Cecilia Wong takes us through the wines and spirits we should be drinking to help make our dark winter nights that little bit brighter.
Winter is a time of celebration when people come together with family and loved ones to mark the festivities, or just have a casual gathering with friends.
In
the drinks business Asia Winter Tasting 2024, we have done the work for you to find out the best drinks for festive occasions, from value-for-money red wines to pour at your festive dinners to spirits and cream liqueurs to elevate your dessert plates.
We have 11 entries across the red wine, American whiskey, and cream liqueur categories, showcasing diverse styles from all over the world, including Spain, Chile, the United States, and The Netherlands. All entries were blind tasted by a panel of expert judges.
The competition resulted in one Master award, four Golds, five Silvers, and one Bronze. The judging panel was made up of: Cecilia Wong, co-chair of the drinks business Asia Masters; Nick Chan, chief executive officer, Enoteca Hong Kong; and Derek Li, founder of DeVine.
Triple filtration
The Master award went to Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 905 under the American Whiskey – Bourbon category (price range HK$700-HK$750).
It’s a single-barrel whiskey that undergoes a triple-filtration process, distilled, aged, and bottled at barrel strength in Tennessee with an ABV of 61%.
All three judges agreed that the whiskey was rounded, balanced, and complex. Mahogany in colour, it has rich aromas of vanilla, caramelised nuts, salted caramel, dried fruit, dark chocolate, ginger, and sweet spices.
“The nose is complex and balanced,” said Li. “The palate has different layers of characters with great structure. It’s well integrated with, oak and has a long finish. I like it the most of the whiskeys being tasted today.”
Of the four Gold awards, two medals went to wines. One was awarded to La Purisima Monastrell 2023, from Spain’s D.O. Yecla, in the red unoaked category (price range under HK$100). Made from 100% Monastrell grapes, the wine exhibited “blackberries, dark fruit and sweet spice notes”.
Chan said: “The fruit is delicious. It’s well balanced with good acidity. It’s good value for money. The finish is quite long, considering the wine is under HK$100.”
The second Gold award went to another expression from the same winery – La Purisima’s Old Vines Expression 2021. This oaked red, coming in at under HK$100, is made using a blend of 85% Monastrell, 10% Syrah, and 5% Garnacha, with “well integrated oak, black plum, red fruit, chocolate, herbal and earthy notes”. All three judges agreed on its great value for money, and said it was a good choice to enjoy in winter.
Two spirits also achieved Gold medals in this year’s Winter Tasting. One went to Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey in the American Whiskey – Tennessee category (price range HK$450-HK$500). The whiskey exhibited “deep gold colour, honey, coconut, popcorn, baked apple, and sweet spice notes”.
Wong said: “It’s smooth and rounded, well integrated with oak, showcasing the signature Tennessee style, with a medium finish. It’s easy to drink, and a nice choice to pair with dessert.”
The final Gold award went to Mango Carabao Rum Cream Liqueur Concept, from The Netherlands, under the cream liqueur category, with “mango cream colour, not too sweet or cloying, with mango pudding, mango and creamy notes”. All of the judges found the notes of this liqueur to be Asian and tropical, and said how much they liked the pleasant mango taste. dba
Wine
| Name of wine |
Winery |
Region |
Country |
Vint. |
Medal |
| Red Unoaked |
| Under HK$100 |
| Filarmonía Msm |
Cooperativa Del Vino de Yecla La Purisima |
D.O. Yecla |
Spain |
2023 |
Gold |
| La Purisima Monastrell |
Cooperativa Del Vino de Yecla La Purisima |
D.O. Yecla |
Spain |
2023 |
Silver |
| Red Oaked |
| Under HK$100 |
| La Purisima Old Vines Expression |
Cooperativa Del Vino de Yecla La Purisima |
D.O. Yecla |
Spain |
2021 |
Gold |
| Consentido Monastrell Barrica |
Cooperativa Del Vino de Yecla La Purisima |
D.O. Yecla |
Spain |
2022 |
Silver |
| La Purisima Premium |
Cooperativa Del Vino de Yecla La Purisima |
D.O. Yecla |
Spain |
2020 |
Bronze |
| HK$150-HK$200 |
| Aoyo Surpass Dark Gold R6 Red Wine |
Aoyo Wines |
Colchagua Valley |
Chile |
2019 |
Silver |
Spirits
| Company |
Product name |
Medal |
| American Whiskey - Tennessee HKS450-HK$500 |
| Nearest Green Distillery |
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey |
Gold |
| American Whiskey - Bourbon HK$400-HK$450 |
| Nearest Green Distillery |
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey |
Silver |
| American Whiskey Bourbon HKS700-HKS750 |
| Nearest Green Distillery |
Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey - Batch 905 |
Master |
| Cream Liqueur |
| Creamy Creation |
Mango Carabao Rum Cream Liqueur Concept |
Gold |
| Creamy Creation |
Salty Egg Yolk Winter Spice Liqueur Concept |
Silver |
