The 18th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opened this week at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, underlining the city’s role as a trading gateway for wines and spirits with clear backing from the Hong Kong government.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the three-day event (5–7 November) brings together more than 620 exhibitors from over 25 countries and regions, presenting wines, spirits and other beverages from more than 40 origins. While smaller than major international shows such as Vinexpo or ProWein, the fair has a notably formal atmosphere and appears to attract a highly engaged trade audience focused on sourcing and business discussions.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau attended the opening reception alongside HKTDC Associate Executive Director Smilely Lam, officiating at the launch. Their presence reflects the government’s continued emphasis on Hong Kong as a “superconnector” and trading hub for the sector, supporting both international companies accessing Asian markets and Chinese producers looking outward.
Guiseppe Minissale from Sword promoting Tollana in Hong Kong
The show promotes two trade days followed by a consumer day on Saturday 7 November. The “Saturday Fiesta” zone opens to the public aged 18 and over, offering sampling, themed activities and the chance to buy.
International participation remains broad. Returning exhibitors come from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and Australia, with new or expanded involvement from Latin American countries including Argentina, Mexico and Peru. Georgia, Romania, Slovakia and Uruguay are taking part for the first time, while Calabria in southern Italy and Brazil are debuting as pavilions. HKTDC also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Calabria wine region during the fair.
The expanded World of Spirits zone features exhibitors from 17 countries and regions covering the world’s eight major spirit categories. Highlights include Australia’s Ironbark Red Whisky, DNA Distillery, Ester Distilling, Goodradigbee Distillers, Inspirited Distillers and Thirteenth Botanical. Local Hong Kong producers are also present, among them Quadran Gin Salty Lime London Dry Gin (inspired by the classic “Salted Lemon 7-Up”) and N.I.P.’s CATNIP tea gin – YUAN YANG.
As you might expect, Chinese baijiu receives particular attention. The “Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands”, including Moutai and Yanghe, are exhibiting, and a new Baijiu Cultural Display Area combines culture, technology and interactive elements to present production processes and a digital version of the historical text Jiudian. A “Chinese Baijiu Go Global” seminar examined internationalisation strategies. Parallel tasting sessions are also highlighting wines from Chinese regions such as Xinjiang and Ningxia.
Drinks Trade recently visited Luzhou Laojiao and a close, in-depth look at this fascinating category will be in the Summer edition of Drinks Trade.
There are over 40 events at this year’s exhbition including Master Sommelier Derek Li and sommeliers Carlito Chiu and Anty Fung conducting blind tastings for the returning Sommelier’s Picks across categories including red and white wine, sake and rice wine, whisky, Chinese baijiu and other spirits. Selected recommendations include Australian labels such as B Farm Estate Sparkling Shiraz, Kurtz Family Vineyards Boundary Row GSM and Ironbark Smoked Whisky, alongside wines from Czechia, Georgia, France and China. Li and Chiu will host a public sharing session on Saturday. Four Masters of Wine: Bill Liu, Debra Meiburg, Xing Wei and Jennifer Docherty, are also leading masterclasses and seminars.
Often described as the New York of the East, Hong Kong has a lively and celebrated bar industry, including two-time World Bar of the Year, Bar Leone. Fitting that the Hong Kong International Mixology Showdown finals are held at this event with the help of actress and wine commentator Bernice Liu.
The combination of government endorsement, a focused international exhibitor base and a formal yet engaged trade environment positions the fair as a practical platform for buyers seeking connections into both Chinese and wider Asian markets, rather than a pure volume-driven showcase.
