Wine tasting: Winebeast in Central offers wines from obscure regions and organic producers

Winebeast offers an interesting concept. The new retail shop in Wan Chai has an in-house sommelier, Vincent Feron, whose past experience includes being sommelier at the Four Seasons Georges V in Paris and a wine educator for the hospitality trade. The shop stocks a diverse range of wines from more obscure regions and organic producers.

Most of the bottles are in the HK$200 to HK$500 price range. Feron says that customers want to be educated and be surprised by new wines, but adds there is a cultural difference between wine drinking here and in France. "In France people drink more often and want cheaper wines. In Hong Kong, wine is seen as exceptional, and drunk more for special occasions." With his sommelier training, he considers food pairing to be a priority. "Pairing with the wrong food will kill even the best wine."

He's happy to recommend wines which work well with most Asian dishes. He loves champagne for its versatility, saying it is a perfect aperitif, but will pair well with seafood, and even curries. White wines are still underrated in Hong Kong. Feron thinks that we should try chenin blanc from the Loire Valley, which can vary from austere to sweet pudding wines. Another overlooked variety is viognier from Condrieu in the Rhône Valley.

For red wine lovers, Feron is passionate about the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France. With its warmer climate, this region is France's version of the New World.

Sancerre whites made from sauvignon blanc are one of the Loire Valley's best known wines. For a change, try chenin blanc from the same area, which offers great value for money. Hints of stones, lanolin, honey and some smokiness. Medium body, with crisp acidity and a steely structure. A long finish. A food wine which will not overwhelm more subtle seafood dishes. The crisp underlying acidity will stand up to spicy Thai or Sichuan dishes. HK$315

Wines from St Joseph in the Rhône Valley are good for everyday drinking. Black fruit, spicy notes of black pepper and some earthiness. Full body, well balanced with firm underlying tannins. Long finish. An elegant wine which shows purity of fruit. It is drinking well and will keep for another decade. HK$290