Exciting opportunities: Auctions, Wine Fairs and Festivals in Hong Kong
Wine Auctions
Flooded by enthusiastic buyers from around the world particularly Asia, wine auctions have flourished, with record-breaking sales in several occasions. In 2010, Hong Kong became the largest wine auction center in the world. The total wine auction sales in Hong Kong reached US$229 million in 2011.
Wine Fairs
In Hong Kong, wine fairs are organized to promote the trade. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council organized its fourth Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair in November 2011 with much success and increased patronage.
The show was staged at the world famous Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. It featured 930 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions. It attracted close to 19,000 trade buyers, representing a 37% increase over 2010. Most significant increase was from Italy (+86%), Mainland China (+82%), France (+59%), Taiwan (+43%), the United States (+31%) and Australia (+18%). The final day of the show was also open to members of the public: more than 19,690 wine lovers came through the doors – a 38% increase over 2010.
According to an on-site survey carried out at the Fair, exhibitors and trade visitors were more optimistic about demand for wine in China and Asia than in other parts of the world. Hong Kong is ideally placed to benefit from this focus. In a short four years, the fair has become the largest international wine event in Asia, playing an important role in establishing Hong Kong as the region's wine trading hub.
“This is a nice show and the response has been better than expected. We have secured contacts with many potential customers, especially Chinese mainland buyers. This exhibition is a step forward for our expansion into Asian markets such as Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Thailand.” Mr. Don Lee, Associate, CA 88 Wines, Inc., United States
(2009)
"This is the only wine show the Australian government supports. We take this opportunity to promote our country and our 64 regions of wine productions featuring many and varied styles. It is great to see the growing interest in wine here. This show is very impressive and our pavilion is full of visitors. We have also seen a lot of media reports and publicity about the exhibition," said Phil Ingram, Senior Trade Commissioner and Deputy Consul-General (Commercial), Australian Trade Commission, Australia. (2010)
Mr. Juan Estonell from Argentina visits Wine and Spirits Fair for the first time in 2011, to look for his country's wine, and has set aside almost US $100 million for the purchasing purposes.
The upcoming Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair will be held from
Nov 8 to 10, 2012.
For details, please visit
Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair
Click here to watch a video on Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair
Wine Festivals
Another successful event that attracted participants from wine making countries all around the world was the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival. The Festival has quickly established itself as one of the world’s premier epicurean festivals. Hong Kong Tourism Board launched its first Wine & Dine Festival in November 2009. Held outdoors on the West Kowloon waterfront (against the breathtaking backdrop of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong’s iconic skyline), it featured over 280 booths as well as wines from 19 different countries and regions.
In 2011, the 3rd annual Wine & Dine Festival was a spectacular success and generated attendance of 170,000 wine enthusiasts, a 55% increase versus 2010 attendance of 110,000. The festival was followed by November's Food & Wine month in Hong Kong, which offered an incredible array of epicurean events and savings throughout the city. And wine continues to be an important aspect of Hong Kong's appeal and natural complement to the superb Cantonese cuisine.
The festival backdrop set a new standard for food and wine festivals. Only Hong Kong can claim such a majestic setting of harbor, mountains and skyscrapers, truly making it the world’s leading “Urban Wine Territory”.
As one of most celebrated culinary capitals, Hong Kong is a natural festival site, offering a wide variety of cuisines that embrace with artful ease the great Eastern and Western influences.
This event has become a unique opportunity to showcase wines to a wider public audience and forge new business opportunities and alliances in the Asian region.
Stay tuned for the 4th "Wine & Dine" Festival, which will be held on the West Kowloon Promenade from Nov 1 - 4, 2012.
** Photo Credits - Hong Kong Trade Development Council
