The 17th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, featuring over 620 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the three-day event reinforces Hong Kong's position as a regional hub for wine and spirits trade with 18 national pavilions showcasing products from Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and exhibitors from the Americas, Asia, and Europe. This expansion reflects the city's strategic importance in global beverage commerce and follows policy changes aimed at stimulating market growth.
This year's fair introduces the new "World of Spirits" zone, featuring spirits from 14 countries and regions. The zone includes six of the "Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands" such as Kweichow Moutai, Jiangsu Yanghe, Wuliangye, Luzhou Laojiao, Jiannanchun and Langjiu from Sichuan. The expansion reflects market diversification and follows the Chief Executive's announcement of reduced liquor duty in last year's Policy Address. Local Hong Kong brands are also prominently featured, including Hongjiaban Baijiu founded by actor Timmy Hung and Kowloon Distillery, Hong Kong's first local whiskey brand. This strategic focus on spirits diversification demonstrates Hong Kong's evolving role beyond traditional wine trading.
Asia's youngest Master of Wine Xing Wei joined award-winning sommeliers Carlito Chiu and Calvin Choi in a blind tasting event selecting preferred beverages across multiple categories. Their selections included Portuguese red wine PORTA da RAVESSA OLD VINEYARDS RED from Adega de Redondo, French white wine Château Plain Point from The Wine Cave Co.Ltd, and several Chinese baijiu selections from companies including Sichuan Liben Wine Co.,Ltd and Domplex Hong Kong Limited. Whisky selections featured Australian Solera Muscat Cask Single Malt Whisky from SPRING BAY DISTILLERY and Hong Kong's Kowloon Single Malt Whiskey from Kowloon Spirits Limited. These expert endorsements validate the quality and diversity of products available at the fair.
Over 40 events and conferences will be held during the fair, with half focused on spirits. Key sessions include the Originate from China • Sail to the World 2025 China Baijiu Culture International Promotion Asia Forum co-organized by the China Alcoholic Drinks Association and HKTDC. Masters of Wine Debra Meiburg, Jennifer Docherty, and Xing Wei will host various sessions covering topics from AI in wine business to regional wine discoveries. The Baijiu Experience Zone introduces different aroma types of Chinese baijiu through sensory experiences. These educational components highlight the fair's role in advancing industry knowledge and cultural exchange.
On the final day, the Wine Fiesta zone opens to ticket-holding members of the public aged 18 or above. Visitors can participate in educational sessions including Baijiu 101 Class organized by VTC, Austrian Wine and Local Sauce Pairing Workshop hosted by Debra Meiburg, and food pairing events featuring Chinese cuisine and sake. The Mixology Party will feature bartenders from bars listed in "Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025" performing cocktail demonstrations using various spirits as base ingredients. Several competitions and awards ceremonies are scheduled throughout the event, including the Cathay Global Wine and Spirits Awards Asia, Hong Kong International Mixology Showdown 2025, and the 2025 Hong Kong International Spirits Challenge Awards Ceremony. Public tickets for the Wine Fiesta are available at HK$220 at the venue or HK$128 in advance through various platforms including https://www.ctgbus.com, https://www.gobybus.hk, and https://www.klook.com. Ticket buyers receive a Lucaris crystal wine glass while supplies last. The public accessibility component underscores the event's broader cultural and economic impact beyond trade professionals.
