Thunder roared and lightning flashed to mark the launch of Dom Perignon's latest vintage, at the Island Shangri-La hotel.
Hong Kong's champagne lovers gathered at the Petrus restaurant to watch the spectacular indoor light and sound show that symbolised the weather conditions preceding the grape harvest in France for Dom Perignon Vintage 96.
The crowd gasped as the candle-lit corridor from the Harbour Room to Petrus gave way to the sound of rain and a booming thunderstorm. There was also an indoor sunrise. Not only did the celebration continue until dawn, it created merrily flushed faces as guests sampled the vintage.
Wine columnist and critic Robert Parker awarded the vintage 98 points out of 100 - the highest rating ever given to a champagne. 'I have had a lot of vintages from Dom Perignon, but I do not remember any as impressive as the 1996,' he said.
Dom Perignon's winemaker, Benoit Gouez - who had flown in from France for the party - outlined the rigours of champagne production.
Guests included Angela Ho, fourth wife of casino magnate Stanley Ho Hung-sun, Jockey Club chairman Ronald Arculli, charity queen Ming Ho, Dr Cornel Li Fook-kwan and Tisa Li, Didier Li Kwok-wai and wedding planner Michelle Li, Cecillina Glaser, trainer Tony Cruz and his wife Pauline, Kenny and Patricia Gaw, Louis Ng, Louisa Cheng, Magdalena Lee and Eunis Wong.