HONGKONG wine lovers have been taking much more interest in what the United States, Australia and New Zealand have to offer in recent years but old habits die hard.
The majority of wine consumed in Hongkong still comes from France.
Finding the right wine at the right price is another matter. According to Annette Pocklington, the general manager of Kedington Wines, the most economical way to buy wines is direct from the importer, which will usually involve a minimum order of one case.
Although an improved selection of wines is now available through the Wellcome and Park 'n Shop chains, options remain limited in comparison, for example, with the choice now offered by equivalent stores in Britain.
By far the best retail lists are those offered by Oliver's, particularly in its Prince's Building store, and by Pacific Wine Cellars in the basement of Seibu at Pacific Place.
Oliver's prices tend to be on the high side, but the store does offer the assurance that the wines have been properly stored, which, if you're going to invest the sort of sums involved in the buying a bottle of 1986 Chateau Petrus or a Chateau d'Yquem, is important.
