One of the major attractions of Vinexpo Asia-Pacific, from its first Hong Kong show in 1998, has been an expanding programme of tutored tastings, seminars, master classes and special presentations conducted by high-level wine and spirits industry professionals.
'This forum for the exchanging of ideas, discussion and tasting is of paramount interest for all those who want to see new products or enhance their knowledge,' observes Robert Beynat, chief executive of Vinexpo Asia-Pacific. 'Exhibitors and national and regional promotional organisations will be the prime attendees of events here.'
The Vinexpo Academy, as this year's programme has been dubbed, comprises more than 40 events from today until Thursday, 10 more than at the last Hong Kong event in 2008.
Wine tastings will cover Burgundy and Bordeaux Grand Crus, other French wines, German and Alsace Pinot Noirs and Rieslings, wines from Spain and Argentina, Venetian grape varietals and Spumante.
Seminars will offer insights on topics ranging from consumption of wine on the mainland to Hong Kong's booming wine auction market, and new developments in tracing the source of fine wine through the supply chain.
Visitors can even acquire a 'qualification' by attending three master classes using a Certificate Programme Pass, priced at HK$1,000. The Academy's sessions are restricted to wine and spirits professionals who are registered for the exhibition.