Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/573907
October 2015 WINES&VINES 21 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS H ong Kong—North American vintners will have the opportunity to meet po- tential buyers and get a sense of the fast-changing Asian market for wine at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair being held Nov. 5-7. The eighth edition of the fair, a tasting and sourcing platform for wine enthusiasts and traders, is expected to attract more than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Devel- opment Council, the fair in 2014 attracted nearly 20,000 trade buyers from 75 countries and regions, and as many as 30,000 public visitors in a day. The Hong Kong location is advantageous due to the city's dual status as a large and fast-growing wine market in its own right, and as a gateway to mainland China, which is rapidly developing a middle class with a taste for international wines. As Asian consumers are becoming more wine literate, the global wine industry is shift- ing its attention to Asia. According to Euro- monitor International, wine sales in Asia amounted to $77.5 billion in 2014, up 54% compared to five years ago. Wine sales are forecast to grow 4.4% per year through 2018. Sales in China are more dynamic, totaling $48.1 billion in 2014, up 116% compared to five years ago. Through 2018, sales are forecast to grow 6.1% per year in value. Since the Hong Kong government elimi- nated wine duties in 2008, Hong Kong's wine sector has taken off. In 2014, Hong Kong's imports of wine rose 4.5% in volume and 5.1% in value, amounting to $1.1 billion, while total exports grew 16% by volume and 52% in value to $310 million during the same period. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has invited Portugal to be the partner country for the 2015 fair, which will include a Portu- guese pavilion and a lineup of Portugal-themed wine events and activities. A number of traditional and emerging wine- producing regions have confirmed pavilions at the approaching fair, including the North Caro- lina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Events taking place during the three-day fair will include tastings, classes, cocktail dem- onstrations and seminars. More than 70 events were featured at the 2014 edition. Buyers will be able to soak up the latest market intelligence and product and marketing developments. Every year, the simultaneous Wine Industry Conference attracts hundreds of wine profes- sionals. This year, master of wine Debra Mei- burg will again serve as the conference's advisor and moderator and share the latest industry updates with the audience. The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition will take into ac- count the Asian palate and consumption cul- ture as they select the best wines of the year. For more details, visit hkiwsc.com/home. —Jim Gordon StaVın Inc, P.O.Box 1693, Sausalito,CA 94966 (415) 331-7849 f (415) 331-0516 stavin.com One of our staff scientists, Dr. Jeff McCord has developed a micro-oxygenation system which enables stainless tanks to breathe in precisely the same manner as oak barrels. When used in union with StaVin's array of Oak Integration Systems, The OxBox can effectively transform a stainless tank into the oak barrels of your choice. For about a third of the price. ® © 2015 StaVin Inc. Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair Is Nov. 5-7 Nearly 20,000 trade buyers attended the 2014 Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair.