Fine wine news

Chinese consumers are expanding their wine tastes beyond Bordeaux, buying up wine from Burgundy and other French regions. But Italy is hoping to attract more Chinese drinkers later this year.

Veronafiere, organisers of the Vinitaly wine fair, has signed an agreement with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to ensure a strong trading platform at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits fair later this year, The Drinks Business reported.

HKTDC deputy executive director Benjamin Chau visited the Italian wine fair where he signed the agreement. It will see Italy's largest representation at the Hong Kong event to date.

Reflecting the importance of Italy to the Chinese wine market, Mr Chau told the news provider that Hong Kong imported €21 million worth of wine from Italy last year, almost a 40 per cent growth on 2010's imports.

"Wine is an increasingly important trade element as Hong Kong emerges as the wine trade hub of Asia," he added.

The Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair takes place from November 8th to 10th and will see around 1,000 exhibitors from leading and emerging wine regions across the world. Last year, almost 20,000 trade buyers from 71 countries and regions attended the event.