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GLITZ, GLAM & GRAPES:


Glitz, Glam & Grapes: 53 Trophies Presented at Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition at Gala Awards Ceremony in Hong Kong
10 November, 2016: (Hong Kong) From hills to heels and boots to bow ties, the international wine and spirits community glammed up in Hong Kong tonight for a dazzling awards ceremony, where 53 trophies were presented to the best international wine and spirits for the highly-coveted Asian market, as judged by Asia’s most highly respected judges in the 2016 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (HKIWSC).
 
Hosted by Founding Directors of the HKIWSC Debra Meiburg, Master of Wine, and Allen Gibbons, CEO of IWSC Group, the awards ceremony drew a full-house of media, local wine and spirits importers, invited guests, and country dignitaries, all eager to catch the news on the year’s hottest wines and spirits for Asia. Australia led the charge with the biggest trophy haul of 10, followed by New Zealand with six. Australia also received the most medals, with a whopping 489 medals in both the wine and spirits categories. Three countries that significantly bettered their previous performances included Portugal, who went from 9th place to 5th place on the medal tally with 109 medals. Austria quadrupled its previous year’s medal bag
with 29 in total, and Germany also more than doubled its medals from 2015. Wine entries hailed from 31 countries around the world, and in the spirits categories, 27 countries were
represented.
 
Significant among the results, new world wines made almost a clean sweep of the Best Grape Variety trophies, with just Spain (Best Tempranillo - Protos Reserva 2011) and Georgia (Best Indigenous Grape Variety - Badagoni Alaverdi Tradition Rkatsiteli 2014) claiming victory for the Old World. Particularly successful was Australian Vintage Limited, headed by famed  Australian winemaker Neil McGuigan, who dominated the white wine category, taking out Best Riesling (McGuigan Shortlist Riesling 2008), Best Chardonnay (Nepenthe Ithaca Chardonnay 2015) and Best Semillon (McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon 2007) trophies, with the McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon 2007 also scoring Best Wine from Australia. This differed greatly from the Asian Food & Wine Pairing trophy winners, announced last month, where international diversity was key. The 12 Asian Food & Wine Pairing trophies, covering five different Asian cuisines were awarded to wines from nine different countries.
 
Always highly anticipated are the Best Wines at Key Price Point categories. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council 2016 Best Red Wine in Hong Kong Below HK$200 was awarded to Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013, while Best White Wine in Hong Kong Below HK$150 was won by Ribbonwood Sauvignon Blanc 2015. Best Sparkling Wine Below HK$400 was awarded to Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV, with Champagne Piper-Heidsieck also taking out the trophy for Crown Wine Cellars Best Sparkling Wine with the Champagne Charles Heidseick Blanc des Millénaires 1995.
 
Allen Gibbons said, “Particularly of interest in 2016 were the spirits winners – with spirits a growing trend in Asia. The competition was especially stiff for gin this year with this category attracting 41% more entries.
 
“We were delighted to award the Best Gin trophy to Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin. Having garnered significant international attention, Four Pillars is a deserving winner and I am sure its explosive Navy Strength will go from strength to strength in Asia with this trophy under its belt”
 
The overall 2016 competition saw an 11 percent rise in entry numbers, as well as several new country entrants, including wines from Brazil, England, Israel, Mexico, Slovenia,  Switzerland and Vietnam, and spirits from Barbados, Georgia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Philippines and the Republic of Ireland on the roster.
 
Wine entries from Portugal increased 144%, while entries from Germany were up 400% and wines from Georgia grew 1400%, showing the diversity now demanded by Asia’s increasingly mature wine consumption market. France, India and South Africa also saw significant growth. 
 
Debra Meiburg MW said, “The Competition continues to attract the attention of the international wine community and local importers. More and more, people are recognizing the intricacies and differences in the taste and consumption preferences of the Asian community from other major markets where wine competitions are traditionally based.
“Trophies and medals offer major credibility in this market, and we are so pleased to see a fresh batch of winners this year and wish them the very best in reaching the increasingly passionate wine, loving community in Hong Kong, China and across Asia.”
 
Meet the HKIWSC team and judges at booth 3C-B23, where a selection of winning wines will be displayed throughout the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, from 10-12 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
 
Plus, there will be a special tasting of the top award-winners, hosted by Debra Meiburg MW and Allen Gibbons: Taste the Best Wines & Spirits in Asia, Awarded by the Cathay Pacific HKIWSC, Friday 11 November, 5:30pm – 6:30pm at Wine Tasting Room A, Hall 3C.
 
Full results are as follows, and are available at www.hkiwsc.com .
 
 
TrophiesWine NameProducer/CompanyCountry
WINE VARIETIAL TROPHIES
2016 Best RieslingMcGuigan Shortlist Riesling 2008Australian Vintage LtdAustralia
2016 Best ChardonnayNepenthe Ithaca Chardonnay 2015Australian Vintage LtdAustralia
2016 Best SemillonMcGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon 2007Australian Vintage LtdAustralia
2016 Best Syrah/ShirazTaylors Wines The Pioneer Shiraz 2013Taylors WinesAustralia
2016 Best Cabernet/Cabernet BlendsViña Luis Felipe Edwards Doña Bernarda 2012Viña Luis Felipe EdwardsChile
2016 Best Indigenous Grape VarietyBadagoni Alaverdi Tradition Rkatsiteli 2014LLC BADAGONIGeorgia
2016 Best New World Pinot NoirSuper Nanny Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015Endeavour Vineyards (NZ) LtdNew Zealand
2016 Best Sauvignon BlancRibbonwood Sauvignon Blanc 2015Sogrape Asia Pacfic LimitedNew Zealand
2016 Best TempranilloProtos Reserva 2011Bodegas ProtosSpain
REGIONAL WINE TROPHIES
2016 Best Wine from ArgentinaFinca Las Moras Paz Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2015Grupo PeñaflorArgentina
2016 Best Wine from AustraliaMcGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon 2007Australian Vintage LtdAustralia
2016 Best Wine from ChileViña Falernia Titon Single Vineyard Syrah 2013Viña Falernia S.AChile
2016 Best Wine from ChinaSilver Heights Vineyard The Summit 2014Silver Heights VineyardChina
2016 Best Wine from FranceChâteau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2013Royal Orchid Wine HK LimitedFrance
2016 Best Wine from Eastern EuropeShumi Iberiuli Kvervri Kisi 2015Wine Company Shumi LtdGeorgia
2016 Best Wine from GermanyAsia de Cuba 2015Hiestand Weingut & HofbrennereiGermany
2016 Best Wine from ItalyBaglio Gibellina Assurdo Rosso IGT Terre Siciliane 2013Baglio Gibellina SrlItaly
2016 Best Wine from JapanChateau Mercian Nagano Chardonnay Unwooded 2015Château MercianJapan
2016 Best Wine from New ZealandSuper Nanny Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015Endeavour Vineyards (NZ) LtdNew Zealand
2016 Best Wine from PortugalDFJ Vinhos Scancio Reserva White 2015DFJ VinhosPortugal
2016 Best Wine from South AfricaAsara Vineyard Collection Chenin Blanc 2015Asara Wine Estate & Hotel (Pty) LtdSouth Africa
2016 Best Rioja2016 Best RiojaBodegas Principe de VianaSpain
2016 Best Wine from SpainProtos Reserva 2011Bodegas ProtosSpain
BEST STYLE CATEGORIES
2016 Best Fortified WineDe Bortoli Black NobleDe Bortoli WinesAustralia
2016 Best Dessert WineLenz Moser Prestige Trockenbeerenauslese 2015Weinkellerei Lenz Moser AgAustria
2016 Best SakeSakurasakura Junmai Daiginjo 2015Tanizakura-shuzo Co., Ltd.Japan
BEST WINE AT KEY PRICE POINT
2016 Best Sparkling Wine Below HK$400Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NVChampagne Piper-HeidsieckFrance
