U.S. Wineries See Hope in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, China -- Hong Kong is fast becoming a major wine trading and distribution hub, and many North American wineries seek to expand into the Asian wine market. The second annual Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair, held Nov. 4-6, drew 520 exhibitors from 34 countries and six continents -- more than double the attendance at the 2008 show. With the promise of a burgeoning Asian wine market, many growers made the trip expecting to find distributors anxious for their business: They quickly learned that patience and hard work are necessary to crack the Asian market.

 

Hong Kong’s position as a major wine center has increasingly solidified during the past few years. The Chinese government has taken an active role in making Hong Kong a wine-friendly region -- first by eliminating wine duties in early 2008, and also permitting wine to be transferred to storage prior to clearing customs (rather than sitting on the tarmac). Hong Kong cooperates with major wine-producing nations, already is the main distribution center for Asia and is set to become a wine auction center second only to London.