Cold temperatures aren't always bad news for wineries. This year's unusually cool summer in California, at a time of global warming, might have helped contribute to distinctly cool vintage wines.

'We are in the midst of [producing] a very interesting vintage right now, because the weather is cooler than usual,' said Eric Pope, the Wine Institute of California's regional director for emerging markets. Pope was in town on Monday for a charity wine-tasting event at Central's Watermark restaurant. More than 200 guests turned up for the event to taste produces from 44 Californian wineries.

Hosting the tasting for a second time this year, Pope added the Community Chest as a beneficiary as well as the Children's Surgical Centre, an NGO that provides surgical rehab services to disabled children in countries such as Cambodia. 'We are happy to contribute to a cause through our wineries to help those in need. Hong Kong is definitely a regional wine hub and the competition is crazy now. I'm glad the event also raises awareness among consumers and puts Californian wine on the map.'