Le Grand Tasting Hong Kong doubles in 2010

Le Grand Tasting Hong Kong takes place at the third annual Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Fair, November 4-6. This year 48 winemakers will travel to Hong Kong to showcase their wines compared to 22 in 2009.

The prestigous French wine communications and consultancy firm Bettane & Desseauve created Le Grand Tasting Paris in 2006 and then launched Le Grand Tasting Hong Kong in 2009 with the Hong Kong-based wine consultancy Simon Tam's Independent Wine Centre (IWC).

Both events are opportunities for wine lovers and buyers to experience French wines; additionally, a series of master classes will be held in Hong Kong November 4-6 that include Yquem for HKD 3,500 (€325) and both Bouchard (Bourgogne) and Château Prieuré Lichine (Margaux) are free.

On October 27, Relaxnews spoke with Kenny Galloway of Domaine du Closel in Savennières, France and he said Le Grand Tasting Hong Kong and the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Fair make up "the entry point for wine imports in Asia."

At the expo Domaine du Closel will be showcasing some of its biodynamic wines including Anjou-Villages 2005, Clos du Papillon 2005, La Jalousie and une Emotion.

In September, wine guru Jancis Robinson traveled and tasted 35 different Savennieres wines and Galloway added "our Clos du Papillon 2007 was her #2 favorite of the pack (17.5/20 rating)!"

Robinson published her favorites on her site JancisRobinson.com, honored as the "International Wine Website of the Year" by the Champagne Louis Roederer International Wine Writers Awards, and in the newspaper Financial Times.

For more information on Le Grand Tasting Hong Kong and the master classes schedule, visit: http://www.iwinecentre.com/

About the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair
The 3rd annual event boasts all things alcoholic to drink and "friends of wine" like specialty food items (baked goods, sweets, nuts, dairy products, seafood, pasta, cooking oils and preserved foods). A highlight of the fair is the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition, the world's first "authentically Asian and largest pan-Asian" "wine, spirit and food pairing competition," which includes awards for Best Wine with Sashimi, Dim Sum, Kung Pao Chicken, Braised Abalone and Peking Duck. The professional trade event is open to the public (adults aged 18+ only) on November 6 with tickets priced at HK$200/€19.
http://www.hktdc.com/fair/hkwinefair-en/