Terroir & Taste
December 2024 • Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Festival
Exploring how soil, climate, and tradition influence the unique flavor profiles of wines. This seminar, held at the annual Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Festival, delved into the concept of “terroir” and its impact on wine quality and character.
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Presented by United Spirits’ head sommelier, this seminar was a highlight of the Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Festival. Attendees learned how factors like soil composition, altitude, rainfall, and winemaking traditions shape the flavor of a wine. The session featured a comparative tasting of wines from different regions, showcasing the dramatic impact of terroir.
Key Highlights
The highlight was a “blind tasting” of three Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Chile, France, and Australia. Guests were challenged to identify the origin based on flavor and aroma alone. The sommelier also demonstrated how to read a wine label to understand its terroir. The seminar generated significant interest and was featured in several wine publications.
Featured Products
The tasting featured these wines:
- Anderra Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 - From Chile’s Colchagua Valley, known for its bold, fruit-forward style
- Corazón de Lolita Red Wine - From Spain’s Rioja region, showcasing elegance and spice
- Australian Shiraz - From Barossa Valley, featuring rich, jammy flavors
Future Initiatives
United Spirits will host a quarterly “Terroir Tour” series, focusing on different wine regions (e.g., “Burgundy & Beyond,” “Napa Valley Uncovered”). The next seminar, “The Terroir of Whiskey,” will explore how climate and water source influence whiskey production. A digital “Terroir Map” will also be launched, allowing users to explore the unique characteristics of different wine and spirit regions.