2016 Best White Wine in Hong Kong Below HK$150Ribbonwood Sauvignon Blanc 2015Sogrape Asia Pacfic LimitedNew Zealand
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council 2016 Best Red Wine in Hong Kong Below HK$200Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2013Cakebread CellarsUSA
ASIAN FOOD & WINE PAIRING TROPHIES
2016 Best Wine with Wagyu Beef TeppanyakiEden Hall “Springton” Shiraz 2015Hallman Pty LtdAustralia
2016 Best Wine with Cantonese Braised BrisketBird in Hand Nest Egg Shiraz 2013Bird in Hand WineryAustralia
2016 Best Wine with Crystal King Prawn with Parma HamDomäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten 2015Domäne WachauAustria
2016 Best Wine with Singapore Chilli CrabAsia de Cuba 2015Hiestand Weingut & HofbrennereiGermany
Best Wine with Mushroom & Pea MasalaFIOL Prosecco DOC3GP s.r.l.Italy
2016 Best Wine with SashimiTamanohikari Junmai Ginjo Shukon 2015TAMANOHIKARI Sake Brewing Co., LtdJapan
2016 Best Wine with Kai Hoi Bai Toei (Fried Chicken in Pandan Leaf)Marisco Vineyards The Kings Bastard Chardonnay 2015Marisco Vineyards LtdNew Zealand
EAST, Hong Kong 2016 Best Wine with Honey Glazed Char SiuYealands Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015Yealands Estate WinesNew Zealand
Best Wine with Grilled UnagiEncosta da Vila Porão Velho Tinto 2014CVR LisboaPortugal
2016 Best Wine with Smoked Pigeon with Oolong Tea LeavesMulderbosch Faithful Hound Red 2014Mulderbosch Vineyards PTY LTDSouth Africa
Best Wine with Murg Makhani (Butter Chicken)Val du Charron Black Countess 2013Kwong Tai Hong Sealand Products Co LtdSouth Africa
2016 Best Wine with Tod Man Pla (Curried Fish Cakes with Sweet Chilli Sauce)Monsoon Valley Blended Rosé 2014Siam Winery Co., LtdThailand
BEST SPIRITS
2016 Best GinFour Pillars Navy Strength GinFour Pillars DistilleryAustralia
2016 Best Grape BrandySt Agnes XO Imperial 20 Year OldAngove Family WinemakersAustralia
2016 Best RumMount Gay XO Reserve Cask RumRemy CointreauBarbados
2016 Best CognacGautier VSOP CognacCognac Gautier SAFrance
2016 Best LiqueurTamanohikari Yuzu Shu 2015TAMANOHIKARI Sake Brewing Co., LtdJapan
2016 Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky - 15 Years and UnderThe Glenrothes Vintage Reserve 12 Year OldEdrington Hong Kong LtdScotland
2016 Best Blended Scotch WhiskyBallantine's 30 Year OldRichmond Towers CommunicationsScotland
2016 Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Over 15 YearsJura 21 Year Old Single Malt WhiskyWhyte an Mackay LtdScotland
2016 Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky - No Age StatedFettercairn FiorWhyte an Mackay LtdScotland

 

About the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition

Now celebrating its eighth year, Cathay Pacific HKIWSC remains the original and most well-respected wine and spirit competition in Asia. Founded by Allen Gibbons from the IWSC Group, Debra Meiburg MW and Simon Tam, the competition is regarded as the Asian guide to the world’s finest wine and spirits. With its panel of Asian judges, the Cathay Pacific HKIWSC ensures that, not only are the best wines selected from all across the globe, but that they are suited to Asian taste preferences too.

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