trophy winners |
Simon Tam, director of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC said, “The Asian consumer wine market is a valuable segment of the international wine industry, growing at more than seven times the rate of any other region. So it’s about time the millions of Asian wine lovers had an authoritative guide to the best wines, suited to their unique taste and consumption patterns. “By selecting the top palates in Asia we wanted to ensure the judging panel was representative of this diverse region, making the results truly ‘Asia’s Choice, Asia’s Voice’. “Because of our pan-Asian panel of judges, there were some surprises among the results. Contrary to popular belief in the international wine industry that Asia is a sponge for hugely concentrated wines, the panel awarded the majority of medals and trophies to those wines displaying subtlety and delicate structure.” Debra Meiburg MW, director of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC, said “Out of the four Chinese food and wine pairing categories, it was interesting to note that three trophies were awarded to white wines and rosés. Despite many wine lovers in Asia reaching for a bottle of red to pair with Chinese cuisine or not drinking wine at all, our results highlight that these styles are particularly compatible with a range of classic Chinese dishes. “Significantly, the trophy winning wines in the Chinese food and wine pairing awards, particularly the Sea Prince Trophy for the Best Wine with Braised Abalone awarded to the Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé, show that pairing the perfect wine with fine food doesn’t have to be expensive. “We hope these awards will give people the tools and confidence to order wine when eating Chinese food.” Eden Springs, a smaller producer of premium wines in Australia proved to be a stand out of the show, bagging four trophies (Best White Wine in Hong Kong below HK$150, Best Red Wine in Hong Kong below HK$200, Best Shiraz and Best Australian Shiraz). Ray Gatt, owner of Eden Spring said, “The results were a fantastic surprise to us. We are confident we produce world class wines and already are receiving increased interest from buyers from across Asia. “Recognition in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition gives us great credibility in the Asian market. With the Asian judging panel selecting our wines as the very best for the Asian palate in their respective categories, it gives us confidence that our wines are perfect for the market and should give wine lovers in the region confidence when choosing Eden Springs wine.” The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC is run in conjunction with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair, which sees thousands of members of the wine trade visit the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre between 4 and 6 November. The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC is supported by Cathay Pacific, South China Morning Post, The Upper House, Riedel, Crown Wine Cellars and Sea Prince Lonimar Australia. For more information or interview requests, please contact: Media Enquires: Alex Webster at alex.webster@asiasbestwinesandspirits.com
Simon Tam was born in Hong Kong and raised in Australia. Proud of his East-West heritage, he is a passionate advocate in the judicious marriage of Asian food with wine. With a career spanning more than 18 years in the Greater China wine industry, he is widely considered Greater China’s industry expert. Simon is a columnist and contributing editors to 23 publications and websites. In 2007 Simon was voted “The Best Wine Consultant in Hong Kong” by 500 members of the wine trade. He has been educating the Asian wine and hospitality industry for a decade and a half. Simon is the founding director of Independent Wine Centre in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Macao. Debra Meiburg MW Originally from Sonoma County, Debra Meiburg MW is a long-time resident of Hong Kong and has worked harvest in Chile, pruned vines in Bordeaux and was a cellar-hand in South Africa and New York. She is a Qualified Wine Judge and Qualified Wine Educator and annually judges wine shows on four continents. Debra was recently awarded the Master of Wine title, which is the highest accolade in the wine profession, with only 253 Masters of Wine worldwide and, until recently, none in Asia. Debra writes weekly wine column in the South China Morning Post and is a contributing editor to the Asian Tatler Magazines. In 2007 she was voted “Most Influential Wine Journalist in Hong Kong” by 500 members of the wine trade. Allen Gibbons Allen Gibbons is the Managing Director of Nexus Media Events a UK based company that runs events around the world. He has over 20 years experience in sales and marketing roles across the fast-moving-consumer-goods (FMCG) sector including over 10 in the drinks industry where he worked across Europe, Africa, the US and the Pacific. Allen is also Executive Director of the International Wine and Spirit Competition, the UKs oldest and most prestigious wine and spirit competition. Prior to joining the IWSC Allen worked at Diageo for eight years where he held a number of senior innovation and marketing roles and where he was responsible for some of the most high profile product launches of recent years as well as being deeply involved in people development. Allen is a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers. About the HKTDC Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 offices worldwide, including 11 in the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, visit: www.hktdc.com |