AWSEC

Kim Crawford Wine Maker Tutored Tasting at AWSEC

2011-09-28T16:49:00.000+08:00

Kim Crawford Tutored Tasting by Head Wine Maker Anthony Walkenhorst

Kim Crawford Wines is renowned for consistent, exceptional quality wines, vintage after vintage. Paramount to the success of these esteemed wines is, of course, the winemakers. Anthony Walkenhorst may be recently appointed as the Kim Crawford Chief Winemaker, but he is definitely not the “new kid on the block!” Based at the Riverlands Winery in Blenheim, Anthony joined the Kim Crawford Wines team in 2005. Working alongside former winemakers, Kim Crawford and Matt Large, they collaborated in creating the philosophy and style of the wines which continues to thrive today.

Anthony’s career as a winemaker was motivated by a genuine passion for wine which grew from hands-on work experience in a winery within Australia’s Yarra Valley. As Anthony proclaims, “Being a winemaker allows me to combine creativity and science which I love. I was hooked from the beginning!”

Following his work in Australia, Anthony went on to gain a First Class Honours Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology) from one of the leading institutions for oenology and viticulture, The University of Adelaide, South Australia (formerly known as Roseworthy). On his quest to learn all aspects of wine, Anthony took his studies further, following the vintage trail to experience harvests in Australia, the U.S. and Canada, including the Napa Valley, Ontario and the Barossa Valley.

When a job opportunity opened up in New Zealand at Kim Crawford Wines, Anthony jumped at the chance to work with the acclaimed wine brand and the infamous Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grape. His first harvest proved to be very exciting with Kim Crawford winning the Sauvignon Blanc Trophy at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards! Anthony fell in love with Kim Crawford and New Zealand and has been part of the award-winning team ever since.

Anthony gave students and attendees a tutored tasting in the full range of the Kim Crawford wines including:

Kim Crawford Marlborough Dry Riesling 2007

Kim Crawford Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010

Kim Crawford Marlborough Unwooded Chardonnay 2007

Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Kim Crawford Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Kim Crawford Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010

Kim Crawford Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010

Kim Crawford Hawkes Bay Merlot 2010

Panco Campo's Video Tells All About WineFuture Hong Kong 2011

2011-09-27T09:35:00.000+08:00

Check out this video. It's only 12 minutes long. In it Pancho Campo MW talks in depth about the benefits of attending WineFuture Hong Kong 2011, how attending will benefit you and your company and how this event will be the showpiece of the wine world since the last WineFuture in Rioja in 2009.

Tickets for this prestigious event are selling fast as everyone wants to get involved in the wine trade and involved in the future of the wine trade.

In the video, Pancho willl highlight the Grand Tastings held by Robert Parker, Jancis Robinson MW and Pancho Campo MW himself. Plus Pancho talks about the Trade Show area where you can rub shoulders with the world prominent wine makers and wine superstars.

Take a little time to watch this movie, you wont be dissapointed. There is much to learn from Pancho and even more to learn from WineFuture Hong Kong 2011.

For more information log on www.winefuture.hk or go to www.awsec.com for more information.

To contact us please e-mail us at winefuture@awsec.com or call 2964-0188.

We hope to see YOU at WineFuture Hong Kong 2011.....

2011-09-26T11:58:00.000+08:00

Asia Wine Service and Education Centre, Asia’s premier wine education centre welcomes you to a new month of wine packed courses and special events. This October we have four fantastic classes for wine lovers and wine experts alike.

Another month is yet upon us so that means more unique and exciting classes, workshops and tutored tastings for you to enjoy.

October sees the continuation of the ASWEC Beginners Courses with both English (September 30^th and October 7^th) and Cantonese (October 10^th and 17^th) classes. For those without any knowledge of wine and would like to garner enough information to make good wine choices in future, this is an ideal course for you. We will teach you; understanding wine labels and wine lists, wine etiquette, major grape varieties around the world, basic wine tasting techniques, major wine producing countries of the world and the basics in matching food and wine.

