06.26.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:32 pm by admin
Upcoming Beijing wine-related events
Thursday, June 26, LAN, 7 PM, RMB280
Lafite wine from France, Chile, Argentina; RSVP with Jennifer Zhang at 6562-1800, x102 / jennifer.zhang@summergate.com.
Thursday, June 26, 7-8:30 PM, Bentos & Berries (Kerry Centre), free
South African wine tasting, with 8 wines, 4 estates, by Top Cellar; RSVP: 13521-434-994, marketing@topcellar.com.cn or here.
Friday, June 27, 7-9 PM, Cellar Le Pinot, RMB50
Rose wine tasting, with wine from 5 countries; to RSVP or for info, contact Joy Zhou at zhoumeixing@lepinot.com.
Friday, June 27, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Cafe (Guanghua Lu), RMB100
Merlot tasting, with 5 wines from 4 countries; RSVP with Frank at 13701-178-073.
Saturday, June 28, 6:30 PM, Maison Boulod (Legation Quarter), RMB4888
Haut-Brion / La Mission Haut-Brion dinner, with 7 wines, by ASC; with wineries’ owner Prince Robert of Luxembourg, GM / winemaker Jean-Philippe Delmas, and, for restaurant opening, chef Daniel Boulud; RSVP with Helen Lu at helenlu@asc-wines.com / 6587-3803.
Monday, June 30, 1:30-5 PM, Hilton Beijing, RSVP - see below
French Wine Trade Show, by Sopexa; with wines from 10 French operations seeking importer links; RSVP with Adele Jia at adele.jia@sopexa.com.cn or 6588-8675/77. Similar events will be held in Shanghai on July 1 (RSVP: Ling Wang at Ling.wang@sopexa.com.cn) and Shenzhen on July 3 (RSVP: Guangdong@sopexa.com.cn).
Thursday, July 10, 7-8.30 PM, Amigo (Central Park), free
Rose and white wine tasting, by Top Cellar; RSVP at 13521-434-994 or marketing@topcellar.com.cn.
July 12, Aria, RMB1888
Wine dinner with critic Robert Joseph, with Chateau Leoville Le Case wines (2005, 1993, 1983, 1975), by Jebsen; RSVP with Danny Kane at danny.kane@shangri-la.com.
August 5-7 Blu Lobster, RMB2888 + 15%
“Creative cuisine” event with Pascal Barbot and Christophe Rohat of L’Astrance and Brian McKenna of Blu Lobster. More details to come.
Note: If you intend to attend any of the above events, it is best to confirm the details with the venue ahead of time. To get a wine event listed, send event info, preferably in text format, to beijingboyce@yahoo.com.
Permalink
06.04.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:52 pm by admin
(Note: This translation my post on the May 26 trade tasting with Robert Parker, held in Beijing by ASC, was facilitated by Ma Huiqin, professor at China Agricultural University.)
2008年5月26日，ASC精品葡萄酒公司举办了由知名葡萄酒评论家罗伯特·帕克主持的葡萄酒品尝活动，并回答了媒体的提问。帕克说他寻找那些展示着葡萄原料的纯粹性、尊重葡萄整体性的葡萄酒，“当你喝一口或者闻一下，这样的酒会象磁石一样深深地吸引你。”
问：您曾经试过中国葡萄酒或者访问过中国的葡萄酒厂吗，如果您去过的话，印象如何？
答：我不得不请求暂时不回答这个问题，今天下午我将会品尝几款产品。我也想尝尝不好的产品，来了解一下它们出于什么样的状态。中国葡萄酒的质量将逐年提高，回想30年前的美国葡萄酒市场，当时有很多“很糟糕”的廉价的葡萄酒，而此后葡萄酒的质量突飞猛进。
问：您被当作是影响波尔多葡萄酒价格的主要因素，当今越来越多的亚洲人热衷于购买波尔多酒，因此您的评分在这里拥有巨大的影响力，您如何回应那些说您影响力过于巨大的评价呢？
答：很高兴有人关注我做出的评价，但是我觉得说我在百分制里能以一分之差对一个葡萄酒厂的生意产生百万美元的影响，这多少有点令人胆寒。我想对我的关注也许有些过多，但对我的关注多一些，比对另外一些人的关注多一些要好。葡萄酒评论家必须对自己真实，最终你得写下你心里真正相信的东西，然后让消费者和市场做出抉择。
问：请评价一下即将在台湾出版的“葡萄酒皇帝”（The Emperor of Wine）中文版
答：这是一本未经授权的关于我的传记，这本书的作者在一开始的时候曾经和我联系，并且说这本书的核心将是葡萄酒产业，但这种说法实际并不尽然。总体上，这本书还算写得不错，以后再出的其它几本关于我的书，对我算不上特别友好，我把这些当作成功所必然包含的代价。那天在长城上的晚餐会，我站在长城上，想到这本书叫“葡萄酒皇帝”，是啊，现在才算真正到了这里（大笑）。
问：您将如何参与中国的葡萄酒市场
答：我的网络主页拥有海量的关于葡萄酒的信息资源，可以译成中文。手机也是传播信息的载体。访问中国，做各种品尝活动和进行讲座是一件重要的事情，这能让人们认识到你是一个什么样的人，是一个爱葡萄酒的人。今天的中国，在葡萄酒方面比30年前的美国要先进很多，在我这一代人里，很多美国人到欧洲去旅行，才开始喜欢上葡萄酒，而这里你们的进步要快很多。我想参与到这个过程中，展示我对葡萄酒的激情与热爱。
（马会勤 译）
Permalink
06.01.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:26 pm by admin
By Jim Boyce
The wine auction held Saturday night in Hong Kong by Acker Merrall & Condit brought in HKD64 million (USD8.2 million), according to Bloomberg:
The top lot, 12 bottles of 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fetched HK$1.89 million, the high end of an estimated range and an auction record for a case of Romanée-Conti…. The item is one of about 900 lots Acker had expected would fetch a total of $6 million. About 92 percent of lots offered sold. Acker will return for a second auction in November to offer about 1,000 lots, President John Kapon said.
