More than 1,000 Exhibitors from Around the World Taking Part Fair Opens to the Public on Saturday
5 November 2015 – The eighth HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair has returned to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), and continues through 7 November. This morning’s opening ceremony was officiated by John Tsang, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government.
Mr Tsang used the occasion to announce the expansion of a unique customs clearance arrangement between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, which facilitates immediate clearance by Mainland Customs of consignments from “Registered Wine Importers” in Hong Kong. The arrangement is now extended to cover all customs districts in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), noted that 1,060 exhibitors from 32 countries and regions around the world have converged at this year’s event, including first time exhibitors from Ireland and Kazakhstan. She said the fair, organised by the HKTDC, is an effective global platform for exhibitors to promote their products.
Partner Country: Portugal
Portugal is the official Partner Country of this year’s International Wine and Spirits Fair. The Wines of Portugal pavilion has gathered more than 40 exhibitors. Among over 500 Portuguese wines on show are those from the Asia Pacific arm of Sogrape Vinhos, the winner of the “2015 Best Wine Producer Worldwide” award from the World Association of Writers and Journalists of Wines and Spirits.
Visitors are also being introduced to the charms of Portuguese wine with seminars on the nation’s winemaking traditions, as well as a presentation by Portuguese wine critic and journalist João Paulo Martins of his new book “The Pleasure of Port – The Inside Story of a Unique Fortified Wine.” A Gala Wine Dinner this evening will also feature a meal prepared by Portuguese Chef Martinho Moniz.
World of flavours
New exhibitors from Ireland and Kazakhstan will bring new tastes and opportunities to the fair. They join established producers such as France and Italy, which have a strong presence of more than 370 exhibitors in group pavilions. Sopexa from France, Vinitaly from Italy, the Italian Trade Commission and the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade, who are all long-time supporters of the event, continue to set up regional pavilions at the fair. Among the 32 group pavilions at the fair, six will participate for the first time; Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, Department of Commerce of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Department of Commerce of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, Southern Italy Pavilion, Hokkaido Sake Council and ProMexico.
The HKTDC organised about 70 buyer missions from more than 25 countries and regions around the world. Vinovino, a major wine importer in South Korea, Veraison Wines and Fisher Fine Wines Pty Ltd, two leading distributors of Portuguese wines in Australia, and Wine Trade Asia Pte Ltd from Singapore have joined the fair.
A Whisky and Spirits Zone returns to the fair with beverages such as the award-winning Glenbrynth from Scotland as well as unique whisky brands including the triple-distilled Auchentoshan and the limited production Caol Ila. Sake from Japan, tequila from Mexico and a maple syrup-infused brandy from Canada are also available, and visitors can sample brands and try new mixes in the nearby Whisky and Brandy Bar and Ice Bar.
A dedicated Beer Zone will debut at the Wine and Spirits Fair this year, showcasing unique craft beer from France, Lithuania and other countries.
Market mastery
As a key event of the fair, the Wine Industry Conference opens today featuring international journalists and columnists’ analysis on market trends, while other aspects of the industry are to be explored at a seminar on the growing Chinese wine market, master classes and guided tours by leading wine educators.
Adding to the excitement of the fair are competitions including the 7th Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition Award Presentation Ceremony and “Wine.Luxe” x “Hong Kong Wine Journey” Top 10 Food & Wine Pairing Restaurant Award 2015 being held today. This will be followed by tomorrow’s 3rd A.S.I. Contest of The Best Sommelier of Asia-Oceania Hong Kong-China 2015.
Exhibitors will also have a chance to test consumer preferences on the fair’s final day when doors will open to all visitors aged 18 or above. Public tickets costing HK$200 allow access to some master classes, demonstrations and tastings at the fair.
Flourishing wine trade
The fair gets underway as growth in the wine trade accelerates in Hong Kong. More than HK$3.3 billion worth of wine was exported by the city in the first nine months of 2015, a 101.3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, while imports for the same period also rose to HK$7.5 billion, a 22.3 per cent increase year-on-year.
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Joe Kainz
Tel: (852) 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