Ever wanted to try Australia’s most expensive wine? No, we are not talking about Penfolds Grange – but you can try that too! On Saturday October 8^th we will host a Vertical Tasting of Penfolds Grange and Torbreck The Laird Wines. Come and taste with us these iconic Australian wines where we have both the 2005 and 2006 Torbreck The Laird and 1995-1998 & 2001 Penfolds Grange. This is a chance not to be missed and maybe one of the only opportunities to taste these matured and ready to drink vintages. Torbreck The Laird 2005 is the most expensive Australian wine currently on the market so we suggest you come and join us putting it up against the Grange.

Wine names are often daunting and at times can create difficulty in ordering that favoured wine in a restaurant for fear of embarrassment. But fear no more! On Thursday 13^th October we will be hosting our Wine Pronunciation Workshop. Come and join us to learn and practice the pronunciation of the main grape varieties, wine regions and wine names you are most likely to encounter. All students will receive a certificate and a pocket sized pronunciation handbook – not to mention we will be serving some lovely wine throughout the class.

Finally in October we have two Expert Tastings. On Monday 24^th October we will host a Champagne and Sparkling Wine class where wines will be tasted with expert guidance on how to identify the key elements of each wine. On Saturday 29^th October we will do the same with Fortified Wines. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn from the Diploma Tutor. As these tastings fill up fast it’s best to book early to avoid disappointment.

We hope you can join us for one or all of our featured events in September and look forward to seeing in the not-too-distant future. Details and prices of all events are below:

AWSEC Beginners Course:

English: 30^th September and 7^th October – 7:30 – 9:30pm

Chinese: 10^th October and 17^th October – 7:30 – 9:30pm

Cost: $1,280 per person

Vertical Tasting of Penfolds Grange and Torbreck The Laird

Saturday 8^th October – 6:30 – 8:30pm

Cost: $4,800 per person

Wine Pronunciation Workshop

Thursday 13^th October – 7:30 – 9:00pm

Cost: $280 per person ($380 special price for two)

Expert Tasting

Monday 24^th October – 7:30-9:30pm – Champagne and Sparkling Wines

Saturday 29^th October – 7:30-9:30pm – Fortified Wines

Cost: $480 per person for each session

Vertical Tasting of Penfolds Grange and Torbreck The Laird

2011-09-23T13:17:00.000+08:00

Many people believe that Penfolds Grange is the most expecnsive Australian wine. This is no longer the case with Torbreck 'The Laird' having taken over that mantle from its first vintage in 2005.
Now you have a uniques opportunity to compare the two vintages with have been released from Torbreck as well as five vintages of Penfolds Grange.

Wines to be tasted are:

Torbreck The Laird 2005
Torbreck The Laird 2006

Penfolds Grange 1995
Penfolds Grange 1996
Penfolds Grange 1997
Penfolds Grange 1998
Penfolds Grange 2001

Salitage 1996 (to be tasted first)

- Warm up with a glass of Salitage which is fully matured and ready to drink. The rest of the wines will be double decanted before the tasting.

- We will serve the youngest vintages first to allow the wines to fully develop in the glass.

- This is a very special opportunity to taste what should be fantastic wines and a very special comparison.

- Although expensive, this tasting gives you a unique chance to taste some very special (and very expensive wines)...WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US!!!

Date: 8th October 2011 (Saturday)

Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Where: ASWEC office

Cost: $4,800 per person

Bookings:
Please call, fax or e-mail us on:

Tel: 2964-0188
Fax: 2550-7681
E-Mail: bookings@awsec.com

Check out more events at www.awsec.com

"The Diversity and Passion of Spanish Wines"

2011-09-19T08:52:00.000+08:00

Regional Spanish Wine Tasting with Pancho Campo MW at WineFuture Hong Kong 2011

WineFuture Hong Kong 2011 is delighted to announce that the Spanish wines for the Grand Tasting held by Pancho Campo MW, Spain’s first Master of Wine, are ready to be unleashed on the public.

A masterclass and a tasting of 16 of the most important and legendary wines of Spain will be conducted by Pancho Campo MW on the opening day of WineFuture Hong Kong 2011.