Hong Kong abolished wine duties in February and aims to become a wine hub. Kapon is quoted as saying that Chinese buyers won “about 30 percent of the top 20 lots.”
Permalink
05.28.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:37 pm by admin
Upcoming Beijing wine-related events
Tuesday, May 27-Thursday, May 29, 9:30 AM-6:30 PM, Hong Kong Exhibition Center
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, international wine and spirits exhibitions for trade professionals.
Friday, May 30, 7-8:30 PM, Bento & Berries (Kerry Centre Hotel), free
Deutz Champagne tasting, by Top Cellar; RSVP with Cedric at marketing@topcellar.com.cn / 13439-467-514.
Friday, May 30, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Cafe (Sanlitun), RMB 100
Rose tasting, with 5 wines; RSVP with Frank at 13701-178-073.
Sunday, June 1, 5:30 PM, Pinnacle Plaza (Shunyi), RMB200
Maison Albert Bichot tasting, with Sommelier Delphine De la Fouchardie; by Palette Wines; RSVP with Dazz Ma at 8046-4461 / dazzling@palettewines.cn
Tuesday, June 3, 4-8 PM, 1949: The Hidden City, RMB150
Global wine extravaganza, with leaders from 20 wineries - Joseph Phelps, Seghesio, Trimbach, Meerlust , Santa Rita, etc; by ASC; RSVP with Helen at helenlu@asc-wines.com.
Saturday, June 14, 3-6 PM, Ritz-Carlton Financial Street, RMB120
The Culinary Coin Festival, with free-flow Champagne / wine, coffee, chocolate, and more.
Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Greenfish (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Volker Drkosch, 1-star Michelin chef; RSVP at 6601-6666.
Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Cepe (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Claudio Sadlerm, Michelin star chef; RSVP at 6601-6666.
Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Qi (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Eric M. Johnson, from Shanghai’s Jean George; RSVP at 6601-6666.
Note: To get a wine event listed, send event info, preferably in text format, to beijingboyce@yahoo.com. If you intend to attend any of the above events, it is best to confirm with the venue ahead of time.
Permalink
05.22.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:40 am by admin
Note: I have about 30 posts just or nearly finished in the queue, so expect a slew of posts about the Robert Parker visit, recent tastings, developments in China’s wine scene and more over the new few weeks - JB.
Upcoming Beijing wine-related events
Thursday, May 22, 7 PM, Summer Palace (China World), RMB2008
“Road to Beijing” wine dinner and charity auction, 8 Chinese food-French wine pairings; auction of sports art and memorabilia (part of proceeds to Care for Children); RSVP at 6505-5838.
Thursday, May 22, 7 PM, Sheraton Great Wall Hotel (21F), RMB588
Grace Vineyard wine dinner, with Grace President Judy Leissner; by Torres China, RSVP with Sophie at sophie@torres.com.cn.
Thursday, May 22, 7-10 PM, Cafe Europa, RMB180
“Four continents” tasting, with NZ, US, French wines, and finger foods; RSVP Joseph Kiang at Cafe Europa @5869 5663 / 13910-097-621.
Thursday, May 22, 6:30 PM, Le Little Saigon, RMB70
Loire Valley wine tasting, with 7 wines and buffet; RSVP with Raphael at 13520-795-172 or raphael@bylweb.com.
Friday, May 23, 7 PM, Aria (China World Hotel), RMB1288
Guigal wine dinner, with 7 wines and wine makers Philippe and Marcel Guigal; RSVP with Danny at Aria (6505-2266, x36 / danny.kane@shangri-la.com) or Helen at ASC (6587-3803 / homedelivery@asc-wines.com).
