Welcome to 2020, the year of the Rat! 

2019 was a full on year with not only wine related activities. It was also an emotional year for most of us. Therefore, I am glad that I could still manage to have travelled to three wine regions, all unique and inspiring in their own ways.  

The most impressed trip was the four-day  whirlwind visit to Colchagua, a sub-region of Central Valley in Chile. The organiser, Colchagua Singular, is an association of small wineries where the owners must be hands on and annual production not more than 50,000 bottles. Some of the eleven members are still finding their styles and perfecting the skills but they are all passionate. A few memorable wines were a Carignan made from an abandoned vineyard by Villalobos, a partial skin contact Semillon from a 1928 vineyard by Maturana Wines, and Zafarrancho, a blend of all leftover wine by Vinos Lugarejo. They are a far cry from the big players that dominated the Chilean wine industry. Full article here.

Although I have visited South Africa 15 times, there are always something new to discover. Bill & Co Swartland Street Market is a perfect place to explore Swartland wine under the guidance of capable Johan if you are time short to visit the wineries. This is also the hangout joint of winemakers so chances are you will be sharing a drink or two with them and learn more about their philosophy. Johan recommended me a case of assorted wines that I haven’t come across. 

The most unexpected wine region I visited was Jura, the smallest region in France sandwiched between Burgundy and Alsace. Its wines may not be as famous and its neighbours’ but they are certainly interesting with a rustic charm. Savagnin can be sparkling (Crémant), dry (fruity or oxidative style), Vin Jaune, Vin de Paille (naturally sweet wine) and Macvin du Jura (liqueur wine). A seldom known fact is that the most widely planted grape varieties in Jura are actually Chardonnay and Pinot Noir! Full article here.

2020 began with another wine trip on 1st January to Hebei and the highland of Yunnan where vineyards are located in remote areas at altitude between 2,000m and 2,800m. Watch out for Domaine Franco-Chinois and Canaan 詩百篇 from Hebei (not available in Hong Kong yet), and Xiaoling from Yunnan (available from Watson’s Wine). Will share more on these wineries in my blog. 

Drawing inspiration from these travels, I am planning wine events with a twist. Watch out for some excited South African and German parties, amongst others!