The masterclass features one of the most exciting and impressive audiovisual displays ever used in the wine industry and tasters will be enthralled by Pancho’s travels across Spain to bring delegates some of the country’s best wines.

This tasting will include wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Jumilla, Priorat, Toro, Aragón, Cava and Sherry – overall 14 regions will be represented at this superb tasting event.

The wines to be tasted are:

1. DO Rías Baixas - Pazo de Señorans 2010

2. DO Cava - Celler Batlle 2001

3. DO Penedés - Mas La Plana 2007

4. DOQ Priorat - Ferrer-Bobet 2008

5. DO Amporda - Finca Garbet 2005

6. DO Navarra - Pago de Cirsus Selección de Familia 2005

7. DOP Dominio de Valdepusa - Emeritus 2005

8. DOP Terrerazo - Quincha Corral 2007

9. DOCa Rioja - Barón de Chirel 2008

10. DOCa Rioja - Trasnocho 2004

11. DOCa Rioja - Finca El Bosque 2007

12. DO Ribera del Duero - Aalto PS 2005

13. DO Toro - Termanthia 2006

14. DO Campo de Borja - Aquilon 2007

15. DO Jumilla - El Nido 2008

For more information go to www.winefuture.hk or contact AWSEC on 2964-0188 or at winefuture@awsec.com

What's happening at AWSEC....

2011-09-15T12:32:00.000+08:00

It's all go here as the post mid-autumn rush kicks in at AWSEC....

Winefuture Hong Kong is gearing up to be Hong Kong's biggest and baddest wine event in history with Robert Parker releasing his Grand Tasting Wines - "The Magical 20".

Jancis Robinson has released her "Beyond Bordeaux" wines for her tasting including wines from China, Turkey and Brazil.

Pancho Campo has released his wines for his Spanish Grand tasting featuring wines from 13 different regions in Spain.

Monday 19th September sees AWSEC's Swiss wines and Smoked Salmon tasting event - there are still some seats available so get in touch with us to book your place.

Also next week, on the 21st September (Wednesday) we are hosting a Wine Pronounciation Workshop to de-mystify the language of wine and make it all the more easy for you to order that Gewurztraminer in your local restaurant.

Coming up towards the end of the month we have a tutored Kim Crawford tasting and a Fine Bordeaux tasting of Petrus and Lafite from the 1970's and Chateau Talbot and Chateau La Lagune from the iconic 1961 vintage.

Get on to our website for more information - www.awsec.com - or give us a Tweet or just do it old school and give us a call for more inforamtion (+852) 2964-0188

Jancis Robinson talks about WineFuture HK 2011

2011-07-06T16:52:00.000+08:00

Wine Investment

2011-06-30T11:32:00.000+08:00

New Event

Join us for a Seminar on Wine Investment

Fine German Wine Tasting

2011-06-30T11:31:00.000+08:00

We are lucky to have an exclusive tasting of Fine German Wine with Martin Palmer from Nahe.

please see detaila below

James Halliday

2011-06-27T13:15:00.001+08:00

James Halliday will be @ AWSEC centre to hold an exclusive Tutored Tasting , please see below for details.

2011-06-03T19:04:00.001+08:00

Germany - Anbaugebiete

Ok, so we have done the Anbaugebiete (Region), now lets look at the district inside the Anbaugebiete, which is called a Bereich. A Bereich is a district that consists of several communes.

Generally there are 1 or more of these within an Anbaugebeite and the Beriech name will generally always appear on the label.