Friday, May 23, 7-9 PM, Cellar Le Pinot, RMB50
“Wine & Lady” tasting party, with four wines; RSVP at 8515-1715 / zhoumeixing@lepinot.com
Saturday, May 24, Great Wall of China, RMB15888
Robert Parker wine dinner, by ASC; food by Blu Lobster; 8 wines rated 94+ by Parker; RSVP with Adam Steinberg at adamsteinberg@asc-wines.com.
Tuesday, May 28, 7 PM, Blu Lobster, RMB988
Alain Chabanon wine dinner, with winery owner Alain Chabanon, by East Meets West; RSVP with Blu Lobster (8882-6727) or EMW (6445-5797).
Friday, May 30, 7-8:30 PM, Bento & Berries (Kerry Centre Hotel), free
Deutz Champagne tasting, by Top Cellar; RSVP with Cedric at marketing@topcellar.com.cn / 13439-467-514.
Tuesday, June 3, 4-8 PM, 1949: The Hidden City, RMB150
Global wine extravaganza, with leaders from 20 wineries - Joseph Phelps, Seghesio, Trimbach, Meerlust , Santa Rita, etc; by ASC; RSVP with Helen at helenlu@asc-wines.com.
Saturday, June 14, 3-6 PM, Ritz-Carlton Financial Street, RMB120
The Culinary Coin Festival, with free-flow Champagne / wine, coffee, chocolate, and more.
Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Greenfish (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Volker Drkosch, 1-star Michelin chef; RSVP at 6601-6666.
Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Cepe (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Claudio Sadlerm, Michelin star chef; RSVP at 6601-6666.
Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Qi (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Eric M. Johnson, from Shanghai’s Jean George; RSVP at 6601-6666.
Note: To get a wine event listed, send event info, preferably in text format, to beijingboyce@yahoo.com. If you intend to attend any of the above events, it is best to confirm with the venue ahead of time.
Permalink
05.15.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:36 pm by admin
Upcoming Beijing wine-related events
Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM, Bookworm, RMB180
Australian wine tasting, 6 wines from 3 regions, by The Wine Republic; RSVP at 5869-7050 / events@thewinerepublic.com. (Note: RMB100 of each fee will go to the Red Cross for earthquake relief efforts in Sichuan.)
Friday, May 16, 7-8:30 PM, Bento & Berries (Kerry Centre Hotel), free
Henry Bourgeois wine tasting, by Top Cellar; RSVP with Cedric at marketing@topcellar.com.cn / 13439-467-514.
Friday, May 16, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Cafe (Sanlitun), RMB 100
Languedoc tasting, with 5 red wines; RSVP with Frank at 13701-178-073.
Thursday, May 22, 7 PM, Summer Palace (China World), RMB2008
“Road to Beijing” wine dinner and charity auction, 8 Chinese food-French wine pairings; auction of sports art and memorabilia (part of proceeds to Care for Children); RSVP at 6505-5838.
Thursday, May 22, 7 PM, Sheraton Great Wall Hotel (21F), RMB588
Grace Vineyard wine dinner, with Grace President Judy Leissner; by Torres China, RSVP with Sophie at sophie@torres.com.cn.
Thursday, May 22, 7-10 PM, Cafe Europa, RMB180
“Four continents” tasting, with NZ, US, French wines, and finger foods; RSVP Joseph Kiang at Cafe Europa @5869 5663 / 13910-097-621.
Thursday, May 22, 6:30 PM, Le Little Saigon, RMB70
Loire Valley wine tasting, with 7 wines and buffet; RSVP with Raphael at 13520-795-172 or raphael@bylweb.com.
Friday, May 23, 7 PM, Aria (China World Hotel), RMB1288
Guigal wine dinner, with 7 wines and wine makers Philippe and Marcel Guigal; RSVP with Danny at Aria (6505-2266, x36 / danny.kane@shangri-la.com) or Helen at ASC (6587-3803 / homedelivery@asc-wines.com).
Friday, May 23, 7-9 PM, Cellar Le Pinot, RMB50
“Wine & Lady” tasting party, with four wines; RSVP at 8515-1715 / zhoumeixing@lepinot.com
Saturday, May 24, Great Wall of China, RMB15888
Robert Parker wine dinner, by ASC; food by Blu Lobster; 8 wines rated 94+ by Parker; RSVP with Adam Steinberg at adamsteinberg@asc-wines.com.
Tuesday, May 28, 7 PM, Blu Lobster, RMB988
Alain Chabanon wine dinner, with winery owner Alain Chabanon, by East Meets West; RSVP with Blu Lobster (8882-6727) or EMW (6445-5797).
Friday, May 30, 7-8:30 PM, Bento & Berries (Kerry Centre Hotel), free
Deutz Champagne tasting, by Top Cellar; RSVP with Cedric at marketing@topcellar.com.cn / 13439-467-514.
