Top spirits at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2016

As the international drinks industry gears up for the seventh edition of Vinexpo Hong Kong next week, we assess what’s in store for spirits brands.

Spirits are now of “paramount importance” to Vinexpo Hong Kong

Vinexpo: whether in Hong Kong, Bordeaux, Tokyo or the Americas, the event has long been earmarked as an unmissable trade show in the wine and spirits industry calendar. This year, from 24-26 May, the show’s Hong Kong edition will take place at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, featuring the widest range of wines and spirits ever showcased in Asia.

More than 17,000 buyers, importers, sommeliers, distributors and retailers are expected to attend the event, which will attract more than 1,300 exhibitors from 35 producing countries. As well as networking, visitors will have the chance to refine their tasting knowledge at the Vinexpo Academy; a programme of conferences, masterclasses and discussions led by field experts.

To encourage trade interaction and networking, the show is also launching One to Wine Meetings, which will enable tailor-made appointments between exhibitors and visiting trade. For the first time since its launch in 1998, Vinexpo Hong Kong will feature a ‘Country of Honour’, which this year is Italy. Italian producers will benefit from a central location within the exhibition, while a series of tastings and talks will shed some insight on the country’s wine and spirits. Vinexpo’s after-work party, ‘The Blend’, on 25 May will be hosted under the ‘Aperitivo Italiano’ theme.

In addition, The Drinks Business Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Bartenders Association will host The Spirits Bar, a one-stop cocktail shop boasting first class training sessions and flairing performances.

“Spirits are of paramount importance to Vinexpo, as the trend for cocktails and spirits bars is growing worldwide,” says Guillaume Deglise, Vinexpo CEO. “The millennial generation is a key target for producers and distributors. Vinexpo is the ideal place to get to understand the opportunities and challenges that will drive the business of spirits in a near future.”

He continues: “Behind baijiu, China’s national spirit, all categories are growing in Asia Pacific. Vinexpo’s ambition is to support this growth and be the mirror of the market for professionals.”

Turn to the following pages to view highlights from some of the spirits brands exhibiting at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2016.

Cognac Frapin

Stand: Level 3; N-20

Focusing on the prestige end of the Cognac spectrum, Frapin will showcase two expressions at the show – Frapin VIP XO and Frapin Extra. With a new decanter design, Frapin VIP XO is a blend of “very old brandies”, some of which are the oldest reserves belonging to the Frapin family. The expression is described as having a “complex” aroma with “subtle woody” notes and a flavour of chocolate, dried fruit, and gingerbread.

Frapin Extra, a 100 % Grande Champagne premier cru Cognac, has been exclusively harvested, distilled and aged in barrels kept by Pierre Frapin and his descendants. It is said to have an aroma of old Port mixed with the scent of wooden cigar boxes and a smooth, rich and luxurious taste.

WHAT THEY SAY: “China, Hong Kong and Asia to some extent are major Cognac markets where we are present, so this show gives us the opportunity to showcase new releases to our distributors and meet prospective new partners.”

La Martiniquaise-Bardinet Group

Stand: Level 3; N-64

French spirits producer La Martiniquaise-Bardinet Group will return to Vinexpo Hong Kong in 2016 to showcase its million case-selling Scotch whisky brands Label 5 and Sir Edward’s.

The group will also seek to educate visitors on its Speyside single malt Scotch Glen Moray and Poliakov Vodka, one of the world’s best-selling vodka brands.

In a bid to capitalise on “real potential” for Label 5 in Asia, La Martiniquaise-Bardinet Group will host a dedicated area highlighting premium brand extension Label 5 Gold Heritage – a blend of various whiskies including malts that have been aged for more than 20 years.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Asia is obviously an important area for the La Martiniquaise – Bardinet Group, and Vinexpo Hong Kong will allow our area managers to meet up with their clients in a qualitative and inviting environment, as well as find new importers who are interested in our very large one-stop-shop approach range.”

Quintessential Brands

Stand: Level 3; QR-33

A newcomer to Vinexpo Hong Kong, Quintessential Brands will exhibit the entirety of its fast-growing spirits range as part of a “major focus” on expanding the firm’s footprint in Asia.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience Greenall’s London Dry Gin and Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin, which was recently revealed to be the world’s fastest-growing super-premium gin brand. Quintessential’s new range of Irish whiskeys, namely The Dublin Liberties and The Dubliner, will also feature at the show, accompanied by a collection of French Alize products that spans vodka, Cognac and fruit liqueurs.