If you are interested in more please see the list below

Anbaugebeite

Anbaugebeite with listed Bereichs

Mosel

Bernkastel
Burg Cochem
Moseltor
Obermosel
Ruwertal
Saar

Nahe

Nahetal

Rheingau

Johannisberg

Rheinhessen

Bingen
Nierstein
Wonnegau

Pfalz

Mittelhaardt-Deutsche Weinstrasse
Sudliche Weinstrasse

Baden

Badische Bergstrasse
Bodensee
Breisgau
Kaiserstuhl
Markgraflerland
Ortenau
Tauberfraken
Tuniberg

Walporzheim-Ahrtal

Franken

Maindreieck
Mainviereck
Steigerwald

Hessische Bergstrasse

Starkenburg
Umstadt

Mittelrhein

Loreley
Siebengebirge

Saale-Unstrut

Schlossneuenburg
Thuringen

Sachsen

Dresden
Elstertal
Meissen

Wurttemberg

Bayerischer Bodensee
Kocher-Jagst-Tauber
Oberer Neckar
Remstal-Stuttgart
Wurttembergisch Bodensee
Wurttembergisch Unterland

Tutored Tasting

2011-06-03T13:10:00.000+08:00

The Wine Academy of Spain

Germany - Anbaugebiete

2011-05-24T12:59:00.001+08:00

In Germany there are two Quality Wine levels

Qualitatswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete (QbA)
Pradikatswein (formerly Qualitatswein mit Pradikat (QmP))

Both wines must be made in an Anbaugebeite, an Anbaugebeite is what's called a region in English.

There are 13 Quality Anbaugebeite (regions) in Germany. For a wine to be a QbA it must come from one of the 13 Anbaugebeite, blending from another Anbaugebeite (region) is forbidden.

Pradikatswein wines must come from one of the 13 Anbaugebeite (regions), but also this is a higher quality so must come from a single Bereich ( a district inside an Anbaugebeite (region))

Anbaugebeite

Mosel
Nahe
Rheingau
Rheinhessen
Pfalz
Baden
Ahr
Franken
Hessische Bergstrasse
Mittelrhein
Saale-Unstrut
Sachsen
Wurttemberg

Glossary

Anbaugebeite

Designated Quality wine region

Bereich

A district inside an Anbaugebeite (made up of several communes)

Pradikatswein

Quality wine made in a Beriech

German wine is not an easy subject to come to terms with straight away, hope these few facts can get you on the way to maybe looking into German wines more.

If you have any enquiries, please email us

AWSEC

Wine News for April

2011-05-03T10:44:00.004+08:00

Acker Merrall & Condit, the world’s premier wine auction house, announced it will auction two of the oldest and rarest bottles of wine in the world – Champagnes recovered in 2010 from a 19th century shipwreck off the Åland Islands of Finland.This unique auction will feature two single bottles, one each from the legendary houses of Veuve Clicquot and Juglar. These vintage Champagnes, which date to the early 1840s and are thought to be the oldest Champagnes for sale in existence, are among the most exciting discoveries ever in the world of wine.

According to the Telegraph UK newspaper, a champagne with the name Prince William was produced by Alexander Bonnet to mark the Royal Wedding - on April 29 - of Prince William and Kate Middleton and was launched in UK at Tesco stores for £24.99. Lucky Prince William, good luck with married life !

Eco News now. Williams Seylem Estate Winery as 14 solar thermal collectors on the roof of its estate. Solar hot water systems are a relatively low-cost way for wineries to use the power of the sun to reduce energy costs. Kunde Family Estate (Kenwood, CA) installed a solar thermal system in 2010, and Williams Selyem Estate Winery (Healdsburg, CA) built a new facility with barrel storage, a bottling line, and visitor center with a solar photovoltaic (PV) energygenerating system for electricity, and a solar thermal system for hot water generation.

Go to www.practicalwinery.com for more technical details.

More and more winerys are trying to reduce their carbon footprint.

If you have any comments regarding Wine & Spirits please enter below.

Thanks, Keep in touch

AWSEC Team

The full list of DOCG of Italy

2011-04-29T17:49:00.003+08:00

Italy has 64 DOCG's , have you ever wanted to know them, well here they are!