Tuesday, June 3, 4-8 PM, 1949: The Hidden City, RMB150
Global wine extravaganza, with leaders from 20 wineries - Joseph Phelps, Seghesio, Trimbach, Meerlust , Santa Rita, etc; by ASC; RSVP with Helen at helenlu@asc-wines.com.
Saturday, June 14, 3-6 PM, Ritz-Carlton Financial Street, RMB120
The Culinary Coin Festival, with free-flow Champagne / wine, coffee, chocolate, and more.
Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Greenfish (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Volker Drkosch, 1-star Michelin chef; RSVP at 6601-6666.
Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Cepe (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Claudio Sadlerm, Michelin star chef; RSVP at 6601-6666.
Saturday, June 14, 7-10 PM, Qi (Ritz-Carlton Financial Street), RMB2008
Dinner with Eric M. Johnson, from Shanghai’s Jean George; RSVP at 6601-6666.
Note: To get a wine event listed, send event info, preferably in text format, to beijingboyce@yahoo.com. If you intend to attend any of the above events, it is best to confirm with the venue ahead of time.
Permalink
04.03.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:32 pm by admin
By Jim Boyce
Alberto Fernandez has been running the China operations of Torres since the year 2000. I interviewed him about his take on China’s wine scene, Torres’ relationship with local winery Grace Vineyard, the preferences of Chinese consumers, the rapid growth of wine importers and imports, and more.
Torres China General Manager Alberto Fernandez
How did you get involved in the wine industry and with Torres China?
I started working with wine 11 years ago in Australia.
I went there on a working holiday visa and interned with a fine wine distributor in Sydney. I learned a lot, from offloading 20-foot wine containers (it builds muscles!) to handling iconic wine journalists and professionals in Australia.
After two years, I felt my time “Down Under” was over and new challenges awaited me in the “Old World.” My bet was right and a few months later I joined the export department of Torres winery in Spain. In May 2000, Torres sent me to Shanghai to be in charge of the company’s China operations, and I am still here. We have grown over the years from four employees to 120. I consider myself highly specialized in the Chinese wine industry since I have spent eight out of my 11 years in it.
Torres China has offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. How do the three cities compare? Are there plans to open offices and sell wines in other Chinese cities?
We are opening a Shenzhen office in May and have “missionaries” spread about the country who work closely with our agents.
Shanghai is the largest and most sophisticated market in China, with boutique and expensive wines being popular. Things are changing in Beijing, with the Olympics approaching, but historically it has been a good market for inexpensive wines. Lastly, the primary cities in south China are a bit “traditional” in preferring wines by region, such as Bordeaux, but there is an eagerness to develop a wine culture that matches the region’s longstanding gastronomic traditions.
If we were to open another office in mainland China, it would be in a city where we could become pioneers in professional wine distribution. I reckon there are still some 20 good locations for that!
Where are the biggest markets for your wines? What kind of taste preferences do you see among Chinese consumers?
We specialize in famous family-owned wineries and now have 34 brands. Those appeal more to the on-trade channel, such as hotels and restaurants. Another important channel is “direct sales” - goods delivered to the consumer’s door - including orders made online.
I see Chinese tastes developing in line with those in other emerging markets in Asia. China is still a “red country” when it comes to imported wine, and people go for conventional labels and regions, again, such as Bordeaux. Wines that are sweeter tend to sell to beginners, but step by step consumers are also opening up to drier wines and to wines from newer producing regions. At the market’s high end, consumers are really going for iconic brands, and money seems not to be a problem.
What really worries me is the quality of locally produced wine, which accounts for most wine consumed in China. With the current trend on increasing production in the local wine-making industry, a trend that has been referred to as “70 percent ingredients, 30 percent technique,” millions of customers are far from having access to good wine. There are exceptions, such as Grace Vineyard, which we distribute.
I increasing see Grace Vineyard wines in bars, restaurants and hotels. How did Torres’ relationship with Grace come about?
This is my personal contribution to the Chinese wine industry. I was able to put this Chinese wine jewel into the Shanghai and Beijing markets over five years ago. The story goes like this: one day in September 2002, I received a call from my good friend Xavier Tondusson (who I hope soon recovers from his recent injury). Xavier works with Bacchus Wines and told me he was at Brasserie Flo in Beijing and drinking an exceptional local red wine made by a French winemaker. The wine was from a new wine region - Shanxi province.
As wine makers, we at Torres have long had a big interest in local wine production, and even planted an experimental vineyard in Hebei in 1997, though it did not produce grapes of sufficient quality. Since I never trust the origins of Chinese-branded wines, I decided to visit Grace Vineyard in Shanxi the following weekend.