Quintessential has endeavoured to build its international business by investing in the Asia Pacific region and recently appointed Jon Band and his company Gap Drinks to help introduce the firm’s brands to the region and lead new product development.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Our Asia expansion is a major focus for our business and this show gives us the opportunity to connect with new potential distributors across the region and welcome our existing brand partners.”

A. de Fussigny Cognac

Stand: Level 3; R-34

This year marks A. de Fussigny Cognac’s debut at Vinexpo Hong Kong, where showcasing the house’s namesake luxury brand will be a “top priority”. In addition, the company will highlight its premium label Louis Jolliet Cognac and value brand Voltaire Cognac, giving visitors an insight into its clear ladder of products.

A. de Fussigny believes its Grande and Petite Champagne expressions, which are produced at a 200-year-old distillery based on the Charente riverside, offer a “unique value proposition”.

In recent years the brand has focused its energies on Western markets, but now views Asia Pacific as a region that has “tremendous growth opportunities”, particularly as the Chinese market starts to improve.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Southeast Asia [is] a land of opportunity for our company and Vinexpo Hong Kong is a crossroad that reels in most of the core importers and wholesalers from the region.”

Hine Cognac

Stand: Level 3; Q-30

Having shipped its first bottle to Hong Kong in 1947, Hine Cognac will continue its long-standing relationship with the “key city” by exhibiting its core range of products at the upcoming Vinexpo show.

In addition to Hine’s Rare VSOP and Antique XO Premier Cru, the house’s Early Landed and Jarnac Matured vintages will be displayed. The taste of H by Hine VSOP Cognac will be showcased in a number of different cocktails, in addition to a new bottle design for the expression.

Following the launch of the single estate, single vintage Domaines Hine Bonneuil 2005, Hine will give guests a preview of a new 2006 edition that uses grapes exclusively sourced from the house’s 70 hectares of vineyards in the prime Grande Champagne enclave of Bonneuil.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Fast-moving, wine-oriented and cocktail-trendsetting Hong Kong is a key city for us. Vinexpo Hong Kong is an ideal way to meet our partners and customers in the region while being in an inspiring environment.”

RnR Brew

Stand: Level 3; R-48

Co-exhibiting with Amber Beverage Group, RnR Brew will showcase its Queen Drinks range, which celebrates the music of iconic rock band Queen.

RnR Brew worked closely with Queen band members themselves to create a range of three drinks commemorating the 40th anniversary of hit single Killer Queen, all of which will be exhibited at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2016.

An homage to the choice drink of late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, Killer Queen Vodka is made from 100% EU wheat that has been distilled seven times and filtered four times, creating “exceptional smoothness”. Queen Bohemian Rhapsody is a pilsner beer that holds GI status in the EU, while Queen Millionaire Waltz Malbec celebrates the band’s stadium concerts in Argentina.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Amber Beverage Group and RnR Brew constantly seek growth opportunities for its brands in new markets. Thus we see Vinexpo Hong Kong as a great opportunity to expand our footprint in Asia via new business partners.”

Tovaritch! Premium Vodka

Stand: Level 3, P-63

A returning exhibitor at Vinexpo Hong Kong, Russian brand Tovaritch! Premium Vodka will educate visitors on its award-winning marketing campaign, Never Drink Alone.

The brand’s stand will also introduce its Red Russian liqueur – an infusion of wild berries and Tovaritch! Premium Vodka that was designed to create “trend-setting” cocktails. In addition, Tovaritch! will present a new design for 750ml bottles of its core expression.

The brand has witnessed a “very strong” performance in UAE, Oman and Vietnam, with a “growing” presence in China and Australia, and now seeks expansion on Japan and Korea.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Vinexpo Hong Kong is the luxury hub for the wine and spirits trade and is the perfect gateway to Asian markets.”

Spiridom

Stand: Level 3; P-47

Spiridom will use Vinexpo Hong Kong as a platform to debut its range of recently acquired rum brands from Saint Lucia, including Chairman’s Reserve and Admiral Rodney.

The group will also display the entire ranges of its agricole rum brands Rhum Clément and Rhum J.M, both from the Caribbean island of Martinique. A pioneer in the agricole category, the roots of Rhum Clément date back to 1887, while the origins of the single estate J.M Distillery can be traced to the late 17th century.

Asia accounts for a “small” proportion of Spiridom’s market share, but the company has “high expectations” for super-premium rums in the market as consumer demand is “growing fast”.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Vinexpo Hong Kong is a unique opportunity for us to meet in one place most of our regional distributors and make many new contacts for our brands.”