Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get our top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Header image courtesy of BGStock72 (via Shutterstock)
Originally published by Jenny Leung. Last updated by Beverly Ngai.
Keen to load up on your knowledge of wine? Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start, because when it comes to wine tasting in Hong Kong, we really are spoiled for choice. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends, or taking your first step towards becoming a connoisseur, there are plenty of ways to swot up. Here are some great options around the city.
James Suckling Wine Central is a revered name in Hong Kong’s wine scene, exclusively serving wines that have been rated 90 points or above. Backed by a curated collection of nearly 300 wines by the glass and over 500 references by the bottle from around the world—with a focus on coveted wine regions like Italy, Bordeaux, and Port—this wine and restaurant bar plays host to some of the most comprehensive wine tasting experiences in town. Sample the best of Burgundy with their Burgundy promotion or take your tastebuds on a tour around the world at their “Great Wines of the World” tasting event ($588 per person), where you can taste from a range of 55 specially selected wines!
James Suckling Wine Central, 2/F, 22 Staunton Street, Central | (+852) 2539 7999
Laying claim to Hong Kong’s largest selection of fine wines and representing over 50 prestigious wine estates, this leading wine retailer truly lives up to its name, giving visitors the fine wine experience that they came for. Apart from retail services, the shop offers a broad variety of tasting events for rare wines that help wine enthusiasts develop their palates, including masterclasses on Burgundy, blind tastings, wine luncheons and dinners, to name a few!
For the easily intimidated, a good place to start is their Thirsty Thursday series ($250), which takes place between 5 pm to 8 pm every week. Presenting a different theme each week, the tasting invites visitors to sip and savour a featured trio of wines at their own pace, with wine stewards always at the ready to share their expertise.
The Fine Wine Experience, locations across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
Looking for a plate of French nibbles to pair with your vino? Sitting quietly on Hollywood Road, La Cabane is the perfect spot for a cosy night out. Not only are they stocked up on a huge selection of wines from all over the world, but they also have the finest cheeses flown straight in from Paris. Wine tastings are held twice a month, so head on over and treat yourself to a worldly library of some of the most amazing sips around. La Cabane is a great option for private venue hiring, too.
La Cabane, B/F, 97 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 2517 0186
It’s always tough trying to find the perfect wine for a dinner party, and even tougher to find one that suits everyone’s tastes, which is why Kerry Wines is your ultimate go-to. Not only will these wine-savvy experts match you with unique wines catering to your specific needs, but they will also give you advice and tips on how to best enjoy them, such as the right serving temperatures and food pairing options. Kerry Wines also hosts regular events, including online wine masterclasses and wine tasting dinners across different locations in Hong Kong, so there’s bound to be one happening near you.
Kerry Wines, 20/F, Kerry Centre, 683 King’s Road, Quarry Bay | (+852) 2169 7700
From wine appreciation classes for beginners to Barossa Wine School master classes for pros, Vinex Wine Academy caters to everyone with an interest in vino. Not only that, but they also host a number of lifestyle workshops with music, art jamming, cooking, and more—all incorporated with wine. Classes and workshops for English speakers are available as soon as there are enough people signed up, and the number of people required varies, so grab your fellow wine-loving friends now and check out their courses, where you can learn about wines from all over the world and have loads of fun along the way.
Vinex Wine Academy, 19/F, 88 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai | (+852) 2406 0960
Marked as a leader in wine education and training, the Asia Wine Service & Education Centre (AWSEC) plays a vital role in the wine industry in Hong Kong. Its extensive portfolio of certification programmes (starting from $2,000) allows wine enthusiasts to explore and be educated on all there is to know about the good stuff. AWSEC has trained over 100,000 wine professionals and enthusiasts in Hong Kong, mainland China, and across Asia, so you know there’s no going wrong with these experts!
Asia Wine Service & Education Centre, 15/F, Kai Tak Commercial Building, 317–319 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2964 0188
Sommelier is an all-in-one service providing everything you need to become a seasoned connoisseur. From professional services for corporate clients to helping individual customers hold private events, the Sommelier team can guide you through every step of your wine journey. Aside from teaching all levels of WSET courses (starting from $2,000), Sommelier also offers a range of tasting events each month for those who want to take things slowly. Find out more about their events and courses on their website and take the first step to becoming the wine expert you have always wanted to be!
Sommelier, 3/F, Tower 1, Enterprise Square, 9 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay | (+852) 3586 9388
Covering the hottest new eats, the best places to play, offbeat takes on local culture, and so much more, Localiiz is every Hongkonger’s destination for how to live a well-rounded life in our vibrant city. Why the strange spelling? Well, Localiiz is designed to be your “local eyes”—and for that, you need two i’s.
Top