I could not believe what I had found - an undiscovered treasure, the China dream for making fine wines. Grace’s winemaker, Gerard Colin, received me with a big hug and briefed me on the Grace Vineyard project, which had come to fruition with the assistance of famous Bordeaux Professor Boubals, who was [Torres President] Miguel Torres’ professor some 20 years ago! After, I met with the Chan family - which owns the winery - and since then we have enjoyed working to promote Grace’s wines, considered China’s finest by many people in the international wine media.
The passion for excellence in the vineyard is what has made Grace Vineyard wines different and distinctive from the rest in China. Genuine wines. Genuine aspirations.
Imported wine is pouring into the market and the number of importers is quickly growing. How do you think this situation will play out?
Competition is coming! Competition is healthy! I think we are heading toward a much more dynamic market where the big players will remain alongside a surge of many new companies bringing in interesting wines. How many wine lists are still identically boring in the major cities!? Both trade and consumers will be pleased to enjoy a range of wines unheard of before in China.
In terms of marketing, wine brands will be king, rather than the names of distributors. Most of our competitors spend most of their marketing budgets promoting their own company’s name in China, sometimes to the absurd point that their name is actually more important than the brands they carry.
Other than that, channels will expand and operate vertically, that is distribution will be controlled directly by those who produce or import the wine, all the way to the consumer. White wine sales will grow, wine clubs will go mainstream, joint-venture wine production in China will soar, wineries like Great Wall will need to reinvent themselves, and hopefully quality will be more important!
If you could pick one white and one red from the Torres portfolio for dinner, which would you choose?
Fransola Sauvignon Blanc and - from our new project from Ribera del Duero - Celeste.
Permalink
04.01.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:11 am by admin
Note: I just received this information from guest contributor P.A. Make sure to check out his comment at the bottom of this post.
By Joyce Bim
Top Chinese winery Great Wall today announced it will acquire Australian wine label Penfolds. Southcorp, the label’s owner, confirmed the deal is all but done, but refused to release details of the price.
Great Wall’s business development director, A.P. Fu, told reporters the company was excited about growing its presence in foreign markets. “Given its extensive range of wines, long tradition, and superb marketing strategies, Penfolds is a great fit with our business model,” he said.
Great Wall, in an effort to emulate the success of Penfolds, will market its labels side-by-side with those of the legendary winery.
“We will market Grange Shiraz alongside our new wine, Great South Wall Shiraz,” said Fu. “In terms of Penfold’s popular ‘Bin’ series, such as Bin 407, Bin 389, and so on, we will create a ‘Ping’ series.”
Fu said longer-term plans include exporting Australian grapes to China for blending with Chinese juice. “We plan to have labels that show the close cooperation between our two peace-loving nations,” said Fu, who added that one idea is a label showing a panda and a koala hugging.
This move has not caught other Chinese wine-makers flatfooted, as there are already reports that Dynasty is in the final stages of buying Robert Mondavi wines in the United States, while other Chinese companies have been taking their checkbooks to France. One conglomerate has been talking about using part of China’s massive foreign reserves to buy the entire Bordeaux region.
And, in case you have not already guessed, this…
entire…
article…
is…
an…
April fool’s joke!
(Happy April Fool’s Day)
Permalink
03.20.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:11 pm by admin
A reader recently contacted Grape Wall about working in China. Here are the details:
An Australia-based wine maker is planning to move to China and is looking to work in the local wine industry. He is open to opportunities that range from consulting on the late-harvest period to working in distribution, and has interest in creating a label specific to the China market.
He is based in Yarra Valley. He has worked in France (Burgundy), Italy (Piedmonte), and Australia (McLaren Vale / Clare Valley) and has a degree in oenology from Adelaide University.
To contact him, e-mail: dfletcher@sticks.com.au
Permalink
03.17.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:40 pm by admin
By Jim Boyce
Wine importer and distributor The Wine Republic held its soft launch at Café Europa in Beijing last Wednesday. The company is a partnership between Rathbone Wine Group (Australia) and Campbell Thompson, a former marketing director at ASC Fine Wines and a contributor to Grape Wall of China. Its initial goal is to import cool-climate Australian and French wines, with a focus on temperature-controlled shipping and storage.
Guests tried four wines from Mount Langi Ghiran winery in the southern hills of Australia’s Great Dividing Range:
Riesling 2004
Billi Billi Shiraz 2003
Cliff Edge Shiraz 2001
Langi Cabernet-Merlot 2000
If you have trouble picking out varietals, then the Riesling is for you, with its full-on petrol aromas. Drinkers will likely find this to be a love-it-or-hate-it wine. Both the Billi Billi Shiraz and Cliff Edge Shiraz had black plum and a hint of pepper on the nose, the latter having a better mouth feel and more fruit. The Cabernet Merlot offers black cherry on a nose that suggests a heavier body than is found in the glass. The Wine Republic plans to soon officially launch with its full range of wines.
