Japanese Wine Is Booming in Hong Kong Right Now: Hong Kong Washu Awards Pre-Event Report!

Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has passed and people can travel freely to and from Japan, people in Hong Kong are seeking new Japanese products.
Among these, "Japanese wine" is drawing growing attention as a relatively new offering.

To raise awareness of "Japanese wine" in Hong Kong and across Asia, a wine competition called the "Hong Kong Washu Awards" will be held.

The Hong Kong Washu Awards is a wine competition hosted by The Time Sommelier Ltd., managed by the young entrepreneur Kenneth Lee, who is passionate about promoting Japanese wine in Hong Kong.

First held in 2020, 2023 marks its 4th edition. To date, many Japanese wines have entered the competition.

It takes place at the trade show for Hong Kong's food and beverage industry professionals, "Restaurant & Bar Hong Kong (RBHK)] is also cooperating, aiming for the further development of this award.

In Hong Kong, the recognition and number of Japanese restaurants across all price ranges are growing. At the same time, Japanese wine has gained recognition in the market over the past few years and is becoming increasingly noticed by buyers. The selection of Japanese wine is expanding, and it is being offered at famous restaurants and hotels.

The judges for the Hong Kong Washu Awards consist of food and beverage industry professionals active across various sectors in Hong Kong, including wine and sake judges, wine and sake journalists, importers, sommeliers, chefs, and educators.

Starting with the 4th edition in fiscal 2023, CruX Inc., the operator of this site, NIHON WINE.JP, joined as the Japan Secretariat.
We have been working to widely promote the competition to wineries across Japan and build excitement. As a result, this year achieved a record-high number of participating wineries and submitted wines.

Finally, on August 16, 2023, the judging session will be held at the CORDIS HOTEL in Hong Kong. 15 wine industry professionals will gather to evaluate 152 wines.

Then, on September 6, 2023, at the exhibition "Restaurant and Bar Hong Kong", the results announcement and award ceremony are scheduled to take place.

Which wine will win the Platinum Award, the highest honor? We can hardly wait for the results!

Naturally, we will cover the judging session, award ceremony, and more right here on NIHON WINE.JP. Stay tuned!

The 4th Hong Kong Washu Awards has become the largest in scale to date.
From Hokkaido to Kyushu, the following 42 wineries are taking on the challenge, with 152 wines entered.

In addition to direct entries from wineries, a diverse lineup has assembled through participation via local Hong Kong distributors and recommendations from CruX, the Japan Secretariat.

While we are eager to see the results, we are also curious about the reactions of the individual judges. We are excited to find out!

Ahead of this year's Hong Kong Washu Awards, our coverage team traveled to Hong Kong in early spring to conduct exclusive interviews with top active sommeliers, restaurant and retail buyers, and others interested in Japanese wine.
How do wine professionals view Japanese wine in Hong Kong, an international city where food lovers from around the world gather? We bring you their authentic perspectives.

<Part 1> Viewing time: approx. 5 mins

・Kenneth Lee: CEO, The Time Sommelier ltd.

・ReezeChoi: 3rd Place, Best Sommelier of the World Competition, Paris

<Part 2> Viewing time: approx. 5 minutes

・Mr. Alex Wai: Teppanyaki restaurant Crown Super Deluxe / Head Sommelier

・Mr. Carlito Chiu: Japanese restaurant ando  /  Head Sommelier

・Mr. Justin Ng: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong Restaurant The Aubrey  /  Head Sommelier

・Ms. Yvonne Wang: High-end supermarket City Super / Wine buyer

At the Hong Kong COEDIS Hotel, the venue for the judging session, there is a Cantonese restaurant called Ming Court.
This is a popular local restaurant that earned one star in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong 2023.

On the evening of August 16, 2023, when the judging session takes place, a dinner event to experience Japanese wine will be held at Ming Court.

It is a luxurious dinner event where guests can sample representative wines from various regions, from Hokkaido to Kyushu.
Naturally, wine pairings with the dishes have been carefully designed, and their deliciousness comes with a Michelin stamp of approval!
I also plan to give a brief talk to the guests.

Japanese wine has been enjoyed in Hong Kong before. However, it was limited to certain wines, and due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years, its presence had been fading.

However, 2023 will be the year of the first step toward building excitement for Japanese wine in the Hong Kong market!

Starting with this week's Hong Kong Washu Awards, we will actively promote Japanese wine in the Hong Kong market.
In parallel, we will take actions that drive inbound tourism, encouraging visitors coming to Japan from Hong Kong to drink Japanese wine at restaurants in Japan and visit Japanese wineries.

“Promoting Japanese wine to the world!”

Please support this Asian tour of Japanese wine starting from Hong Kong!