The aim of the WSTA’s British drinks delegation was to increase awareness of English wine and British gin, help boost exports from those producers already in market and to help those producers keen to export to Hong Kong for the first time.
WSTA chief executive, Miles Beale said: “Hong Kong is one of the top target markets identified by WSTA members - both for British gin and English wine exports. I am delighted that we have been able to work so closely with the British Consulate here in Hong Kong to produce this week’s bespoke programme of events.
“Following this visit we are even more convinced that Hong Kong holds significant potential for British gin and English wine. Moreover we learned about future opportunities in mainland China, for which exporters need to start planning well in advance.”
The programme included a briefing from UK Consulate staff on commercial operations in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou; and hear from commercial organisations sharing first hand experience of trading in wine and spirits in the region.
Thursday saw participating brands showcasing their products in a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event to a wide range of importers, distributors, retailers and opinion formers. The event, which lasted four hours, also included a briefing and demonstration of his award winning gin-based cocktail by Maxim Schulte, Bar Manager, Ritz Carlton Macau.
Maxim Schulte, Beefeater MIXLDN global winner and bar manager, Ritz-Carlton Macau added: “The gin scene in Hong Kong and Macau is growing rapidly.
“When I joined our bar at the Ritz Carlton, we were ‘gin centric’ with 25 gins on our shelves. We now stock 150 from around the globe, making us world leaders on the cocktail scene and British gins such as Beefeater 24 are amongst my favourite to work with.”
The trade mission rounded off with a series of tutored tastings of each WSTA participant’s brands led by MW and Hong Kong based wine journalist, Sarah Heller.