Abruzzo (1)
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo "Colline Teramane"

Basilicata (1)
Aglianico del Vulture

Campania (4)
Fiano di Avellino
Greco di Tufo
Taurasi
Aglianico del Taburno

Emilia Romagna (2)
Albana di Romagna
Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto

Friuli-Venezia Giulia (3)
Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit (including Picolit Cialla)
Ramandolo
Rosazzo - Non c'e Rosazzo senza spine

Lazio (2)
Cesanese del Piglio
Frascati Superiore
Canellino di Frascati

Lombardia (5)
Franciacorta
Oltrepo Pavese
Sforzato della Valtellina
Valtellina Superiore
Moscato di Scanzo

Marche (5)
Conero
Vernaccia di Serrapetrona
Verdicchio di Matelica
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico
Offida

Piemonte (16)
Asti spumante - Moscato d'Asti
Barbaresco
Barbera d'Asti
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore
Barolo (Chinato, as well, falls under this DOCG)
Brachetto D'Acqui (or Acqui)
Dolcetto di Dogliani Superiore (or Dogliani)
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore
Gattinara
Gavi (or Cortese di Gavi)
Ghemme
Roero (Rosso & Bianco)
Erbaluce di Caluso
Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato
Alta Langa
Dolcetto Diano d'Alba

Apulia (1)
Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale

Sardegna (1)
Vermentino di Gallura

Sicilia (1)
Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Toscana (9)
Brunello di Montalcino
Carmignano
Chianti
Chianti Classico
Elba Aleatico Passito
Montecucco Sangiovese
Morellino di Scansano
Vernaccia di S.Gimignano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Umbria (2)
Montefalco Sagrantino
Torgiano Rosso Riserva

Veneto (10)
Bardolino Superiore
Recioto di Gambellara
Recioto di Soave
Soave Superiore
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Asolo Prosecco Superior
Amarone della Valpolicella including Recioto della Valpolicella
Piave Malanotte (or Malanotte del Piave)
Lison
Colli Euganei Fiori d’Arancio

Hope you found it usefull, drop me a line

Thanks
AWSEC

News from March 2011

2011-04-02T15:09:00.006+08:00

Would you like to have a 70 year Old Glenlivet Single Malt Whisky, then you’re going to have to pay about HK$156,000. Plus that’s only if you can get your hands on one. Released in March there were only 100 x 70 cl decanters (bottled in nice decanters) being released, so not easy to get your hands on one of the oldest whiskies in the world even if you do have the spare cash.
Single Malt Whisky is a product of one distillery and most of the time aged for a considerable time before release, hence the price. Generally the whisky will be a blend of different casks and ages in order to provide some consistency, but all the whiskies will be from the same distillery. Occasionally as in this case with exceptionally old whiskies and sometimes bottled also as a single cask malt whisky.

Japan was hit by an earthquake in March, then followed by a Tsunami and then followed by a nuclear disaster which will have devastating long term effects for all the people of Japan and all its industries. Many sake breweries have been wiped out, estimates are counting over 30 may not be rebuilt due to possible contamination or being completely demolished. There has been a huge loss of life and all our thoughts go out to the people of Japan.

Figures in March were released that puts the USA as the biggest wine consuming nation in 2010. The figure of nearly 330m cases consumed is including domestically produced and imported wines. Chardonnay is still the choice of Americans with also a liking for Champagne. Well done USA.

You can now get the Slow Wine guide in English as an app for the iPhone and iPad launched in March 2011. Slow Food is described on their website
“Slow Food is a global, grassroots organization with supporters in 150 countries around the world who are linking the pleasure of good food with a commitment to their community and the environment.
A non-profit member-supported association, Slow Food was founded in 1989 to counter the rise of fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world. Today, we have over 100,000 members joined in 1,300 convivia – our local chapters – worldwide, as well as a network of 2,000 food communities who practice small-scale and sustainable production of quality foods.”
Slow Wine 2011 lists 8,400 wines from 1850 wineries chosen for their green credentials with things listed in the book like their copper sulphate levels in the vineyard, what fertilizers and pesticides are used. It even lists the types of yeasts used in each winery with links to googlemaps. If you are a iPhone app and an Italian wine lover then this is for you.