Permalink
03.12.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:06 am by admin
A reader recently contacted Grape Wall about working in China. Here are the details:
Portugal-based wine professional seeks position with a wine importer and/or distributor in Macao or Hong Kong. Has five-year degree from ISA (Portugal) in viticulture and wine-making. Since June has been working as an assistant wine maker in a major Portuguese wine company. Has harvest experience in Chile, USA, New Zealand and Portugal, and is involved in wine tasting courses, wine promotions and wine tours at current place of employment.
Interested parties should send an email to joaodovale@gmail.com.
Permalink
03.11.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:06 pm by admin
By Jim Boyce
Upcoming Beijing tastings
March 12, 7 PM, Cafe Europa, RMB150
Mount Langi Ghiran tasting, by The Wine Republic; four wines with “tasting plates”; RSVP with Joseph Kiang at Cafe Europa (5869-5663).
March 13, 7 PM, L’isola, RMB898
Pio Cesare wine dinner, by Torres, with fourth-generation proprietor Pio Boffa; RSVP with Sophie at 5165-5519, x208 / sophie@torres.com.cn.
March 14, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Café (Sanlitun), RMB150
Pinot Noir blind tasting, with appetizers; RSVP with Frank at frank.siegel@gmail.com.
March 15, Blu Lobster, RMB1788
Chateau Cos d’Estournel dinner, by ASC, with Cos d’Estournel CEO Jean Guillaume Prats; RSVP by calling Blu Lobster at 6841-2211, x6728.
March 20, 7 PM, Grill Restaurant (Radisson SAS), RMB588
Kendall-Jackson wine dinner, by ASC, with Jackson Asia-Pacific Regional Director Jack Cook; RSVP by contacting Helen Lu (ASC) at 6418-1598, x226, or Daisy Wang (Radisson) at 5922-3152.
March 26, 6:30 PM, Aria (China World), RMB1200
Riedel wine tasting dinner, by ASC, with company CEO Maximilian Riedel; 4 wines; participants take home 4 Riedel glasses; RSVP by contacting Helen Lu (ASC) at 6418-1598, x226.
Note: To get an wine event listed, send the event information, preferably in text format, to beijingboyce@yahoo.com.
Upcoming China trade shows
Shanghai China International Wine Exposition, 10 AM-5 PM, March 14-16, Shanghai Mart*
Wine Culture China, March 16 -18, China World Trade Center* (does anyone know anything about last year’s show? I hear this event is focused more on olive oil than on wine)
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2008, 9:30 AM-6:30 PM, May 27-29, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center
* A hat tip to Ricardo D for sending me these links.
Permalink
03.06.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:57 pm by admin
In addition to the list of wine events I posted earlier this week, here are two more:
March 7, 6-8 PM, Atrium Bar (Great Wall Sheraton), free
Lindemans wine tasting, including reserve range, with Jebsen
March 8, 6 PM, La Baie des Anges
New wine list event, with more than 50 wines; RSVP in advance and receive a 15 percent discount on bottles (6657-1605
Here is the original list of upcoming tastings;
Upcoming Beijing tastings
March 6, 7 PM, Brasserie Flo (Rainbow Plaza), RMB498
Gerard Bertrand wine dinner, by East Meets West; six wines; 30 seats available; To RSVP, contact Felix (Brasserie Flo) at 13161-338-874 or Wendy (EMW) at 6445-5797.
March 7, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Café (Sanlitun), ~RMB100
Weekly tasting; join the e-vite list by contacting Frank at frank.siegel@gmail.com
March 8, 6 PM, Nearby the Tree, RMB150
Women winemakers, by Beijing Wine Club; 5 wines with light canapes; contact: Gabe at info@beijingwineclub.com
March 12, 7 PM, Cafe Europa, RMB150
Mount Langi Ghiran tasting, by The Wine Republic; four wines with “tasting plates”
March 15, Blu Lobster, RMB1788
Chateau Cos d’Estournel Grand Cru Classe dinner, by ASC, with Cos d’Estournel CEO Jean Guillaume Prats; RSVP by calling Blu Lobster at 6841-2211, x6728
March 20, 7 PM, Grill Restaurant (Radisson SAS), RMB588
Kendall-Jackson wine dinner, by ASC, with Jackson Asia-Pacific Regional Director Jack Cook; RSVP by contacting Helen Lu (ASC) at 6418-1598, x226, or Daisy Wang (Radisson) at 5922-3152
March 26, 6:30 PM, Aria (China World), RMB1200
Riedel wine tasting dinner, by ASC, with company CEO Maximilian Riedel; 4 wines; participants take home 4 Riedel glasses; RSVP by contacting Helen Lu (ASC) at 6418-1598, x226
Note: To get an wine event listed, send the event information, preferably in text format, to beijingboyce@yahoo.com.
