International Wine & Spirits Fair Opens Next Thursday
Press Preview to Showcase Fair Highlights Next Wednesday
3 November 2016 – More than 1,060 exhibitors from around the world will showcase a variety of wine, spirits, wine investment, accessories, equipment and related services at the ninth edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, which runs 10 to 12 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Philip Yung, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism), of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, will be the guest of honour at the opening ceremony.
A special press preview of the fair will be held on 9 November, the day before the fair opens, to give the media an early taste of some of the fair highlights.
This year’s Wine & Spirits Fair will feature fine wine and spirits from more than 1,060 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions. Wine producing regions, wine associations and trade commissions will form 30 pavilions to promote their products. Among them, first-time group pavilion organisers include the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation, Bulgarian Wine Export Association, the Economic and Information Technology Commission of Guizhou Province from the Chinese mainland, the Fukushima Prefectural Government and Kyushu Shochu Culture & Tourism Pavilion from Japan, FENADEGAS from Portugal, The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia.
Slovenia has a high-profile presence at the fair this year. The country is located in southern Central Europe, and around 70 per cent of its wines are premium wine. Aiming to reach Asia’s developing markets through Hong Kong, His Excellency, Mr Dejan Židan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, will attend the press and wine tasting sessions “Discover Excellent Wines From Slovenia – Taste the Slovenian Identity” on the first day of the fair (10 November).
Also on display at the fair will be an array of exquisite wines including:
- ABISSI Pas Dosé from Italy—The world’s first sparkling wine that is fermented at the bottom of the sea. In the absence of strong sunlight and with a stable temperature as well as underwater pressure that keeps the bubbles in the wine intact, the structure and aroma of the wine are enhanced.
- Canned Chardonnay—Hong Kong exhibitor Oriental Pearl brings to the fair canned Chardonnay by Andrew Jones, a 35-year-old winemaker from California. Mr Jones broke the rules by storing wine in cans rather than glass bottles.
- Komagatake 2013 Single Cask Whisky Heavily Peated—With only 184 bottles available in Hong Kong, this product is characterised by the fragrance of a bourbon barrel, with a mellow well-rounded flavour of smokiness and wood, ending with a bold powerful finish.
In addition to the Wine & Liquor Products and Whisky and Spirits zones, there are also dedicated zones to promote the industry’s all-round development, such as Wine Investment, Wine Education and Wine Accessories & Equipment.
During the three-day fair, more than 70 special events are arranged, including over 50 tasting sessions, thematic seminars, master classes, educational talks on wine varieties, industry networking, a cocktail reception and a gala dinner. These events provide a comprehensive platform for trading and exchange at the fair.
The eighth edition of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition Award Presentation Ceremony will be held on the first day of the fair, followed by a Gala Wine Dinner, under the Slovenia-inspired theme “I FEEL SLOVENIA”.
The fair is open to the public, aged 18 or above, on Saturday, 12 November. Public visitors can take part in a number of wine-tasting sessions, master classes and attend whisky and cocktail demonstrations.
We cordially invite you or your representatives to attend the Special Media Preview and cover the fair. Details are as follows:
Special Media Preview
Date: 9 November (Wednesday)
Time: 3pm-4:30pm
Press Registration: Hall 3C Entrance, HKCEC
Hosts: Sophia Chong, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC,
Peter Kwong, Renowned Wine Educator, and Owner of “Pu Tao Tang”
Thomas Chung, Founder Chairman of Hong Kong Sommelier Association
Wine & Spirits Fair Schedule
Date: 10-12 November (Thursday to Saturday)
Venue: Hall 3C-G, HKCEC
Opening hours:
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10-11 November
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10:30am-7:30pm Trade visitors only, 18 and above (On-site Registration fee: HK$100) |
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12 November |
10:30am-6pm Trade visitors, 18 and above (On-site Registration fee: HK$100) Public visitors, 18 and above (Admission fee: HK$200) |
Press Registration Counter: Hall 1E Concourse, HKCEC
Media & Webcast Centre: Expo Drive Entrance, HKCEC
Note to editors: Admission to selected wine-tasting sessions is by invitation only.
Fair Website: www.hktdc.com/hkwinefair
Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition: http://www.hkiwsc.com/
Product highlights and photo download: Click here
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication & Public Affairs Department:
Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org