I will end with my favourite story of March 2011. Geales fish restaurant in London Notting Hill is to be a part of the release of the 1999 Salon Champagne. It recommends having it with Fish n Chips. I totally agree with this and I haven’t been that lucky to have such an awesome vintage champagne with Fish n Chips, but I have had Bollinger’s with Fish n Chips and it’s fantastic.
Salon 1999 is a Blanc de Blancs so 100% Chardonnay and made from a selection of 19 vineyards from Le Mesnil. The first batch of 1999 (2000 x BT) that has been released was aged for 10 years and disgorged and bottled in 2000, the remaining will be disgorged in batches of 2000 bottles every 6 months. Total production was 50,000 bottles. I’m going to try and get my hands on one of those.

Thanks for reading and keep in touch

AWSEC team

News February 2011

2011-03-07T10:30:00.011+08:00

News from February 2011

From Decanter: Giacomo Tachis is one of the fathers of Italian wine and has been named by Decanter the Decanter Man of the Year 2011. He is one of the forefathers of the Super Tuscan Wine and helped in the creation of wines such as Sassicaia at the Bolgheri Estate of San Guido. He is known for introducing the Bordeaux variety Cabernet Sauvignon to the Super Tuscan wines Sassicaia, Tignanello and Solaia. Even though he has retired he is very much still involved in wine. You can enjoy his creations and other Super Tuscan Wines in our Tutored tasting on March 18^th please call the AWSEC office for details or click on next event near the top of the page.

It’s reported that the wine maker Markus Bachmann has created & invented a special speaker that he uses to play classical music and other types of music to the fermenting grape juice. He says “the sound waves have a positive influence in the maturing process and produce a better tasting wine”.

Corkage Laws: Wine spectator reported that more restaurants now are allowing corkage because in some states of the USA there is a corkage ban. You have to have a special license to allow Corkage in your restaurant. It sounds very complicated and it’s something we don’t have a problem with in Hong Kong as a consumer, we just ring up the restaurant first to see how much the corkage is before we bring along our special wine from our collection. It’s ironic the Restaurateurs in USA want to allow corkage and in Hong Kong restaurateurs want to ban corkage.

In February we saw a huge Earthquake of 6.3 hit Christchurch, there was a large loss of life and people are again starting to rebuild their life. Wineries were also affected and some had just

Started getting over the damage from the earthquake last September’s. Christchurch is on the east coast about halfway down the South Island and also sits in the middle of the Canterbury Wine Appellation and generally this time the Wineries didn’t get hit as much as that did in September last year.

If you have any comments regarding Wine & Spirits please enter below.

Thanks, Keep in touch

AWSEC Team

IMPORTANT NOTICE

2011-02-28T11:37:00.003+08:00

GALA NIGHT - Asia Wine Service & Education Centre (AWSEC)

DRESS CODE - Semi Formal (No Jeans, No Trainers, No Shorts)

OFFICE HOURS - will close at 5pm on March 1st

for us to prepare for the GALA Event at Hotel Nikko. The office will then open as normal in the morning at 9am on March 2nd. If you have any enquires please call 2581 4500,

Thanks...AWSEC Team

See You There!!

Launch Night - March 1st 2011

2011-02-23T08:46:00.003+08:00

Hi Everyone,

We are about to launch our first BLOG in conjunction with our

AWSEC Gala Night - Alumni Inauguration and Awards Ceremony

JOIN US
For a great evening with dinner and great wines where we gather present and former students of AWSEC, friends and VIPs from the wine and spirit trade
&
Celebrate our 16-year milestone in wine education and the tremendous achievements of AWSEC students

Wednesday, 1 March 2011
Grand Ballroom, Hotel Nikko Hong Kong
72 Mody Road, Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong

6:30pm Cocktail Reception
7:30pm Dinner

HKD580 per person
HKD5,300 for a table for 10

Inclusive of a delicious 3-course menu, wide range of free-flowing wines and a truly unforgettable experience.

Receive a HKD100 coupon for AWSEC Tutored Tastings when you book your ticket.

RSVP to Hestor Lo
(852) 2581-4500 or hestor@awsec.com

Click Link Below for more info:
http://www.facebook.com/AWSEC?sk=photos#!/event.php?eid=154621481259415

Best Regards,

Team @ AWSEC