Upcoming China trade shows
Shanghai China International Wine Exposition, 10 AM-5 PM, March 14-16, Shanghai Mart*
Wine Culture China, March 16 -18, China World Trade Center*
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2008, 9:30 AM-6:30 PM, May 27-29, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center
* A hat tip to Ricardo D for sending me these links.
Permalink
03.04.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:26 pm by admin
By Jim Boyce
Wet your whistle at these upcoming wine events and shows…
Upcoming Beijing tastings
March 6, 7 PM, Brasserie Flo (Rainbow Plaza), RMB498
Gerard Bertrand wine dinner, by East Meets West; six wines; 30 seats available; To RSVP, contact Felix (Brasserie Flo) at 13161-338-874 or Wendy (EMW) at 6445-5797.
March 7, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Café (Sanlitun), ~RMB100
Weekly tasting; join the e-vite list by contacting Frank at frank.siegel@gmail.com
March 8, 6 PM, Nearby the Tree, RMB150
Women winemakers, by Beijing Wine Club; 5 wines with light canapes; contact: Gabe at info@beijingwineclub.com
March 12, 7 PM, Cafe Europa, RMB150
Mount Langi Ghiran tasting, by The Wine Republic; four wines with “tasting plates”
March 15, Blu Lobster, RMB1788
Chateau Cos d’Estournel Grand Cru Classe dinner, by ASC, with Cos d’Estournel CEO Jean Guillaume Prats; RSVP by calling Blu Lobster at 6841-2211, x6728
March 20, 7 PM, Grill Restaurant (Radisson SAS), RMB588
Kendall-Jackson wine dinner, by ASC, with Jackson Asia-Pacific Regional Director Jack Cook; RSVP by contacting Helen Lu (ASC) at 6418-1598, x226, or Daisy Wang (Radisson) at 5922-3152
March 26, 6:30 PM, Aria (China World), RMB1200
Riedel wine tasting dinner, by ASC, with company CEO Maximilian Riedel; 4 wines; participants take home 4 Riedel glasses; RSVP by contacting Helen Lu (ASC) at 6418-1598, x226
Note: To get an wine event listed, send the event information, preferably in text format, to beijingboyce@yahoo.com.
Upcoming China trade shows
Shanghai China International Wine Exposition, 10 AM-5 PM, March 14-16, Shanghai Mart*
Wine Culture China, March 16 -18, China World Trade Center*
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2008, 9:30 AM-6:30 PM, May 27-29, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center
* A hat tip to Ricardo D for sending me these links.
Permalink
02.29.08
Posted in Peter Wright, Uncategorized at 1:51 pm by admin
- By Peter Wright
As a big wine drinker, it is pleasing to see an increasing number of Shanghai bars, restaurants, retailers and wholesalers hold wine tastings and wine promos or offer value-for-money wines by the glass. Winopete’s Shanghai picks for value are:
1. Sasha’s (corner of Hengshan and Dongping Roads, in the French Concession area) holds a wine buffet every Friday, when it’s an all-you-can drink deal from a selection of about a dozen wines from 5.30 p.m. - 9 p.m. for just RMB148. A lot of the wines are drinkable lower-end labels, with one or two nasty Nelly’s, but most weeks there are a few roses among the thorns to keep the pickier plonkheads happy (e.g. Pedroncelli 2002 Merlot, Jim Barry 2004 Shiraz and a great Chateau Monteils Sauterne for ’sticky’ fans).
2. Enoteca Wine Lounge (53-57 Anfu Road) and Enoteca 2 (58 Taicang Road, near Xintiandi) stock about 70 wines and champagnes. Many of the wines are imported directly from France, Argentina and Chile. Bottles of vino start from RMB83 / bottle, with better ones from around RMB150. The food is also very decent, with sandwiches, salads, tapas and cheese platters all featured on the menu. Enoteca opened just less than a year ago and their success has led them to open a new store near Xintiandi (official opening of Enoteca 2 to be held on 28th February). A wine buff’s paradise! Check their website at http://www.enoteca.com.cn .
3. More than 30 wines are available by the glass at Otto Cafe (85 Fumin Rd). Highest-quality vacuum technology is used to keep the wine fresh for 2-3 weeks. Wines by the glass are available in different sized pours: 50 ml from RMB28, 100 ml from RMB48 and 150 ml from RMB68. For bottles, reds start from RMB258 (Jean Leon Tempranillo), with whites starting from RMB228 (Torres Vina Sol). For details, please see their website at www.otto-cafe.com. Go at lunchtime and you can enjoy a cheap, very acceptable meal at around RMB100.
4. American Steak and Eggs (99-3 Xikang Road, behind the Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel) has a very decent Argentine wine, Signos Shiraz 2005, on special at a paltry RMB15 a glass or RMB65 a bottle! (Don’t be cheap, get a bottle!) The wine is fresh and there’s no fine print to bite you in the balls. They also have a drinkable Signos Chardonnay Chenin Blanc 2006 at the same price. For other wines by the bottle, they have another 10 reds and five whites (some French, Chilean, Australian and Italian), all priced at RMB135, which is still an excellent price for Shanghai. From the wine list, Winopete’s picks are the Peter Lehmann Weighbridge Chardonnay or Shiraz, or the Redbank ‘Long Paddock’ Chardonnay or Shiraz.
