Everyone can be an Economist!!!

As a student, yours truly was a biological science major. At a more mature age, matters relating to micro-economics became a favourite reading subject. It is intriguing to try to look into human behaviour through the economic lens. Without diving too deeply, the various non-academic writings by the economists Steven Cheung, Steven Levitt and Tim Hartford, just to name a few, can be very interesting as well as enlightening.

Not that long ago, the sight of a shop on Kennedy Road neighbourhood with only lockers inside for hourly rental aroused strong curiosity. Who would need such facility in a purely residential area?

On a separate note, anybody passing by that part of Garden Road opposite the Peak Tram Terminal in an early weekday morning will invariably see a long queue at the entrance of a certain embassy, possibly for visa application and other purposes.

What are the dots joining the two incidents? That’s when a man was seen holding a placard in the vicinity of the embassy queue advertising the locker facility. And if one takes a look at the signage on the front door of the embassy, it becomes apparent why there is the need for lockers. The fundamental economic law of “demand and supply” is working. One might even venture to suggest (purely on the basis of supply and demand without any sympathetic consideration) the locker operator could charge higher since nobody would want to make another trip and perhaps more importantly, everyone is only a 1-time customer who will be wiser the next time. It is not a case of trying to develop repeated business.

So next time you see something that seems strange, try think what might be the economic consideration behind it😊

Anyway, back to the subject of wine…we have the following recent additions that might interest you:

2019 Domaine FL Savennieres Chamboureau (JS97 at HK$250/bottle) – From the Loire region of France and out of the Chenin Blanc grape varietal, this white is clear, fresh and giving a good nose of fruit. The palate is juicy, well-structured, balanced and with minerality, leading to an aromatic finish.

2019 Schäfer-Fröhlich Felseneck GG (WA96 at HK$520/bottle) – This dry and complex German Riesling is pure, intense, coolish and with a lemon-scented bouquet that also shows mint and crushed slate. Crystalline, saline and lush on the palate, it is a fresh, generous, salivating and impressive wine with power.

2022 Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay (WA95 at HK$320/bottle) – Excellent value proposition by our favourite New Zealand winery whose owner has just been named “2024 Winemakers’ Winemaker” by the Institute of Masters of Wine.  The wine boasts abundant fruits of lemon, peach and kiwi. The palate is not dominating at the beginning but it does build up with time in the mouth to become quite assertive.   

2009 Marojailla (RP95+ at HK$820/bottle) – Robert Parker thought this to be the best Marojailla as it offers an absolute stunning nose of violets, crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, forest floor and oak. There is good fruit, superb texture, a full-bodied mouth-feel , an extravagantly rich, concentrated palate and a lingering finish.

2012 La Conseillante (RP96 at HK$1,300/bottle) – An amazing good named Pomerol that is inky bluish/purple in colour and with stunning sweet tannins embracing a full-bodied, opulent wine showing beautiful, floral-infused black raspberry, blueberry and cassis fruit. Intense, yet elegant, this is a brilliant marriage between finesse and power. Excellent now but it will age magnificently for another 20 years.

2015 Courbis Cornas Les Eygats (WA95 at HK$630/bottle) – Northern Rhone red that is a single vineyard release, it offers sensational notes of plums, blueberries, crushed violets, pen ink and barbecue smoke in an utterly profound, decadent, layered, heavenly profile. There's ample tannin here, but they are sweet and polished, and it has an awesome finish. A wine not to be missed…

2021 Cuevas de Arom Tuca Negra (WA97 at HK$700/bottle) – Red out of Garnacha grapes from Aragon, an autonomous region in the North-East of Spain. It has freshness and elegance but also clout and power. The palate is flinty, mineral, stony and beautifully textured, with very tasty flavours. It is weightless and ethereal but with tons of inner strength. Lots of finesse and nuance. Only 403 bottles made so you may not be able to find it again!!!

2019 Fortunate Son the Dreamer Cabernet Sauvignon (WA95 at HK$1,200/bottle) – Those who love Napa red will no doubt enjoy tremendously the wines by the iconic Hundred Acre winery although there is quite a price to pay. So it is great news when owner-winemaker Jason Woodbridge came out with a more affordable stablemate named the Fortunate Son a few years ago. It is a medium to full-bodied wine with a well-balanced palate, delivering ripe black fruits, loamy earth, dried spices and a long finish.

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.