Asking for support? But we must do our part too!!!

Readers do not need being reminded of the difficult situation the F&B industry is facing more recently. Travelling north across the border to shop and dine has become quite a phenomenon. Enjoying the lower prices is just one reason as it has also to do with the better product and perhaps even more importantly, the better services which is hardly the norm in Hong Kong for some time. Many wonder what the government can do to help and whether the landlords might be more considerate. Of utmost importance is perhaps for all those involved in the F&B business to improve on service attitude, be innovative and quality conscious on products to have any chance of winning back customers.

While we are on the subject, yours truly always feel heartening when coming across small owner operated establishments that serve good food with great service attitude, examples being this restaurant having a rustic/nostalgic setting in Sheung Wan, the little burger shop near our office/showroom and one eatery in Wanchai run by an Indonesian lady who has made Hong Kong her home since some 20 years ago. Big corporations take every venture as just another money-making opportunity. For small entrepreneurs, the consequence of failure can be devastating. It takes a lot of courage and hard work to overcome all sorts of challenges just to survive. These small businesses are the ones we all must support.

Now back to the subject of wine, we have some recent additions that might interest you:

NV Dhondt-Grellet Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs les Terres Fines disgorged 2019 (WA95 at HK$680/bottle) – Wafting from the glass with aromas of honeyed orchard fruits, freshly baked bread and frangipane, this medium to full-bodied champagne has a fleshy, satiny and seamless palate that is precise, penetrating and beautifully integrated.

2021 Donum Estate Goldfield Reserve Chardonnay (JS97 at HK$950/bottle) – This Sonoma white is different in that part of the wine underwent fermentation with the grape skin for 2 weeks, thereby adding slightly more tannin and phenolic on top of the typical palate of apple, peach and white pepper, all leading to a creamy, intense finish. An excellent wine and will be appreciated especially by those who like whites with texture, volume and depth.

2018 Domaine Bernard Moreau Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot (VN93-95 at HK$1,450/bottle) – Elegant and refined Burgundy white from a good named producer, it is fresh on the entry with fine acidity and conveying a sense of athleticism, ending with poise and a long, slightly saline finish.

2014 Domaine de l'Arlot NSG 1er Cru Clos des Forêts Saint Georges (WA93 at HK$850/bottle) – A reasonably priced Burgundy red offering the nose of blackberry, raspberry, tangerine and a touch of peach. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh, lively and with good density.

2012 Larcis Ducasse (RP95 at HK$550/bottle) – We are re-stocking this excellent value Bordeaux red that offers such a rich nose of black raspberries, black cherries, currants and licorice. The palate is full-bodied, almost thunderous, with good texture, richness and length. A star of the vintage!!!

2015 Pierre Henri Morel CNDP Lieu Dit Pignan (WA95 at HK$550/bottle) – This Rhone red is 100% out of the Grenache grape varietal. It reveals a beguiling nose of red raspberries, garrigue, baking spices and dusty earth. It is full-bodied, plush but also amazingly fresh, with concentration and intensity that powers into a mocha and caramel-tinged finish.

2013 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco Ovello (WA95 at HK$480/bottle) – This Italian red underwent an extra year of oak aging followed by 18 months of bottle rest before release. It is beautiful, elegant and  has our favourite expression of Barbaresco as it offers purity and finesse over flavours of wild berries, smoke, ash and balsam herbs. Only 6,000 bottles were made.

2015 De Martino La Aguada Carignin (WA95 at HK$180/bottle) – Single vineyard red out of old vines, this wine is nothing short of spectacular, with a complex nose intermixing aromas of smoked bacon, wild flowers and berries, earth and tree bark in a combination of power and elegance. The palate reveals strong minerality and serious tannins which should have softened at this stage. It is one of the finest from Chile.

2013 Spottwoode Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (RP99+ at HK$980/bottle) – We are very lucky to be able to offer this great Napa red at such an attractive price. It is deep garnet in colour and exudes pure black truffles on the nose, with a core of black cherries, warm blackcurrants and plum reserves slowly unfurling, together with hints of eucalyptus, char and new leather. Medium-bodied but not without intensity, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and a long truffle laced finish. A wine not to be missed!!!

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to go to our website www.vinopolis.com.hk to browse the full wine list. Purchases can be made through the website or by sending us an e-mail or simply WhatsApp 9195-7383.