Wed 1 Jun 2011
VIP Judge for the 2011 Cathay Pacific International Wine & Spirit Competition announced
The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition (HKIWSC) name Alberto Antonini as the guest VIP judge for 2011.
Antonini, Italian oenologist and winery consultant, has held senior wine maker roles for Frescobaldi and Antinori, two of the leading Italian wine making families, along with roles at E&J Gallo in the USA and Concha y Toro in Chile.
Taking over from UK wine critic Tim Atkin MW in 2010, Antonini will join chair judges Debra Meiburg MW (acclaimed wine journalist, TV personality and one of Asia’s first Masters of Wine) and Simon Tam (Christie’s Head of Wine, China) who lead the panels of Asian born and Asian based judges, flown in specially for the competition by partner Cathay Pacific.
Antonini said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to join the highly regarded Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition. The wine industry is looking closely at Asia as a growth market and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Debra Meiburg MW, competition director comments: “we’re delighted to have Alberto as our guest International VIP judge. His diverse and extensive international winemaking experience is an excellent addition to our superb team of qualified Asian judges”.
Simon Tam added: “It’s a good opportunity to get the experience of someone as well qualified as Alberto, and I look forward to judging with him”.
HKIWSC Managing Director, Allen Gibbons comments: “With Hong Kong proving to be the gateway into the Asian wine and spirits market, and Italy as the partner country for the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair, Alberto is the perfect person to join Debra and Simon as co-chairs”.
The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition, now in its third year is the largest wine and spirits competition in Asia and is organised to the highest international standards: before judging wines and spirits are stored at the world renowned Crown Wine Cellars to ensure they reach the judging panels in perfect condition, the results themselves are then checked by a team from KPMG to ensure their accuracy giving entrants complete confidence in the rigor and accuracy of the results.
This year judging takes place between 12th October and 15th October 2011 with the results announced at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (3-5th November 2011)
