Well that was that then. Time for the beach and a mojito… 2009 Bordeaux En Primeur is done. It’s already interesting to read the views of merchants, critics, negociants and pretty much anyone with an opinion, on what has taken place over the last few months. So what the heck, this is my two bob’s worth from what I have witnessed in Hong Kong.

(more…)

As I sit back here in shanghai looking out over a drizzly, muggy, polluted skyline I find it hard to believe that only a few weeks ago my girlfriend and I were ciao-ing our way through the outrageously scenic Tuscan and Umbrian countryside. Blue sky, fresh air and even fresher pasta seem like another life away.

My girlfriend being into food in a big way and me, eager to gain a better grasp of Italian wine, Tuscany seemed like the obvious choice for a two week epicurean and oenological fix – a few weeks and kilos later I’m glad to report that we were definitely not disappointed.

(more…)

Well, it was a whistle-stop week of walking, talking and I can’t lie…  a lot of lunches and dinners! There is no doubt that the show came to town last week and there was buzz in the air. Although I’m not entirely sure on the numbers I do know that there were 750 exhibitors, and the rumour is that more people attended the event on the first morning than the whole of the previous Vinexpo, in fact, apart from the last few hours on Thursday, the HK Exhibition Centre was packed to the rafters. I’ll have to be honest, although there were a healthy amount of exhibitors from around the globe, France (and Bordeaux in particular) was where the main interest and concentration was.

(more…)

Over the weekend I met one of the most impressive collectors I’ve come across in China thus far – an absolute legend called Mr Zhang (with me in the picture, left). Mr Zhang is a perfect illustration of the levels of sophistication that some Chinese consumers are already reaching and perhaps provides a hint of where the market might be heading.

(more…)

Thanks to mother nature I took a rather scenic route to Bordeaux this year; and after a rather romantic overnight ferry from Portsmouth St Malo and a six-hour drive down to Bordeaux (thanks to THAT volcano) with my colleague from the UK, Philip, it was my turn to taste the much hyped 2009s. Alas, I was the only HK representative in Bordeaux, with my colleagues being stuck back at home. Incredibly my colleague from Japan, Julian Stevens did turn up (two days late), after a marathon trip involving planes, trains (one of which caught fire!) and I think a carthorse as well!  After all the effort it did, however, turn out to be a glorious week and the wines were easy to taste so young, with freshness and sweetness of tannin.  Unfortunately the lowlight of the week was getting stuck in a public toilet… when the lights went out, the door locked. I tried to remain calm but suddenly water started gushing from the floor…  it was like a scene out of Nightmare on Elm Street! Three minutes later I staggered my way out, and this once dapper young home-counties boy was soaked, stunned and will never be the same again. NEVER use the public toilet at L’Elerc in Le Pian in Médoc.

(more…)

Last Thursday saw the official Hong Kong launch of Berrys’ Fine Wine Reserve (left) and the new Home of Alfred Dunhill in Prince’s Building, Central. The event was quite a spectacle: architectural projections covered the exterior walls; specially commissioned sculptures peered out from various nooks and crannies, and screaming fans waited outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the stellar guest list.

(more…)

Well , with all the focus on Bordeaux and the headlines that will be emanating from there this week , I thought it might surprise you that my mind has been elsewhere over recent weeks.  Now I love the wines of Bordeaux but I would always put Burgundy as my first love; however it is not these fragile and fragrant beauties that have been occupying my thoughts over recent weeks either.  Nope, it’s the grandeur and cerebral intensity of the king of Italian varietals, Nebbiolo, and the wines of Piedmont (above) that have caused me to gaze out of the office surveying Hong Kong harbour, reminiscing over the dramatic aromatics and power that these wines can offer.

(more…)

We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Alfred Dunhill at the new Hong Kong Home of Alfred Dunhill in Prince’s Building. Berrys has created a Fine Wine Reserve providing, we anticipate, exemplary levels of service and fine wine expertise alongside dunhill’s signatory attention to detail, all in the heart of Central. The Home will also feature a new destination restaurant and Bar, Alfie’s by KEE, serving a menu of honest British fare and an inimitable wine list compiled in consultation with Berrys.

(more…)

Right, before I start recounting the details of an epic 10 vintage Pontet-Canet Dinner last night, I thought it best to update you on my progress; as I’ve now been here for over a month and would consider myself a local (in fact I have my first visitor next week!), I’ve found myself a little cubby hole to live in, in a very trendy (so I am told) area called Sheung Wan (think the Notting Hill of HK). It’s close enough to the action that I can wander home in the evening, but far enough away that I can enjoy some peace and quiet! I have had Now TV installed so I can catch up on the Footie action back home till my heart is content (though still struggling on finding the darts!!!), a sad life I know!

(more…)

Last week Jean-Guillaume Prats of Ch. Cos d’Estournel (pictured left with myself and my colleague, Jenny Wee) paid us a flying visit to host a private dinner at the fantastic new restaurant in Wan Chai, Amuse Bouche . I was pretty excited for most of the day, as I am rather partial to a bottle or two of Cos. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it is one of my favourite wines from Bordeaux. And to add to the excitement, Jean-Guillaume was bringing with him cask samples of the much-hyped 2009 vintage… To say that there was an air of anticipation in the office would be something of an understatement! Not to mention the small matter of the main wines at dinner… the ultra-rare 2006 Blanc as well as the 2002, 2000, 1995 and 1985 vintages of the Grand Vin.

(more…)

After two crazy weeks getting used to Hong Kong life, my colleagues Geordie and James thought it might be time to get me out of downtown HK and into the countryside for some fresh air. It may come as a surprise to those of you who picture Hong Kong as a thriving metropolis to find out that the island is amazingly green and unspoilt. In actual fact, less than 25% of the territory’s landmass is developed, and about 40% of the remaining land area is reserved as stunning country parks and nature reserves. We were heading off to Lantau Island, about 25 minutes away by ferry, for a “gentle” hike.

(more…)

While Jasper was in town last week we managed to grab a few minutes with him to talk about his thoughts on the ‘08 Burgundy en primeur campaign in Asia:

After a fantastic few days with Jasper in town, Nick Pegna, Managing Director of BB&R HK (and my boss!), gives his thoughts on the events that took place.

“We have just dispatched Jasper Morris MW, our Burgundy Buyer, back to his home in the Côtes of Burgundy, having completed our second Burgundy Week in Hong Kong. The week, which consists of master classes, interviews, dinners and tastings included the first tasting in Hong Kong of the 2008 Burgundies en primeur (and perhaps the first Burgundy primeurs tastings in Asia – left) as well as a thoughtful and thoroughly enjoyable look at the 1996 vintage of Domaine de la Romanee Conti, at a dinner organised in conjunction with American Express for 15 people last Friday night.

(more…)

Leading up to the big move last Friday the one thing I promised myself was to immerse myself in the culture and experience what Hong Kong is all about! I’d been a few times before and friends and customers in the UK had given me graphic details of the crazy lifestyle that I was about to get myself into. Given my tendency to get myself into a pickle my mum was a little apprehensive (even though I managed to look after myself in Melbourne for three years!), and had packed me a medical bag larger than my main suitcase! Yep, there is now doubt that Hong Kong is a daunting place to the unsuspecting…fast paced and passionate… it gobbles you up, throws you around and then spits you out (a good thing!)

(more…)

In Wine Matters’ next installment on Wine Investment, Nicholas Pegna, Managing Director of Berrys’ in Hong Kong, talks about the growing fine wine market in Asia, what customers need to consider when investing, and as the current and emerging trends.

If you have any questions or comments for Nick or our team, then let us know.