Japanese Wine Featured at Hong Kong Food & Beverage Industry Trade Show! RESTAURANT and BAR HONG KONG Report!!

RESTAURANT & BAR HONG KONG 2023 is a major trade show where members of Hong Kong's food and beverage industry gather.
Held at Hong Kong's largest convention center,the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,the event took place over three days from September 5 to 7.

More than 200 booths showcased attractive ingredients, alcoholic beverages, drinks, and various intermediate and capital goods from around the world, providing a hub for industry professionals to exchange information.
This year's attendancereached a total of 9,161 visitors over the three days,drawing to a close as a resounding success.

NIHON WINE.JP set up a booth to promote Japanese wine together with its Hong Kong partner, The Time Sommelier.
The booth welcomed 250 to 300 visitors each day.
We received many knowledgeable questions about Japanese wine from staff at Michelin-starred restaurants, hotels, and wine industry professionals, making it a three-day event that truly conveyed the high level of local interest.

In response to various questions such as "I'd like to try Muscat Bailey A," "Do you have wines from Hokkaido?" and "Aren't there a lot of typhoons there?", the staff explained Japanese wine using a panel featuring a map of Japan.

On the third day of the exhibition, a Japanese wine seminar was held featuring three speakers: Reeze Choi, who placed third in the 17th A.S.I. Contest of the Best Sommelier of the World in Paris, France; Kenneth Lee of The Time Sommelier, which also organizes the Hong Kong Washu Awards; and NORIZO, director of the Japanese wine documentary film "Vin Japonais" and editor-in-chief of this media platform.

Given their deep knowledge of Japanese wine, the seminar was already fully booked in advance. By the start time, a waiting list line had formed, and the crowd was so large that people were standing outside the venue to watch.

During the seminar, explanations focused mainly on Hokkaido Pinot Noir, Nagano Merlot, and Yamanashi Koshu. Mr. Choi also gave a detailed presentation on Japanese wine, noting that even in rain-heavy producing regions beyond these—such as Hiroshima and Miyazaki in Kyushu—an increasing number of wineries are gaining attention, and highlighting grape varieties resilient to such climates.

Mr. Lee remarked, "Now is an extremely exciting time for Japanese wine drinkers because the quality has risen and the wines have become truly delicious," emphasizing that each wine possesses its own unique character and highlighting the passionate producers behind them.

Mr. NORIZO's explanation that "the true hallmark of Japanese wine lies in its vast diversity across a wide variety of grape cultivars" piqued the audience's interest to try even more wines. After the seminar, participants and spectators alike headed straight to the Japanese wine booth, filling it with vibrant energy.

On the second day, the announcement of judging results and award ceremony for the "Hong Kong Washu Awards" took place.
Divided into Sake and Japanese Wine categories, the ceremony presented commemorative trophies for the highest honor, the "Platinum Award."

In the Japanese Wine category, a special guest appeared on behalf of wineries unable to attend in Hong Kong.
World-famous "Wagakki Band" shamisen player Beni Ninagawa gave a speech about the advancement of Japanese wine in Hong Kong and enlivened the venue. Fans who happened to be present were thrilled by the moment.

For detailed information on the Hong Kong Washu Awards, please see this article.

While the exhibition was a huge success, next year "Cafe" will join Restaurant & Bar to expand even further as RBHK2024 “RESTAURANT&BAR&CAFFE HONG KONG2024,” scheduled for September 3–5.
We certainly can't take our eyes off the evolving Hong Kong market.
The day when Japanese wine is cherished and enjoyed in even more venues across Hong Kong is right around the corner!!