Today marked the first in the 3-day long Restaurant & Bar 2010 show at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Its a trade-only show but it was still fairly well packed this morning with people in the F&B industries soaking up the very best food and drink available in Hong Kong.

Of course we were in the wine section which we were happy to see seemed to be the biggest single area in the whole exhibition with many importers and distributors showing off their wares. And with the ongoing Wine Theatre offering lectures by Hong Kong’s wine experts, its a great place to spend any time you can without it being too snooty or too packed.

Here’s a few snapshots from the floor:

One of the neat things we saw was the Microsoft Surface table being used to identify and promote different types of beer. On the bottom of the bottle there was a chip that the surface of the table could read and then a screen would pop out in Minority Report style and tell you more about the beer. Very cool stuff!

This Surface table allows you to send notes to other Surface tables in the same bar, its like a Facebook poke but almost live:

Related posts:

1. Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2010 Opens Today in Hong Kong The world’s wine industry uncorks today in Hong Kong. After...
2. Hong Kong to Host International Wine Exhibition Vinexpo 2010 [ May 25, 2010 to May 27, 2010. ] Get...
3. Restaurant & Bar Fine Dinning Trade Exhibition [ September 7, 2010; ] Visit the 'Wine Tasting Theater'...

Here is a treat: Debra Meiburg MW is giving Hong Kong wine lovers a 1-hour talk on how to develop your tongue to recognize wine quality, acidity, sweetness, tannis and alcohol as part of this week’s Restaurant & Bar 2010 expo at the HKCEC.

Sign up here and we’ll see you tomorrow.

Related posts:

1. Master of Wine Debra Meiburg’s “Meet the Winemaker” Video Series Candid new wine video series launched online. Hong Kong’s very...
2. Chef Josechu Corella To Introduce “Flavours From Spain” in Hong Kong [ June 24, 2010; ] Experience flavours from Spain this...
3. Wine Pairing With Shanghainese Food Damon Yuen matches wine with Northern Chinese cuisine. Shanghainese...

As you will have heard from Butterboom, Restaurant & Bar Exhibition has prepared a line-up of wine related talks for those in the wine industry and, while we’ll be covering some of the highlight topics over the 3 day event, below are highlights of some of sessions for those wishing to attend.

Day 1: 7th September

• 12:30   Philosophy of a modern winemaker: Adding value beyond the bottle

Edward McDougall (Wine Maker, The 8th Estate Winery, Director/Winemaker UMANMI Wines of Australia) ENG

• 13:45     En Premieur System

Philippe Laqueche (Managing Director, Yvon Mau, Freixenet Group) ENG

• 15:00   Wine and Sauce Pairing

Creash Wong (Beverage Manager/Chief Sommelier at Royal Garden Hotel) CANTONESE

• 16:15   The Most Popular Red Grape Varieties in the World

Peter Kwong, (Chief Star Sommelier, Talent State Asia Ltd) CANTONESE

• 17:30    An introduction and tasting of Japanese Sake from one of the oldest breweries in Japan-  Yoshinogawa

Richard Paine (Managing Director of Fine Vintage) and Hiroyuki Onozawa (Export Marketing

Manager of Yoshinogawa) JAPANESE & ENGLISH

For the full wine-related program from September 7-9, please visit the Restaurant & Bar website.

Related posts:

1. Restaurant & Bar Fine Dinning Trade Exhibition [ September 7, 2010; ] Visit the 'Wine Tasting Theater'...
2. Hong Kong to Host International Wine Exhibition Vinexpo 2010 [ May 25, 2010 to May 27, 2010. ] Get...
3. Choosing Wine at a Restaurant with Pierre Legrandois Tips on choosing wine and making an impression at a...

Rockford Winery from Barossa Valley, Australia, has a reputation for producing traditional and stylistic wine. Their highly acclaimed Grange Killer, Backet Press Shiraz, is one of only 11 wines awarded the rating of ‘exceptional’ in Langton’s Classification of Australian wines.

If you love Australian Shiraz, this is one dinner you won’t want to miss. Summergate Wines‘ Rockford wine dinner will be held at Opus Grill on September 8th including a 5 course menu designed by Executive Chef, Edward Yu, pairing Semolina crisped ‘Rougie’ foie gras and Australian Wagyu beef with Rockford’s best wines.

Mr. David Kalleske, General Manager of Rockford will be showcasing the wines of Rockford with 2 vintages of the rare Basket Press Shiraz.

