Wine Merchants in Hong Kong
Wine Merchants in Hong Kong
by Kimberley Drake
The popularity of wine has surged since the government lifted the import duties in 2008. There are several merchants and outlets from where you can purchase wine, but it is advisable to do business with reputable merchants who source reliably and responsibly, and who keep their wines in temperature controlled warehousing. It all depends upon what your taste is in wines, but here are a few recommendations for merchants:
Altaya**
2804 Bank of America Tower 12 Harcourt Rd. +852.2523.2945Specialties: Burgundy, Italian, Cult California
Berry Bros & Rudd Fine Wine Shop**
3/F Lee Gardens Causeway Bay, Hong Kong+852 2110 1680
Specialties: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Fine Wine, En Primeur,
Whiskey
Corney & Barrow
Unit D, 6th floor 9 Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong+852 2537 3325
Specialties: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Fine Wine, En Primeur
Farr Vintners
8/F Redana Centre 25 Yiu Wa Street Causeway Bay Hong Kongtel +852 2575 8773
Specialties: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Fine Wine, En Primeur,
Whiskey
Goedhuis & Co
Hong Kong Branch 9a On Hing Building 1 On Hing Terrace Central Hong Kong+852 2801 5999
Specialties: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone
Golden Gate Wine Co Ltd.
Suite 1006,Tai Yau Building 181 Johnston Road Wanchai, Hong Kong+852.2891.8181
Specialties: California, Oregon
Kedington Wines**
13/F, Room A, Sunrise Industrial Building 10 Hong Man St Chai Wan, Hong Kong+852 2898 9323
Specialties: Australia
Sarment
23R, 151 Hollywood Road Central, Hong Kong+852.3711.3253
Specialties: Fine Wine, private membership personal cellar
management
Summergate Fine Wines**
19/F, The Hennessy, 256 Hennessy Road Wanchai, Hong Kong+852 2545 4100
Specialties: China (France, Californai) and Macau, Hong Kong (Spain,
Australia) portfolios
Ponti Wine Cellars** (Nathan Fine Wines is Ponti’s fine wine division)
Kowloon Branch
Shop B1001, B1/F Miramar Shopping Centre 132 Nathan Road, Tsimshatsui Kowloon, Hong Kong+852 2730 1889
Central Hong Kong branch
Shop B2, B1F Alexandra House 18 Chater Road Central Hong Kong+852 2810 1000
Happy Valley branch
Ground Floor, 3 Yuen Yuen Street Happy Valley, Hong Kong+852 2972 2283
Telford Plaza branch
Shop 356, 3/F., Phase 2 Telford Plaza, Kowloon Bay Kowloon, Hong Kong+852 2997 3008
Specialties: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Fine and Rare Wine,
Germany, Italy, California
** Indicates Cantonese and Mandarin speaking sales help
Shipping Wines to China
With regards to shipping wine from Hong Kong to China, it is advisable that the wines being shipped are insured. Generally, if the wine is being shipped from Europe, Australia or the US, the first leg of the shipment will be through Hong Kong due to the low import tax and is usually insured by the seller. The second leg of the shipment to Asia needs to be insured. It is strongly advisable that one takes the following measures when shipping:
- Check the condition of the cargos immediately after they have arrived in Hong Kong to prevent concealed damage. Again, this is where insurance and doing business with reputable, established merchants comes in handy.
- Be aware of the value of the wine in terms of any discrepancies between import values versus the selling invoice value in case of any claims
- Pay attention to temperature control. It is advisable that the wines are shipped in a temperature controlled container, however if they are not then choose wisely the time of year that you have them shipped. Wine is a living, natural product and, as such, is why it can improve with age. However, when kept in inadequate conditions wine will rapidly deteriorate. Heat, light, and humidity have a direct impact on wine, and extreme temperature swings can easily spoil a wine.
- · Packing is important as a single broken bottle can lead to undermining the total value of a case due to label damage to the rest of the wines in the case. Sturdy packing helps, and wines that come in the original wooden cases (OWC) should remain in them.
As mentioned above, storage for wines is of optimal importance. In addition to heat, light, humidity and extreme temperature swings, security should also be considered. Wine Vault and Crown Cellars are still amongst the most popular reputable wine storage units in Hong Kong.
Buying Wines En Primeur in Hong Kong
Purchasing en primeur involves purchasing wine as a future: it is a method of purchasing wines early while a vintage is still in a barrel before bottling, which is conceptually similar to other consumable international commodity futures markets. As with other commodities futures, one purchases at a price which they expect to be less than the value of the product when it enters the market, and the possible advantage of buying wines en primeur is similar with that the wines may be distinctively cheaper during the en primeur period than they will be once bottled and released onto the market, as well as securing wines with limited allocations. That, however, is not guaranteed and some wines may lose value over time. Also, there are many potential pitfalls such as: the merchant going under before your contract is fulfilled, dodgy dealings, or fake goods.
Over the years, particularly recently, with the emergence of several new and important markets wine investment has evolved. And this well-noted growth has been widely broadcast amongst the international press, augmenting the aforementioned transformation. Prices have risen drastically, and there is quite a bit more at stake from an investment stand- point; thus, it is advisable that such purchases are made through a reputable company.
Award-winning service merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd and Farr Vintners, and Royal Warrant Holder merchant Corney & Barrow, are reputable companies in Hong Kong with the advantages of wines that are correct, in bond, and have provenance.