Hong Kong wine auction leading the world

HONG KONG, May 17 — The fine wine market in Hong Kong is already the second largest in the world — outside New York — and international auction houses seemed determined to see it reach the top.

The four auctions held in Hong Kong from January to March this year pulled in more than US$28 million (RM89 million) — or around 17 per cent more than the eight wine auctions conducted at the same time across the United States. And the latest sale to be arranged for the city is priming itself as the “largest wine auction ever conducted in Asia and one of the top three wine auctions of all time worldwide.’’

Acker Merrall & Condit will present “The Imperial Cellar” (http://www.ackerasia.com) — a single cellar sale — on May 28-29 at the Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, and is estimating the total value of the lots on offer at more than HK$125 million (RM52 million).

Among the 1,820 lots are 6,000 bottles from Bordeaux and close to 9,500 bottles from Burgundy. Included among them are more than 450 bottles of pre-1961 Bordeaux, including 181 bottles coming from the legendary 1961 vintage.

And there is also a selection of 1,470 bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti to go with 1,100 bottles by Henri Jayer, “one of the most revered and sought-after producers of Burgundy,” according to the auctioneers.

Another unique item up for grabs is the “Private Dinner for Eight at Chateau Margaux’,’ which includes a guided tour with the owners and a “sumptuous and hedonistic wine dinner prepared by the chefs of the Chateau.’’ Bidding is expected to start at HK$200,000.

International wine buffs can join the action via a real-time bidding service — with registration available via bidlive. — AFP/Relaxnews