Menu and wine pairing

Aperitif

2008 Rockford Alicante Bouchet

The Brutus Salad

White Anchovies, Burrata & Garlic Croutons

2006 Rockford Eden Valley Riesling

&

2004 Local Grower’s Semilion

Pan Fried ‘Rougie’ Duck Breast

French Mash & Cherry, Red Wine Jus

2004 Moppa Springs GSM

Semolina Crisped ‘Rougie’ Foie Gras

Candied Pears, Curry Crunchies

2005 Rod & Spur Shiraz Cabernet

David Blackmore’s 100% Full Blood M9+ Australian Wagyu

Served with Roast Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes

2001 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz

2005 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz

Brandy Raisin Semi-Freddo

Pine Nut Nougatine, Salted Butter Crust, Toffee Sauce

Rockford PS Marion Tawny

How much?

HK$1000 + 10% service charge

Details

• Date: September 9, 2010
• Time: 7pm
• Venue: Opus Grill, 7/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong.
• For reservation, please call Opus Grill at 2526 2366 or email info@opusgrill.com

Related posts:

1. Spy Valley and Peregrine Wine Dinner at the Opus Grill [ August 13, 2010; ] Wine dinner on August,13, 2010....
2. Kaesler Old Bastard Wine Dinner [ May 25, 2010; ] Amuse Bouche is hosting the...
3. Kaesler Wine Pairing Dinner at Madison’s Australian pioneers bring a special pairing menu to Hong Kong....

Restaurant & Bar Hong Kong, one of the first fine dining trade exhibitions in the Asia Pacific, is scheduled for 7-9 September, 2010.

The Fair, for trade members only, is for those in the wine business and local wine importers to exhibit their fare and features an extensive line-up of wine related seminars and talks given by local experts and educators like including Debra Meiburg (Master of Wine), Simon Tam, Nelson Chow, Peter Kwong and from winemakers and representatives like Edward McDougall from the 8th Estate Winery and Perluigi Bolla from Valdo Spumanti.

Opening hours for the exhibition are:

• Date:7-9 September (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
• Time: 12noon -7.30pm
• To learn more about the line-up of activities, go to Restaurant & Bar website

Related posts:

1. Restaurant & Bar Exhibition Starts Tomorrow The fine dining exhibition event for trade members. As you...
2. Restaurant & Bar 2010 Brings Out Hong Kong’s Wine Industry A nice trade-only show with a strong emphasis on wine....
3. Hong Kong to Host International Wine Exhibition Vinexpo 2010 [ May 25, 2010 to May 27, 2010. ] Get...

Den Wine Bar opened at QRE Plaza, opposite of Hopewell Center in Wanchai earlier this month. Den Wine Bar is a hip new place that was set up to create a casual social atmosphere for wine lovers to explore their passion. The wine bar is equipped with the latest self-serve wine system that’s all the rage these days. At Den Wine Bar, guests can taste up to 32 varietals of wine by pours which vary with different portions, from 1 oz to full glass sizes at any time.

With wine selections that change every month depending on the season, trends and variety, it plans on being the place for wine lovers to visit regularly to discover wine via tasting. As a wine bar first, Den’s chef has designed the food menu to complement the wine instead of the other way around. Choose from an impressive cheese, charcuterie platter and French tapas to go with your wine. There are special wine pairing menus that are served from brunch till 2am every day of the week. Finally, you know where you can drink and eat till the wee hours when most restaurants’ kitchens close at 10.30pm in Hong Kong!

Where?

• Den Wine Bar is located at 10/F QRE Plaza, 202 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
• Tel: 2838 9022

Related posts:

1. French Dinner Buffet French Fair at Congress Restaurant. The Congress Restaurant is having...
2. Hong Kong Wine Bar Spotlight: Q88 One the best in Admiralty is at the JW Marriott....
3. Spotlight Vineyard: Domaine de Chevalier A Graves Cru Classe producing Domaine. Located in Leognan, capital...

If you’re an Australian wine lover, you’ll be familiar with James Halliday’s Wine Companion which is the equivalent of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate  for Australian wine. The Wine Companion contains honest and impartial review of Australian wine and food matching that will keep any Aussie wine lover informed.

James Halliday has been publishing the annual overview of Australian wine with the Wine Companion since 1986 and the 2011 edition iphone app version is out now. The app is  the #1 Top grossing app in the Lifestye Category of the Apple store for month of August 2010.

The actual hard copy was released in early August but has not yet hit book stores in Hong Kong. If you still insist on getting a hard copy, head on down to Page One bookshops which has Wine Companion 2010 until the 2011 edition arrives.

Highlights of what the Australian Wine Companion include:

• Over 50,000 tasting notes
• Best wines by variety
• The top 100 wines from 2001
• Best value wine in different price range
• Best wineries of the year
• Expert ranking of wineries throughout Australia
• Vintage rating charts

and much more!

