Acker Merrall & Condit Presents an Unprecedented Selection of the World’s Greatest Vintage Champagnes and Wines in March Auction in Hong Kong(1)

Hong Kong – Acker Merrall & Condit, America’s oldest wine merchant and the world’s leading wine auction house, will hold its first auction of 2009 - Finest and Rarest Wines Featuring A Legendary Offer of Vintage Champagne on 28 March (Saturday) at the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong. 

The sale presents an amazing array of 1,000 lots of wines and champagnes, representing two centuries of fine winemaking with some ancient rarities dating back to the 1900s.  Estimated to realize in excess of HK$35 million (US$4.5 million), it features nearly 5,800 bottles, of which 768 are in large formats, including some exceptionally large sizes of 9, 12, 15 and 18 liters which are rarely seen at auction.

Two significant collections highlight this great sale:  Vintage Champagne and Wines from the Cellar of Robert Rosania, who is the world's foremost collector of vintage Champagne, and A legendary Collection of Ancient Bordeaux and Burgundy.

The sale also marks the launch of live bidding over the Internet by Acker Merrall & Condit in Hong Kong.  Wine lovers from around the world may bid with this convenient, real-time bidding service simply by registering at bidlive@ackerwines.com.

Clients can also view images and download the catalogue of the auction at www.ackerasia.com, as well as being able to register, search and bid online.

John Kapon, Acker Merrall & Condit’s President and Auction Director, said: “Following on from the success of our Hong Kong sales last year which achieved a spectacular annual total of HK$116 million (US$15 million), we are very excited to bring to Hong Kong for the first time a tremendous selection of older and rarer wines which have never before appeared at auction in Asia.  We are very privileged to offer vintage Champagne from the Collection of Robert Rosania whose cellar includes only the best of the best in vintage Champagne.  The sale promises to provide a perfect opportunity for Asian collectors to acquire some of the rarest and most treasured wines from impeccable provenance.” 

“Hong Kong Government’s exemption of wine duty to zero in 2008 has given a great boost to the market and helped foster a stronger wine culture in Hong Kong.  Hong Kong is now well positioned in the marketplace to become the wine hub in the Asia region.  As the world’s leading wine auction house, we are fully committed to helping Hong Kong to achieve this status.”