HOFEX 2017
It is a time when alcoholics..... I mean wine advocates descend upon the world's leading wine and whisky trade fair. The aim being to fill our glasses back home, with the latest offerings the world has to offer. This year, Prowine was held in mesmerising Hong Kong. With the next slated to be in Singapore Apr 2018.
We look at some of the reports from the various wine bodies during the fair and how the wines have performed.
France
It has been tough times for French wines in recent years (And the U.S.) with the climate changes. While natural calamities is not unusual, the rate at which it has been happening is.
Hail storms in 2016, crushed between 6-8% of vineyards in Chablis, Beaujolais and Cognac. In 2017,
frost ravaged much of Bordeaux, Champagne and Cognac (again) with some vineyards losing their entire production. The damage done during the vines growth cycle known as bud break was lasting (More on the annual growth cycle in future postings), leading to some independent producers to shutter their doors for the last time.
Estimated losses is currently estimated at 1 to 2 billion Euros.
At HOFEX, conglomerates took up most of the exhibition stands, with independent producers dotting the few remaining stands. Yet it was the independent producers that shone brightest.
The Bordeaux and Burgundy wines on show were often too tannic, young and close.
Domaine Christophe Semaska, hailing from Cote Rotie, Rhone was our stand out winery of the exhibition.
The wines had soft tannins, complex cherries flavours, luscious thick palate that you will like to get lost in it all day long. The winery started in 1988, in an old, abandoned vineyard. A vineyard that was last used in 1918, after the previous owners went off to join the war.
After years of cautious, meticulous care; The winery now stands at a sprawling 4ha, garnering international recognition.
We have no doubt this winery will be a hit.
Italy
Italy has thousands upon thousands of indigenous grape varietals with many more yet to be uncovered. However only a few varietals such as Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Gera are recognised by the masses. This was reflected in the stands where producers from Chianti and Piedmont dominated.
Wineries have also banded together or formed associations; aggressively forging bonds within various communities in Asia. Consorzio Vino Chianti is one such example. Having targeted South-East Asia as their source of focus for growth in 2017, they have gone as far as tweaking their winemaking recipe and philosophy to satisfy Asian palate.
The maximum production of grapes/Ha have been reduced by 10% to match appellations ruling, and giving it that extra boost in recognition. Changes have also been made to the maximum limit of 4gm/L or residual sugar (RS) for Chianti DOCG wines and it's sub-zones. This was to align with the European community regulation which states that the maximum sugar content of a dry wine can only be 2 points higher than it's total acidity (TA).
With these changes, winemakers can decide the amount of sugar content to retain in their wines.
From the stands, these changes certainly was a hit with the Chinese. Swarms of visitors gave joyful approvals to the exuberant personality of the wines.
It would not be long, before Italian wines would overtake French wines place as the 2nd most imported wines in Asia; If the exhibition is anything to go by.
South Africa
Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is the official South African wine body. Their aim is to drive recognition of South African wines, and to bridge the gap between consumers, distributors and producers. WOSA's Asian arm is based out of Hong Kong, a gateway to China's massive markets.
South African wines have undergone a quiet revolution in recent years.
They have gone from 'burnt rubber' notoriety to leaders for of natural wines (AA Badenhorst, Sadie Family), which seems to be the rage these days. Wineries have also taken matter into their own hands by forming groups to exhibit their premium. The most notable group, Premium Independent Wines of South Africa (PIWOSA) did a recent tour of Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.
At HOFEX, exceptional wines were once again on display with Oldenburg winery's Cabernet Sauvignon particular impressive. It is everything you expect out of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Big, bold and powerful, it quickly pulls any individual under it's rock and roll captivity.
With South Africa's accelerated improvement, it will be fair to say that it will be in the Top 4 most exported wines in the near future.
Overall, HOFEX has been very well organised, with translators in every booth to bridge any gaps in language. As a visitor, we were able to quickly get to our desired booths and enjoy excellent wines.
Till next year.
Gerard Zhang
CSW, WSET
 |
| HOFEX, ProWine |
We look at some of the reports from the various wine bodies during the fair and how the wines have performed.
France
It has been tough times for French wines in recent years (And the U.S.) with the climate changes. While natural calamities is not unusual, the rate at which it has been happening is.
Hail storms in 2016, crushed between 6-8% of vineyards in Chablis, Beaujolais and Cognac. In 2017,
frost ravaged much of Bordeaux, Champagne and Cognac (again) with some vineyards losing their entire production. The damage done during the vines growth cycle known as bud break was lasting (More on the annual growth cycle in future postings), leading to some independent producers to shutter their doors for the last time.
  |
Estimated losses is currently estimated at 1 to 2 billion Euros.
At HOFEX, conglomerates took up most of the exhibition stands, with independent producers dotting the few remaining stands. Yet it was the independent producers that shone brightest.
The Bordeaux and Burgundy wines on show were often too tannic, young and close.
Domaine Christophe Semaska, hailing from Cote Rotie, Rhone was our stand out winery of the exhibition.
 |
| Chateau Domaine Christophe Semaska |
The wines had soft tannins, complex cherries flavours, luscious thick palate that you will like to get lost in it all day long. The winery started in 1988, in an old, abandoned vineyard. A vineyard that was last used in 1918, after the previous owners went off to join the war.
After years of cautious, meticulous care; The winery now stands at a sprawling 4ha, garnering international recognition.
 |
| Chateau Domaine Christophe Semaska wines |
We have no doubt this winery will be a hit.
Italy
Italy has thousands upon thousands of indigenous grape varietals with many more yet to be uncovered. However only a few varietals such as Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Gera are recognised by the masses. This was reflected in the stands where producers from Chianti and Piedmont dominated.
 |
| Chianti Wines on Show |
Wineries have also banded together or formed associations; aggressively forging bonds within various communities in Asia. Consorzio Vino Chianti is one such example. Having targeted South-East Asia as their source of focus for growth in 2017, they have gone as far as tweaking their winemaking recipe and philosophy to satisfy Asian palate.
The maximum production of grapes/Ha have been reduced by 10% to match appellations ruling, and giving it that extra boost in recognition. Changes have also been made to the maximum limit of 4gm/L or residual sugar (RS) for Chianti DOCG wines and it's sub-zones. This was to align with the European community regulation which states that the maximum sugar content of a dry wine can only be 2 points higher than it's total acidity (TA).
With these changes, winemakers can decide the amount of sugar content to retain in their wines.
From the stands, these changes certainly was a hit with the Chinese. Swarms of visitors gave joyful approvals to the exuberant personality of the wines.
  |
| Amarone bottle number 675. Lovely dark notes. The pinot Grigio on offer certainly didn't disappoint |
It would not be long, before Italian wines would overtake French wines place as the 2nd most imported wines in Asia; If the exhibition is anything to go by.
South Africa
Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is the official South African wine body. Their aim is to drive recognition of South African wines, and to bridge the gap between consumers, distributors and producers. WOSA's Asian arm is based out of Hong Kong, a gateway to China's massive markets.
South African wines have undergone a quiet revolution in recent years.
They have gone from 'burnt rubber' notoriety to leaders for of natural wines (AA Badenhorst, Sadie Family), which seems to be the rage these days. Wineries have also taken matter into their own hands by forming groups to exhibit their premium. The most notable group, Premium Independent Wines of South Africa (PIWOSA) did a recent tour of Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.
 |
| Eramus wines. Surprising sprightly and fun win |
At HOFEX, exceptional wines were once again on display with Oldenburg winery's Cabernet Sauvignon particular impressive. It is everything you expect out of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Big, bold and powerful, it quickly pulls any individual under it's rock and roll captivity.
 |
| Oldenburg wines. Unforgettable Cabernet Sauvignon |
With South Africa's accelerated improvement, it will be fair to say that it will be in the Top 4 most exported wines in the near future.
Overall, HOFEX has been very well organised, with translators in every booth to bridge any gaps in language. As a visitor, we were able to quickly get to our desired booths and enjoy excellent wines.
Till next year.
Gerard Zhang
CSW, WSET
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