2015 Great Wines of the World Event Recap

The Great Wines of the World event held on November 5 and 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong was nothing short of spectacular, joining more than 50 of the world’s most powerful vintners with 1,000 of Hong Kong’s most sophisticated wine crowd for the Grand Tasting and awards dinner, living up to what James comments as, “a celebration of the Great Wines of the World with some of the greatest wine producer in the world in one of the greatest wine markets in the world”. 

Organized by JamesSuckling.com and Hong Kong Tatler, more than 800 people attended the Grand Tasting on November 5, swirling and sipping 150 top wines presented by 50 of the world’s most renowned wineries including Bordeaux first growths Lafite and Mouton, as well as Italy’s prestigious Sassicaia and Bruno Giacosa. Guests were also served with fine Champagnes from Billecart Salmon at the cocktail reception.

About 800 bottles of wines in total from some of the wineries’ latest releases to some treasured old vintages such as 1863 and 1937 Ports were poured at the event. Moreover, more than 20,000 people visited our Great Wines of the World booth a week before at the Wine & Dine Festival held in conjunction with our event, making it the biggest consumer wine event in the world. 

Peter Lam, Chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, organizer of the Wine & Dine Festival, also joined James and Hong Kong wine lovers at this tasting extravaganza at Four Seasons Hotel to taste some top wines. “This is the best highend event in Hong Kong for both trade and consumers,” he enthused.

Another highlight of the event that generated much buzz was the 2015 Wine of the Year Awards Dinner held at Asia Society on the night of November 6. More than 200 people attended the dinner and witnessed the announcement of the much-anticipated Wine of the Year award.

Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Brunello di Montalcino Castelgiocondo 2010 was crowned as the Wine of the Year by James out of 9,000 bottles tasted and posted this year on JamesSuckling.com. He emphasized during a speech at the dinner that the Frescobaldi Brunello 2010 was chosen for its outstanding quality, value and availability. Owner Lamberto Frescobaldi was present to accept the award and received an engraved Lalique 100-points decanter with a special gold top. This winning wine along with the No. 2 and No. 3 wines on James’ top 100 wines of 2015 were poured at the dinner for guests. In total, more than 50 premium wines were served at the dinner. 

Photos from top to bottom:All the wineries attending the Great Wines of the World event at Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong; More than 800 guests showed up for the Grand Tasting on November 6; Guests sniffing and tasting some of the top wines at the event; Awards receipients receiving Lalique engraved 100-points decanters at the awards dinner (from left to right: James Suckling, Eduardo Muga, Lamberto Frescobaldi, Christoph Salin (CEO DBR (Lafite)), Silvio Denz (CEO Lalique) and Zita Ong). 

Check out the event photos for Grand Tasting and awards dinner below to savor some of the great moments of the event. You can also watch the event video on the top to get the vibe. 

Grand Tasting photos:

The awards dinner photos:

– Natalie Wang