If you love fine wines and great spirits, you won’t want to miss this year’s Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) International Wine & Spirits Fair, one of the largest spirits and wine events in the region, happening at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 7th to 9th November, 2019. Last year’s fair welcomed 1,075 exhibitors from 33 countries while nearly 19,000 trade buyers from 73 countries and regions attended the event.
In its 12th edition this year, the fair promises an incomparable platform of top-tier wine and spirits, featuring some of the best spirits and wine brands from over 1,000 international exhibitors. Only the final day of the fair (9th Nov) will be open to the public. As always, the list of wine exhibitors is an impressive one, with winemakers and trade organisations from France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Chile, Australia, Italy, USA, Canada, and even Japan looking to make their presence felt.
With the extension of the collaboration between the HKTDC and Veronafiere S.p.A., the Vinitaly Pavilion will return to the fair as one of the largest pavilions showcasing fine wines from Italy as well as The World of Olive Oil featuring a huge variety of premium olive oils selected by Vinitaly.
Although wine makes up the bulk of the exhibitors, the spirits category is not to be sniffed at either. From major producers of baijiu in China to the sake brewers of Japan, and also gins, whisky and beer producers from around the world, there will be something for everyone at the fair.
One thing we love about major fairs like this are unique gems nestled among the major exhibitors. This year, some of the more intriguing exhibitors are Norwegian Food and Beverages, with its apple-based Edel ciders (the Edel Hard Cider and Edel Ice Cider should be worth a try!) and Belgium’s Drunken Horse Gin, by Belgium’s Gentlemen’s Craft, which uses 12 botanicals, including the unique Timut pepper, found only on the slopes of the Himalayas in Nepal.
Besides the main event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, there will also be a month-long citywide promotion under the banner of Hong Kong Wine Journey, which will be launched in mid-October 2019. The Hong Kong Wine Journey will feature selected menus and food pairings at restaurants across the city, free corkage at some exceptional dining spots, unique wine tastings and tours, and other events.
Asia’s premium wine and spirits competition, the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition, will also take place during the fair. Held since 2008, the awards takes into consideration the Asian taste and consumption culture when honouring the best wine and spirits of the year. The result serves as the ultimate guide for Asia’s wine and spirits consumers.
For the first time ever, this year’s competition also includes a category for beer. For more information on the competition, visit www.hkiwsc.com/home.
For more information on the fair, visit their website.