The VPA welcomes 132 new members into the Academy this year, all of whom attended the annual workshops and successfully passed the examinations. This fifth running of VPA workshops were conduced in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and for the first time in Macau.
The examination consisted of multiple choice questions plus a tie-break written question in which the candidate had to persuade a fine wine collector friend to include Vintage Port in his collection. The best answers were those that added a personal touch rather than merely stating the facts:
James Teng, Hakkasan, Shanghai, “… A wine that is age-worthy, a living wine that is ever-evolving in its bottle which just gets better and better as it is aged…. And very importantly, a wine as old as you that you can enjoy on your 90th birthday!”.
Jin Bin, Jubilant Nova Wine Culture Development, Beijing, “…. But what is the most important thing, you will see the beauty of time changing in a vintage port…. You don’t have to learn to appreciate vintage port under pressure, because you already love it when you drink it.”
Silven Wong, MGM Macau, “Well my friend, little needs to be said and let the port itself tell you what it is worth…. At the end of the day, as a true wine connoisseur, you do want your cellar to look great, don’t you? Now, jump on board the train of fine vintage port and show others your fine taste in great wines by a good vintage port selection!”
Vincent Chue, FoFo by el Willy, Hong Kong, “A gift for the current/next/next next generation …. An excuse to tell your wife to buy a nice ‘hoggit’…. You drink vintage port and don’t need to order desserts, coz this is the best dessert!!!”
Congratulations to all new members, who each received a VPA diploma and a VPA pin.
Vintage Port Decanting Challenge, Macau
Eight two-person teams from hotels and restaurants competed in the first ever Vintage Port Decanting Challenge held at the IFT Restaurant in Macau. One team member watched a professional demonstration on how to decant a vintage port properly in a closed room, and then he had to instruct his teammate how to decant a bottle of vintage port in front of judges and audience. The decanted wine was judged according to clarity, wastage and speed. After careful evaluation, the prize went to Nuno Miguel Gomes and Erlito Sogelio Penido from Hard Rock Hotel, who received a unique VPA vintage case. All contestants were awarded a certificate and a VPA cork puller.
Aged Tawnies Media Workshop, Shanghai
10 selected media members were invited to take part in this journey of aged tawnies, in which Euan and Nick explained the different styles of wood-aged ports. Guests then tasted and compared the evolution of 10, 20, 30 and 40 year old aged tawnies, followed by two single harvest tawnies, Graham’s 1969 and Taylor’s 1964. Discussions were lively with each guest having his own preference.
The Vintage Port Academy Trade Tasting, Hong Kong
Over 100 guests from the trade attended this VPA tasting, where 12 vintage ports from the six members of the Academy—Croft, Dow’s, Fonseca, Graham’s Taylor’s and Warre’s—were presented alongside the Graham’s Single Harvest 1969 and Taylor’s Single Harvest 1964. Euan and Nick mingled among the guests who were going back and forth to find their favourites. Now in its fifth year, this annual VPA trade tasting has become one of the pillar events in the Hong Kong wine trade calendar.
The Vintage Port Academy Alumni Celebration, Hong Kong
To celebrate its fifth anniversary, VPA invited all its alumni, numbering 449 including the 2014 graduates in Greater China, to a late night gathering at Mayta Peruvian Restaurant in Hong Kong. Four ports were selected to pair with four typical dishes: Dow’s 10 YO tawny with deep fried pork belly steamed bun, Taylor’s 20 YO tawny with lamb empanada, Taylor’s LBV 2009 with Wagyu beef anticucho, and Graham’s Vintage 2000 with braised veal. The pairings won applause from both guests and chef. There was also a quiz to win an all expenses paid, five-day trip to Porto and the Douro. Chan Ka-wo, who was also a top scoring student in the 2010 VPA workshop, was the lucky winner, answering all the questions correctly. Well done and congratulations Ka-wo!
To see photos of each event, click here.