As to numbers 5 and 6, I’d tentatively pick Villa Venue near Hongqiao airport and Vino Villa in Jinqiao. I have not yet been to either of them, but have heard good reports so far. Villa Venue is a new establishment that doubles as an art gallery. As for Vino Villa, on the Pudong side of Shanghai, it has a very mixed clientele of both locals and expats, with many good value wines available, according to an oenologist friend who lives out that way. Will hike out there soon.
I wish I could produce a list of 10 good value wine drinking spots in Shanghai, but I can’t. Maybe you Beijingers have it better? Let me know!
Permalink
02.18.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:39 pm by admin
Good times for taste buds continue in Beijing.
Australian wine-focused GELIPU and South African-wine focused Winelink will team up on Saturday, February 23, to present 100 ’boutique’ wines from, you guessed it, Australia and South Africa. The tasting starts at 6 PM at Tim’s Texas Roadhouse on Super Bar Street. The entry fee: RMB 100.
This is the most recent portfolio tasting offered at a low price, following on those by Torres in November and Palette in December and earlier this month.
Intriguingly, the invite says, “In the future, don’t buy from the retailer, don’t buy from the wholesaler, don’t even buy from the importer, it’s the exporter that you need to talk to!”
For more information, contact Garry at tongue.honey@gmail.com.
Permalink
02.15.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:35 pm by admin
- By John Isacs
For his first blog entry, Taiwan-based wine educator and consultant John Isacs provides some predictions for the year ahead in Taiwan and a review of adventures in the outgoing Year of the Pig.
As I sit in my office on the first day of the Year of the Rat, a few thoughts on what is happening as we enter the Year of the Rat as well as some wine-related highlights from the Year of the Pig come to mind. In terms of the Taiwan market, a few predictions for the coming year:
- Overall wine sales will be flat until after the presidential elections when there will be slow growth, though high-end wine sales still continue to be very strong.
- US wines will miss out on weak-dollar opportunity due to lack of promotion and market strategy, while Chilean and Argentinian wines will gain market share because of price advantage and more agressive promotion
- The French wine market share continues to drop, while Italian wine market share grows, especially in terms of Pinot Grigio
- Tokaji will become the new darling of wine connoisseurs
- Sherry will become popular (OK, this one is personal, as I am interested in this area!)
In terms of the year past, it started with Madrid Fusion 2007, a food and wine congress and exhibition. I participated in the wine tract as the representative of Taiwan. We must have tasted about 500 different wines over a period of three days. The combination of jet lag and palate overload somewhat compromised my ability to fully appreciate every wine but it was educational and fun. My overall impression of Spanish wines:
- Cava has a long way to go
- The best reds are great
- Most of the whites are merely pleasant, save for the sensation Albarino
- Sherries rank among the world’s greatest wines
Speaking of Sherry, I took a quick trip to Jerez to present on the Taiwan and China markets to producers there and meet the CEO of the Jerez-Xeres-Sherry DO, Cesar Saldana. The trip’s highlight was enjoying a range of tapas and Sherries with Cesar and Paul, marketing director of Gonzalaz Byass, on the streets of Jerez. The proper way to do this is to stop at a tapas bar, have one dish and one Sherry, then move on to the next bar. Big fun.
The Year of the Pig also saw me doing a Taiwan road show for a Chinese bank. The events were for the VIPs. The bank gave them an hour presentation on investment strategies and then I introduced, in Mandarin, “The Art of Wine Appreciation“. Though I enjoy doing TV and radio programs, live performances are the most exciting. Each show for the bank had about 200 attendees to whom I introduced an Italian Chianti Classico, a Rioja Reseva and a New World wine. My recipe for a successful event: keep it lively and fun, and make sure the wines are good.
Meeting wine producers and makers is another benefit of my trade. Among the highlights last year was dining with Wolf Blass, who is is a blast, fooling around with my buddy Francesco Ricasoli, the 32nd Baron Ricasoli and a fun and nice guy, the larger-than-life Hungarian wine producer and expert, Csaba Gergly, and meeting and tasting with numerous other wine celebrities who stopped by Taiwan.
My trip to Scotland was also memorable. Grant & Sons sent me to learn more about Whisky so that we develop a formula along the lines of our successful wine dinners and events. The short trip was great fun. Visiting the Glenfiddich distillery in the morning and tasting Whisky directly from the barrel, then going out to shoot skeet was a highlight. Only in Scotland would they mix the two in that sequence.
They’re not Famous Grousse, but skeet will do.
Permalink
« Previous entries