Nov 08: Grover Zampa has once again proven that they are the Indian king of international Wine Competitions by bagging all the 9 awards at the 10th anniversary edition of Cathay Pacific HKIWSC 2018, that included 2 Silvers for La Réserve Red 2016 and Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection Red 2016 and 7 Bronzes making the total tally of medals won from 2013 till now to 129, by far the most awarded producer in India, writes Subhash Arora who is a regular judge at this competition but did not judge the flight from India and rues Grover Zampa again missed the Gold
The second largest Indian producer with wineries in Nashik and Bangalore drew a blank in the Gold department but did manage 2 Silver medals for the two reds-La Réserve Red 2016and Vijay Amritraj ReserveCollection Red 2016. Another red -Art Collection Cabernet Shiraz 2018 bagged a Bronze. Rest of the 6 medals were also Bronze and went to 5 white wines-Art Collection Chenin Blanc 2018, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Viognier 2018; La Réserve Blanc 2017 and Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection White 2017. Their Sparkling Wine Soiree Brut 2016 also bagged a Bronze.
Overall, the Art Collection Series has done pretty well again, affirming that it offers very good value-for-money wines. La Reserve has been their overall winner for a couple of decades and Vijay Amritraj Reserve Collection never misses the bull’s eye so far a medal is considered, again justifying their claim that it is truly a deluxe premier collection.
Surprisingly, there are no other awardees from India this time. It cannot be ascertained who else, if at all any, did participate in the Show though I do remember some other labels present at the ‘Taste Your Palate’ event open for public where the public is invited to taste as many wines as they can during the slot of around 3 hours.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine Challenge is the oldest and well respected wine competition in Hong Kong and was in the 10th year this year. Cav. Subhash Arora has been invited to all the editions but has attended only 9. He chose to sit out last year’s competition to give a tasting opportunity to another Indian to take part in the competition- the Competition can afford to have only one judge from India at any edition. It has only Asian judges for the competition barring a VIP invited foreign judge who was Daniel Pi, Chief Winemaker from Trapiche Argentina this year. Debra Meiburg MW is the Chairperson of the Competition and decides on the VIP judge every year.
A Total of 1706 medals were awarded-156 Golds, 970 S and 583 Bronze. There were also 15 Green Awards initiated to encourage sustainable wineries as a category. 58 judges from 13 cities including New Delhi participated in the judging process, besides the VIP Judge.
The Award Ceremony Cocktail Reception will be hosted today at Chancellor Room Foyer, 4th Floor, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on the opening day of the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair from November 8-10.
Here is the digital copy of the Award Result Magazine which many readers will find interesting: https://drive.google.com
For a few earlier competitions, visit
10th Edition of Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition kicks off in HK
HKIWSC 2016: Grover Zampa Tops again but KRSMA steals Show
Cathay Pacific HKIWSC Gains Further Strength
HKIWSC: GroverZ creates History for India with 15 Medals
HKIWSC: Silver Lining with Sparkling Soiree in Hong Kong IWSC
Go for Gold at HKIWSC Wine Competition
Four Seasons, Sula Fare Well in HK
Subhash Arora
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