How much?

Wine Companion 2011 edition, HK$210 at Page One Times Square tel: 2506 0381

The app costs US$9.99 and can be downloaded from iTunes store

Related posts:

1. LakeBreeze Moscato 2008 – Adelaide’s Award Winning Moscato Adelaide’s Award Winning Moscato. The Lake Breeze Moscato 2008 is...
2. 5 Red Stars for Australia’s West Cape Howe Winery Join The Hip Life Club as they organize a tasting...
3. The World’s First Wine E-Commerce App Buy fine wine and wine futures on your iPhone or...

The phenomenal growth of the wine industry in China has led one of the nascent elite “First Growth” from Bordeaux, Château Margaux, to set up a first ever representative office in Hong Kong. China is Château Margaux’s second market and may soon become its first. As part of their strategy to enter the Chinese market, Château Margaux has acquired a Chinese name, 瑪歌酒莊 and will soon launch a Chinese version of its website.

Thibault Pontallier and Paul Pontallier

Heading up this first venture into Asia is Thibault Pontallier, brand ambassador and also the son of Château Margaux’s General Director.

Pontallier is tasked  to gain a better understanding of the Chinese market and to raise the profile of the brand by organizing tastings and dinners. He will also be meeting with local wine professionals, visiting importers and retailers of Château Margaux.

Château Margaux currently produces:

• Château Margaux Grand Vin
• Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux
• Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux

Related posts:

1. Fine + Rare Wines Opens Office in Hong Kong Fine + Rare Wines sets up shop in Hong Kong....
2. Petrus Hosts ‘Chateau Le Pin’ Wine Dinner [ May 20, 2010; ] Join Mr. Jan Thienpont, brand...
3. Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC Opens Entries for 2010 Competition [ June 28, 2010 to October 8, 2010. ] CX...

Listed as one of the top 10 places to run a marathon by the Lonely Planet Guide, the “Marathon du Médoc” in Bordeaux will be held this year on 11 September. Organized in the spirit of “health, sport, conviviality and fun,” it literally becomes a celebration fully embracing the culture of the Médoc. A marathon unlike any other, there’s gourmet food and wine, live bands, fancy dress marathon runners and fireworks to top it all off.

Held annually every September since 1985, the race was dreamed up by five Bordeaux runners, four of them doctors who wanted to celebrate pleasure, not pain. The Medoc Marathon is 42,195 km and the circuit winds its way across the beautiful wine country of Pauillac in South of France and crosses over 50 of the most famous vineyards in France.

The marathon kicks off at 9.30am with a concert and participants are encouraged to dress up in fancy costumes. There are 22 points of “refreshments” stops for runners to fill up while on the run, mostly of the gourmet kind with stands serving oysters, foie gras, entrecote, steak and other delicacies and of course wine!

So popular is this marathon that there are already 8,500 runners confirmed this year and the organizers have received applications from 15,000 people from all over the world!

Details:

To find out more, go to Marathondumedoc.com

Story submitted by JC Vien, a professionally qualified wine educator and holder of the prestigous Diploma Level 4, WSET and Bordeaux Wine School Educator who will also be running in this year’s Medoc Marathon.

Related posts:

1. Spotlight Vineyard: Chateau Peyrabon, Medoc An uniquely located vineyard between the appellations of Haut-Medoc and...
2. Wine Dinner To Introduce Good Value Bordeaux Wines [ September 23, 2009; 10:00 am; ] Think good Bordeaux...
3. Wine and Gourmet Asia 2009 Side Events So much to do at the Macau show besides just...

photo source: Riedel.com

Well, Robert Parker Jr seems to think so if his quote in the Wine Advocate is anything to go by; “The effect of these glasses on fine wine is profound.”

Riedel, maker of the finest wine glasses in the world, is hosting a “Glass Tasting” event in Central at their store in the Prince Building. This is a great way to discover the effect that the shape and the size of a glass has on the perception of wine and your experience with it.

Details:

• Date: September 15,2010
• Time: 7-8pm
• Venue: Town House, Shop 210-211, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong.
• For enquiries, please contact Ambrose Chan at 2375 0005 ex.144

Related posts:

1. Wine Tasting at the JW Marriott Enjoy a new drinking experience at the Riedel Room. Berry...
2. Red Wine Tasting at Central Today Red Wine Village is organizing a free wine tasting at...
3. Champagne vs Prosecco Sparkling Wine Tasting [ June 18, 2010; ] Enjoy Champagne and Italian's sparkling...