Uncorked
On Wednesday evening, a black-tie-clad crowd of 500 wine lovers and industry professionals gathered at the Trade Development Council's gala awards ceremony for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Now in its third year, the wine competition retained its position as Asia's largest, as 30 judges from 18 cities in the region convened to smell, sip and spit more than 1,700 vintages.
The judges, who must be both Asian-born and Asian-based (with the exception of myself and one VIP international guest judge), came from the mainland, Taiwan, Macau, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Thailand to join those already in Hong Kong. In support of the council's partnership with Italy, the VIP guest judge was Alberto Antonini, of the famous winemaking family. Each entry was tested blind by a panel of five judges. There were six panels in total. Top medal winners were judged by the panel chairs to determine which one received a trophy for 'best in class'.
A popular feature of the competition is the food and wine matching categories. A number of Michelin-starred chefs joined the panels on the final day to ascertain the finest wine matches for Peking duck, braised abalone, kung pao chicken, dim sum and sashimi.
Some highlights of the competition included first-time entries from Britain, Macedonia, Tunisia and Uruguay as well as a whopping 43 entries from Georgia.
Best Argentinian red wine; Synthesis Malbec 2008, Finca Sophenia
Best Australian shiraz; Deep Woods Block 7 Shiraz 2009, Fogarty Wine Group
Best cabernet/cabernet blend; Katnook Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Australia
Best carmenere and blends; Mayu Carmenere Syrah Reserva 2009, Vina Mayu, Chile
Best chardonnay; Petaluma Chardonnay 2009, Petaluma Wines, Australia
Best Italian red; Brancaia Il Blu IGT 2008, Italy
Best merlot; Willunga Creek Black Duck Merlot 2006, Australia
Best New World bordeaux style; Isosceles 2008, Justin Vineyards & Winery, California, the United States
Best New Zealand sauvignon blanc; Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Best New World chardonnay; Petaluma Chardonnay 2009, Australia
Best New World pinot noir; Framingham Pinot Noir 2009, New Zealand
Best New World riesling; Rockburn Central Otago Riesling 2009, New Zealand
Best other reds; Kindzmarauli Marani Saperavi Barrel Select 2006, Georgia
Best other whites; Laurenz V Friendly Gruner Veltliner 2010, Austria
Best pinot noir; Framingham Pinot Noir 2009, New Zealand
Best riesling; Rockburn Central Otago Riesling 2009, New Zealand
Best South African red wine; Man Vintners Tormentoso Bush Vine Pinotage 2010
Best sauvignon blanc; Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011, New Zealand
Best shiraz/syrah; Deep Woods Block 7 Shiraz 2009, Fogarty Wine Group, Australia
Best tempranillo and tempranillo blends; Ysios Reserva 2006, Domecq Wines, Spain
Best touriga nacional and touriga blends; Quinta Da Pedra Alta Touriga Nacional 2007, Portugal
Best sparkling wine; Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Champagne NV, France
Best sweet white; Alana, Tokaji Asz? Eszencia 2006, Hungary
Best wine from Japan; Chateau Mercian Ensemble Moegi 2009
Best wine with bubbles (below HK$400); Flor del Montgo Cava Brut 2009, Spain
Best white wine in Hong Kong (below HK$150); Flat Rock Riesling 2009, Flat Rock Cellars, Canada
Best red wine in Hong Kong (below HK$200); Five Oaks Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, New Zealand
Best wine with sashimi; Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot 2011, Australia
Best wine with kung pao chicken; Jean-Baptiste Adam Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Kaefferkopf 2009, Alsace, France
Best wine with Peking duck; Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2009, New Zealand
Best wine with Cantonese dim sum; Paxton Thomas Block Chardonnay 2009, Australia
Best wine with braised abalone; Escargot Barbera 2002, Pegeric Wines, Australia
