” said Haynes of Northeast Wines & Spirits. “It’s tasty, and I certainly would sip it neat.”

The third American whiskey that claimed a Gold award went to Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered Straight Whiskey – Batch 005, an American rye (price range HK$1,100-HK$1,200) with “oak, caramel, grain and spiced notes”.

As for Cognac, VSOP premium expression Cognac Frapin Imperial, (HK$650-HK$700) took home a Gold, with its “orange blossom, toasty, caramel, and pear notes”.

The judges awarded another Gold medal in the Cognac category to Cognac Frapin Imperial XO (HK$1,700-HK$1,800), with “baked apple, baked pear, oak, and spice notes”.

One cream liqueur also took home Gold. Creamy Creation’s Mango Carabao Rum Cream Liqueur Concept, from The Netherlands, impressed the judges with its “mango, rum spices, and yoghurt notes”. It’s clear from the drinks on offer at this competition that no matter what your tastes are, this summer there is something to excite any palate, and ensure your gatherings will go with a swing.

Summer tasting 2024 – Wine

Summer tasting 2024 – Spirits