HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS FAIR RETURNS

Thousands of wine lovers and professionals gathered for the internationally renowned event.

ON THE FIRST weekend of November 2023, more than

500 exhibitors from 17 countries gathered at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for the long-awaited return of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.

More than 7,000 wine and spirits professionals from 49 countries and regions attended the fair, which had been on hiatus in full size since 2020 (a smaller event was held in January, before international travel had returned to normalcy). The fair drew keen buyers from emerging markets including Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia. Throughout the weekend, they gathered on the magnificent Victoria Harbour to meet makers of old and new world wines, including wines from Mainland China, plus whiskies, sakes and beers.

The annual event is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Exhibitors came from countries and regions far and wide, including Argentina, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong and Mainland China, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Philippines, Slovenia and the United States. Australian attendees this year included Premium Wine Negociants, Gilbert

Family Wines, Hither & Yon, Haselgrove Wines, First Growth Wines, Horizon International plus Halliday Wine Companion.

On November 3 and 4, trade visitors attended conferences and forums. A session on EcoVino: Sustainability Trends and Solutions was popular, as were sessions for industry professionals on decoding wine trends in the restaurant industry. Chinese Master Sommelier Yang LU spoke at a wine industry conference themed ‘Uncorking Opportunities: Mapping the China & Asian Wine Markets’. At ‘Australian Wine Showcase: Sip & Savor’, wine lovers could taste the best of Australian wines. Ms Shannon Powell, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Hong Kong and Macau, joined to support the Australian wineries.

The fair was open to the public on Sunday, November 5, with over 9,000 attendees taking the day to discover new brands. Some highlights included cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay from the Helean Mountain wine region in Ningxia, chenin blanc from Savennières and primitivo from Puglia. Multiple tasting sessions and masterclasses were held, including a ‘Sip Around the World with CC’ session hosted by renowned wine critic Cecilia Wong.

The next fair is tentatively scheduled for 7 to 9 November, 2024.

Australian wineries interested in participating should mark their diaries and can keep up to date at

hktdc.com/event/hkwinefair