I'm exploring the Hong Kong Wine Expo and of course with the Olympics and all there is quite a buzz. In almost every restaurant there is a TV switched onto the Olympics with eye balls glued to ping pong matches or some other fringe sport us Americans rarely see.
The evolution of golf and wine in these region go hand in hand. Let's face it both are status hobbies. Enjoying or pretending to enjoy either tells folks you're sophisticated and who doesn't like to be perceived as sophisticated and worldly. The membership manager of the largest golf development in the world, Mission Hills (20 minutes outside of HK with over 12 golf courses) says the new members of the golf club have no idea how to conduct themselves on the golf course. How would you tell a 20 millionaire to "shape up"? How do you tell the same guy buying a bottle Chateau Petrus or Screaming Eagle that you can't mix it with a Coke?
It was very interesting learning from the people at the expo about the winemarket .
here. This is where the majority of the wine market is in Asia. At the same time I have friends in Korea whom I introduced to wine a few years back who have caught up and passed me with their palates. I expect the same to happen here and it's fun to see where it is starting from
On the business end most of you probably don't know that Hong Kong just did away with taxes on wine (before it had been 100% plus). HK wants to be the culinary center of Asia and by relaxing those tariffs, Big Brother or the central government in their infinate wisdom, just opened the door to welcome in more of the top wine producers.
California wines are way behind in the race to market to the Australian, French and other European wines. These countries have been creating relationships with vendors and consumers and the local palate has become very loyal to these wines. California wines are perceived as over priced. Still with some marketing prowess this stereo type will quickly be turned into a positive in the same way status rich brands such as Coach and Armani enjoy.
I'm hoping my first restaurant placement with 19th Hole wine is the City Golf Club driving range on the kowloon side of HK. This four deck ball-whacking haven is situated on some of the most valuable property in HK and the place is full of golfers all day long (6:00 am-midnight). These guys know their wines and also have a world class Thai restaurant on the same property. It might be fun putting a thumb tack on the map for Hong Kong.
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