Riesling Weeks In Hong Kong

“Riesling Weeks” is a two week promotion organized by the German Wine Institute to link restaurants, wine bars and retail outlets around Hong Kong and China with a view to showcasing the quality, diversity and great taste of German Riesling. It will run in Hong Kong from May 4^th to May 19^th.

First conceived of in 2005 and originally held in four U.S. cities (Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco) it has been an instant success and the campaign has since evolved into a month long programme ’31 days of German Riesling’ with over 400 restaurants and wine shops participating.

This year will be the first year Hong Kong joins the global campaign and, like other European countries such as Demark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland will be holding a 10 to 14 day festival of Riesling. The U.S. Canada and UK will still hold the ’31 Days of German Riesling’ promotion.

During the promotion period, participating restaurants and retailers will offer diners at least three German wines, of which two should be Rieslings and the other(s) may be other German varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer etc. Each outlet may have its own interpretation of the theme including special menus wines by the glass, sample tastings, discounts etc.

You can participate and win a twin pack of Riesling wines by visiting any participating restaurant, buying a few bottles of Riesling and drinking them at home or BYO to your favorite restaurant and taking a photo of the Riesling you have tried. Just send that photo to rieslingweeks@gmail.com to enter the ‘Most Creative Riesling’ photo contest.

You can also meet the German Wine Princess 2012-2013, Ms. Natalie Henninger who will be visiting Hong Kong during the promotional period and who will make surprise visits to participating outlets and restaurants. Get photographed with Natalie and ask her all you want about German wines!

Find Riesling All Around Our Fair City From May 4th - 19th

German Riesling’s are some of the most diverse wines on the planet and are perfect matches for Asian food in general. With its versatile style, from light to intense, delicate to powerful, dry to sweet and with firm acidity the wines are especially great with local Cantonese food and Thai food. One Thai Restaurant Koh Tom Yums in Discovery Bay is participating in the promotion along with Chinese restaurants Yun Yan Sichuan Restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui and Loong Toh Yuen in Hullet House, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Other participating outlets include Amo Eno (IFC), Berliner German Bar and Restaurant (outlets around the city), Brasserie on the 8^th (Conrad Hotel), Hip Cellar Private Kitchen (North Point), La Trattoria de Parma (Kwun Tong), W’s Entrecote (Causeway Bay) and Nicholini’s (Conrad Hotel).

Look out for some stunning wines on offer during the fortnight including Prinz Von Hessen wines (Koh Tom Yums), Dr. Loosen Wines (Berliner Restaurants) and Fritz Haag Wines (Conrad Hotel). 

For more information you can go to the ‘Riesling Weeks’ webpage (follow the link and it will take you directly to the Hong Kong page and full list of participating restaurants and outlets: http://rieslingweeks.germanwines.de/icc/Internet-EN/nav/bfc/bfc255ae-a85a-d316-554d-746f135e25d9

As big lovers of German Riesling we are looking forward to May 4^th so we can get our Riesling hats on and hit the town. We hope by then that the sun will be shining, the sky a beautiful blue and the sea a little bit warmer so we can head out to the beach with some Riesling, or just unwind on the Koh Tom Yums verandah in Discovery Bay with a chilled glass of one of the best wines on offer: the Prinz Von Hessen Dachsfilet Riesling 2010 – see you in the sun!!