The first Australian Wine Tasting Showcase in Macau was held yesterday at Mandarin Oriental Macau hotel in Nape between 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., featuring over 25 wineries from across Australia and drawing sommeliers and oenophiles from the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Organised with the support of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), the showcase brought together wineries from South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Austrade Hong Kong Senior Business Development Manager Wilson Tang (鄧永基) told the Post that the one-day event aimed “to show that Australian wine is not only of high quality but also offers excellent value, with a wide range of tastes shaped by different climates and altitudes,” adding that this was the first time such a showcase had been held in Macau.
The wineries featured in the event included Hardys Wines, Grant Burge, and Auld Family Wines.
According to Jock Auld of Auld Family Wines, his family has been making wine in South Australia for seven generations. Based in Hong Kong, Auld distributes wines across Asia, ranging from everyday value options to premium labels. He emphasised that a common misconception was that Australian wine is only cheap. “Australians make fantastic quality wines with world-class stories and world-class heritage,” he said, adding that his objective was to surprise drinkers with quality and value rather than unexpected styles.
Meanwhile, Ronald Sit, marketing manager of HK-based Vinarchy, highlighted the sustainability efforts behind Australian winemaking. He said that vineyard management throughout the growing season was aimed to ensure quality, while natural farming practices and reduced glass bottle weight help minimise environmental impact. “Sustainability is part of everything, from crop management to packaging,” he said.
With its debut in Macau, the Australian Wine Tasting Showcase introduced both vintners and aficionados to the diversity and value of Australian wines, with the aim of underlining Macau’s growing role as a platform for international food and beverage (F&B) exchange.
Sommeliers and aficionados engage with wine sales reps during Macau’s first Australian Wine Tasting Showcase at Mandarin Oriental hotel in Nape yesterday. – Photo: Khalel Vallo
