How to send greetings, or just say “thank you”

During every festival, big or small (and there are more than ten of them every year), or around your birthday, are you overwhelmed with well wishes coming in via WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook and other forms of social media? In most cases, these are emojis or pictures downloaded somewhere. Not wanting to be perceived as rude, you would click back “thank you” or in the case of festivals, search the web to find a picture of similar nature, perhaps even copy and paste one you just received from another friend and send it out. The whole thing becomes more of a formality than genuine caring. And it makes one wonder: what’s in there with all such hassle other than showing you are still alive by responding? And may be that’s the main purpose!!!

What about using a card or writing paper? Old fashioned? Perhaps, but there is nothing wrong when it comes to sending out greetings, and even more so when it comes to express your gratitude after receiving something. One must not overlook the medium which can be as important as the message. And it is much better to be in your own handwriting, or at least signing it personally, preferably with a pen. A card or letter with good design and in high quality paper would reflect not only good taste but also well meaning, suggesting the sender making an effort to show appreciation. In this modern age, many will think the matter tedious, perhaps even bringing in the environmental angle against it. As a compromise, you may choose not to do so to everybody. We all love receiving handwritten letters or cards, especially now all that coming into our mailbox are bills and promotional junk. You will be surprised how it could deepen a relationship.

Going back to the subject of our favourite beverage…just when the market seemed to be building some momentum, all could be coming to a halt now that the US is announcing extra tariff on goods coming out of eight EU countries who oppose its intention to take over the ownership of Greenland. Will the list be expanded in due course to cover more countries? The producer side certainly won’t welcome the news. For consumers outside of the US, is it an opportunity to enjoy wines by paying less?  What does it mean to the market value of one’s inventory holding? Time will tell. As a humble small wine merchant, we will just continue with providing great service. Below are some of our latest additions which we hope you will find interesting:

2018 Delamotte Vintage Blanc de Blancs (WS95 at HK$550/bottle) – We are re-stocking this great value Champagne, the sibling of the legendary Salon but at not even 10% of the price!!! Elegant with grace and effortless precision, there are flavours of apple, plum, vanilla, brioche and oyster shell in the palate, ending with a creamy and mineral driven finish.

2009 Malartic Lagraviere Blanc (WA95 at HK$480/bottle) – Anybody looking for a good Bordeaux white of value must not miss this one which is a 80/20 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Aromatically complex, this is  a serious wine boasting notes of lemon and lime marmalade intermixed with honeysuckle, a whiff of freshly cut grass and a waxy, melony character.

2023 Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay (JS95 at HK$320/bottle) – By a highly revered New Zealand producer of excellent Chardonnays, the 2023 Coddington Chardonnay is sleek and polished. There is tightly coiled acidity wrapping around the flavours of kiwi fruit, almond, white peach, citrus, green papaya and a taste of slaty elements. As the wine gradually opens, it gravitates towards precision, volume, texture and hints of cinnamon creaminess.

2009 La Lagune (RP95 at HK$580/bottle) – This Bordeaux estate has been consistently surpassed expectation with the 2009 vintage one of its best. The wine boasts a dense purple colour as well as a beautiful perfume of blueberries, mulberries, cassis, white chocolate and subtle toasty oak. Notes of Chinese black tea, cedarwood and forest floor also make an appearance in its flavour profile. This sumptuous, full-bodied La Lagune possesses low acidity, abundant but ripe, sweet tannin and a long, 45-second finish.

2018 Lagrange St-Julien (WA95 at HK$400/bottle) – Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, this Bordeaux red explodes from the glass with bombastic notes of crème de cassis, chocolate-covered cherries and baked red and black plums with suggestions of rose oil, cedar chest and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic vibrancy for the ripeness, packed with juicy black fruits and compelling tension with a finely grained texture to support, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

2012 Ausone (RP96+ at HK$3,400/bottle) – Undoubtedly one of the two top St-Emilion estates (the other being Cheval Blanc), and when can you find their post-1995 wines at this price level? Inky purple in color, with notes of crushed rocks, spring flowers and blueberry and black raspberry, the wine grows on the palate, offering up amazing concentration. Pure, rich, full-bodied but with no heaviness, it is a prime candidate as the wine of the vintage. Not to be missed by any serious wine lover!!!

2016 Raymond Usseglio CNDP Cuvee Imperiale (WA95 at HK$320/bottle) – Almost entirely Grenache out of 100+ years old vines, this Rhone red is a stunner. Scents of roses, black tea and raspberries set the scene, while the palate is full-bodied but silky and nearly weightless, delivering an intricate, detailed interplay of red fruit, dried spices and orange zest. Despite what must be 15% alcohol or more, it shows absolutely no sign of heat or heaviness.

2016 Clos Mogador Com Tu (WA94-96 at HK$400/bottle) – A relatively new project by the excellent Clos Mogador and this is the second vintage, with only 5,300 bottles filled. It is 100% Garnacha (Grenache in Spanish) with a nose revealing subtle notes of raspberry leaf and wild cherries. The palate is lively with good acidity and freshness. Definitely a wine to watch…

2020 Moric Lutzmannsburg Blaufränkisch Ried Schwemmer (WA95 at HK$580/bottle) – Part of our effort to introduce things that are not main-stream in Hong Kong, we are putting forward this red from Austria out of the Blaufränkisch grape varietal. The wine offers a deep, very intense and complex nose, with darker, super concentrated fruit aromas intermingled with blood orange notes and hints of iron and iodine. Silky, round and very elegant on the palate, this is an intense, saline and elegant, perfectly balanced wine with a pure, saline finish that reveals very fine tannins and mineral, refreshing acidity. 

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.  And best wishes to you all for 2026!!!