Essential information
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific Hong Kong
29-31 May, 2012
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
Expo Drive
Wancha
Hong Kong
China
Opening time: 9.30-18.30
Who's there
Those confirmed to exhibit include Rémy Cointreau, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Advini, Champagne Louis Roederer (France), KWV, DGB (South Africa), Treasury Wine Estates (Australia), Jackson Family Wines (US), Zonin, Gancia (Italy), Gonzales-Byass, Baron de Ley (Spain), Concha y Toro, Santa Rita (Chile), Grupo Penaflor (Argentina), Dynasty and Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine (China).
The show is larger this year, with an extra 2,000sq m, bringing the total floor area to 10,500sq m.
Around the show
Check out Juanico’s stand (DE14, Uruguay Pavilion). The company is launching the Familia Deicas Group’s Pueblo del Sol wines. General manager and chief winemaker Santiago Deicas will be on hand to answer questions.
Hayman’s gin (stand E54) has also turned its attention eastwards and will be at the 2012 show. Director James Hayman says: “Asia is predominantly a dark spirits market but we are seeing an emerging interest in the gin category as the cocktail culture starts to develop in the region.”
Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) and Wolf Blass head winemaker Chris Hatcher is to lead a series of 11 masterclasses throughout the event to show off the company’s New World portfolio.
Among the winemakers and ambassadors at the show will be Ed Sbragia of Beringer, Wynns Coonawarra’s Sue Hodder, Nicolai St George of New Zealand brand Matua and Penfolds wine ambassador Jamie Sach.
TWE will be hosting the masterclasses on its own stand (Hall 1 stand DE-93) in a custom-designed 20-seater tasting room.
In addition, TWE will also showcase some new product development. Most notable will be the inaugural vintage of Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, which is set to be unveiled as part of the 2012 Luxury & Icon release.
If biodynamic Chablis is your thing, go along to Brocard’s stand (FG 37-10) and talk to the French producer’s commercial representative in Asia, Frédéric Brouca.
For a taste of France, Le Club des Grands Domaines features eight of the 17 winemakers from the Vignobles & Signatures’ club, which was created 28 years ago by winemakers from all over France.
The eight present at the show will be Champagne Drappier, Jean Durup Pere & Fils from Chablis, Saint André de Figuière from Côtes de Provence, Roger Groult from Calvados, Domaine de l’Hortus from Côteaux de Languedoc, Alain Jaume & Fils from southern Rhône, Louis Tête from Beaujolais and Château de Tracy from Pouilly Fumé. Special offers for new clients on their first orders from any of the eight producers at Vinexpo Asia are to apply and you can see Champagne Drappier’s new livery at the show. Visit stand HJ44.
Concha y Toro will be focusing on the 2008 vintage from the Fine Wine Collection, including Don Melchor, Carmin de Peumo and Gravas del Maipo. There will also be a preview of new packaging and two new SKUs for the Asian market – the Casillero del Diablo Late Harvest and Pinot Grigio. Stand CD16.
Janneau armagnac is to launch Dragon Vintages – a series of three armagnacs from three years of the dragon. They are a 24-year-old, a 36-years-old and a 48-year-old. Check them out at stand C72.
Masterclass pass
You can also buy a Certificate Programme Pass – the pass, for trade professionals, includes access to three masterclasses:
T for Tasting, presented by Andreas Larsson. The one-hour masterclass is entitled Looking Beyond the Label – the Virtues of Blind Tasting
M for Matching, presented by Hong Kong resident Debra Meiburg MW. Meiburg has spoken throughout Asia about the finer points of wine appreciation. Meiburg will deliver a one-hour master class on Eight Treasures: Pairing Wines with Chinese Flavour
S is for Sales will cover the Asian approach to the evolution of wine consumption in the region.
All three masterclasses will be repeated four times over three days and you can get a certificate at the end. Its costs $100 (HKD1,000)
