The 18th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will take place from 5 to 7 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will bring together more than 620 exhibitors from over 25 countries and regions, showcasing wines, spirits, sake, beer, low- and no-alcohol beverages and related products from over 40 places of origin worldwide. As a one-stop sourcing platform for global buyers, the fair reinforces Hong Kong's position as an international wine and spirits trading hub.
The public zone, Saturday Fiesta, will open to wine enthusiasts aged 18 or above on the final day, offering opportunities to sample and purchase products and participate in thematic activities. Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, said the fair features a strong international lineup and demonstrates Hong Kong's dual roles of 'bringing in and going global.' She noted that Hong Kong's free-port status, world-class logistics, free flow of capital and unique position connecting the Chinese Mainland with global markets make it a strategic base for wine and spirits businesses expanding across Asia. Lam added that the recent reduction in liquor duty and growing market demand have led to an expanded World of Spirits zone this year, reflecting evolving interest in premium spirits and a broader spectrum of alcoholic beverages.
The World of Spirits zone returns with exhibitors from 16 countries and regions, including first-time participation from Mexico, Portugal, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. It showcases the world's eight major spirit categories—baijiu, whisky, vodka, rum, tequila, brandy, gin and soju—enabling buyers to discover premium spirits in one place. Among the highlights are King Barley Single Malt Whisky from Czechia, produced at the Těšitice Distillery with a heritage dating back to 1973, and Legenda Cherry Spiced Rum from Slovakia, which combines Caribbean rum with fruit and spices.
Baijiu stands out as one of the fair's strongest categories in 2026. The 'Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands,' including renowned names such as Kweichow Moutai and Yanghe, will converge at the fair. Leveraging Hong Kong's position as an international trading hub, participating baijiu producers are using the fair as a platform to develop markets overseas and accelerate baijiu's global expansion. A new interactive installation combining culture and technology will debut, showcasing the traditional craftsmanship behind baijiu and the rich knowledge contained in the classic text Jiudian. A seminar, 'Chinese Baijiu Go Global,' will bring together industry experts and brand representatives to discuss opportunities and challenges arising from overseas expansion. Among the exhibitors, Xiantan Distillery, a multiple gold medal winner at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, has introduced a 39% ABV version and 100ml mini-bottle packaging to appeal to younger consumers, with Southeast Asia and Europe identified as key target markets.
On the wine front, the fair will welcome first-time pavilions from Georgia and Italy's Calabria region. Exhibitors from major Chinese wine-producing regions, including Xinjiang, Ningxia and Xizang, will showcase their products, demonstrating the diversity and growing potential of the mainland's wine industry. Highlights include Pazhu Rigang 3675 red wine from Xizang, produced in one of the world's highest-altitude wine-growing regions, and Sundyard Private Collection Five-Star Dry Red Wine from Xinjiang.
Local Hong Kong brands will also showcase creativity, including Quadran Gin Salty Lime London Dry Gin, inspired by the Hong Kong drink 'Salted Lemon 7-Up,' and CATNIP tea gin – YUAN YANG, inspired by the city's iconic coffee-and-tea beverage. Low- and no-alcohol products such as Neon Tiger Real Fruit Soda, containing around 50% less sugar than conventional soft drinks, will also be featured.
More than 40 events will be held throughout the fair, covering industry topics and tasting experiences. Renowned wine experts, including Masters of Wine Debra Meiburg, Bill Liu and Jennifer Docherty, will host masterclasses. The 'Sommeliers' Picks' will return, with Master Sommelier Derek Li and award-winning sommeliers conducting blind tastings to create recommended lists. The fair will also emphasise cocktail culture, with a sharing session hosted by actress and wine commentator Bernice Liu alongside representatives from leading Asian bars, including Hong Kong's Bar Leone, named No. 1 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in both 2025 and 2026.
The fair's expansion and focus on baijiu's global ambitions underscore Hong Kong's role as a 'super connector' between the mainland and the world, supporting the high-quality development of the wine and spirits industry. For industry players, the event offers a critical platform to capture emerging opportunities and expand into new markets. The HKTDC promotes such international exhibitions and conferences to create business opportunities, and provides market insights through research reports and digital news channels. Full details are available on the fair website.
