The 18th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Running for three days from 5 to 7 November, the fair brings together more than 620 exhibitors from over 25 countries and regions, showcasing wines, spirits and beverages from more than 40 origins worldwide. The event underscores Hong Kong's position as an international trading hub for the wine and spirits industry and highlights the evolving diversity of global beverage markets.
This year's fair features a strong international presence, with returning exhibitors from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and Australia, alongside newcomers from Latin American countries such as Argentina, Mexico and Peru. Georgia, Romania, Slovakia and Uruguay are participating for the first time, while Calabria in Southern Italy and Brazil make their debuts as participating pavilions. The expanded World of Spirits zone brings together spirits exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, covering the world's eight major spirits categories, including whisky, vodka, tequila, soju, rum, gin and Chinese baijiu.
Chinese baijiu takes centre stage, with the "Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands", including Moutai and Yanghe, exhibiting at the fair. A new Baijiu Cultural Display Area combines culture, technology and interactive experiences to showcase baijiu production processes and the history of Chinese alcoholic drinks. The "Chinese Baijiu Go Global" seminar, held today, attracted significant industry participation and facilitated discussions on international development strategies, reflecting the growing focus on globalising Chinese baijiu. Emerging Chinese wines from regions such as Xinjiang and Ningxia are also leveraging Hong Kong's platform to reach overseas markets, with tasting sessions allowing international buyers to experience their quality first-hand.
The fair also features a growing number of local brands that blend traditional distilling techniques with unique Hong Kong flavours, such as Quadran Gin Salty Lime London Dry Gin and CATNIP tea gin, demonstrating the creativity of the city's young enterprises. Additionally, a range of distinctive beers and alcohol-free beverages are on offer to meet growing demand for diverse drinking experiences, including innovative twin-format craft beer from Wales and alcohol-free fermented beverages from Korea.
More than 40 events are taking place, including tasting sessions, forums and networking activities. The popular Sommelier's Picks programme returns, featuring recommendations selected through blind tastings by Master Sommelier Derek Li and award-winning sommeliers Carlito Chiu and Anty Fung. For the first time, the two sommeliers will host a dedicated sharing session on the public day. Four internationally renowned Masters of Wine are hosting multiple key events, including masterclasses and a wine industry conference exploring the evolving influence of wine ratings.
The final day, 7 November, will see the Saturday Fiesta zone open to the public aged 18 or above, offering an opportunity to sample fine wines and spirits from around the world. Regular admission is priced at HK$220 per ticket, with promotional tickets available at HK$128 until 6pm on 6 November. The public day will also feature FIGARO AFTER HOURS, a cocktail and Cantopop-themed party combining DJ performances with cocktail culture.
The fair's strong international line-up and expanded spirits zone demonstrate Hong Kong's role as a gateway connecting global products with buyers from around the world. According to the HKTDC, the event also supports related sectors such as auctions, retail, catering, warehousing and logistics, and professional services, reinforcing the city's position as a "superconnector" and "super value-adder". For more information on HKTDC's international exhibitions and conferences, visit the council's website. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
