BETWEEN 2008 AND 2012, TOTAL IMPORTS OF WINE GREW 182% IN HONG KONG, FOR A VALUE OF 1 BILLION DOLLARS. ITALY WILL BE WITH VINITALY INTERNATIONAL AT THE INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS FAIR FROM NOVEMBER 7TH TO 9TH

Hong Kong is one of the most mature markets in Asia: the value of imported wines from around the world in the most "Western" of the special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China has grown 182% from 2008 - the year in which they removed taxes on imported wines - to 2012, when it reached the 1 billion dollar mark.
Hong Kong is one of the less complicated gateways into China for the wine world, as well as being a showcase for Western life style, for which all of Asia shows great interest. So, the International Wine & Spirits Fair, sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade & Development Center, taking place November 7th to 9th, is still one of the most important fairs in the Asian wine world. Italy will be well represented, thanks to Vinitaly International, with over 130 Italian wineries showing their wares in the "Vinitaly Hong Kong" Pavilion in an event that counted more than 20.000 specialized trade representatives in 2012.
The main objective is business, but another important point, which Vinitaly has invested in for some time is professional training, crucial to an Asian market that is often little more than a neophyte regarding Italian wine. Among the events scheduled there are master classes conducted by some of the most influential personalities in the Asian wine world: the Master of Wine Debra Meiburg and the wine educators Carrie Wong and JC Viens, with emphasis on some of the most in vogue Italian wines and areas, from Prosecco to Chianti Classico, Puglia and Piedmont. And Vinitaly Lounge will give yet another touch of Italian atmosphere with its area dedicated to meetings with journalists, wine lovers, bloggers and importers of major agribusiness brands such as Negroni, Fabbri, Agriform and Lavazza that will offer their contribution of tasting cheeses, meats, coffee and ice cream.
And following the success of the "Vinitaly Wine Affair Tram Ride" 2012, the prelude to the opening of this year’s fair, there will be a gala dinner in one of the best Italian restaurants in Hong Kong: Domani, where the best wines from the "Gin Gallery" winery, one of the oldest importers in Hong Kong, will be served to 150 invited guests gathered to celebrate women and the excellence of Italian wine.
Info: www.vinitalyinternational.com