Beijing Boyce

Wet your whistle at these upcoming wine events in Beijing…December 5, 7-9 PM, Aperitivo (RMB100)
Zonin tasting, with Maura Marciante of Zonin, by Torres China; RSVP with Sophie Sun (5165-5519, x208 / sophie@torres.com.cn)

December 6, 7 PM, Jasmine (RMB249)
Robert Skalli wine dinner, with ASC Fine Wines; RSVP with Dennis Zhang (6418-1598, x130 / dennis@asc-wines.com)

December 7, 7:30-9 PM, Capone’s (RMB 100)
Tommassi wine tasting, with East Meets West Fine Wines; RSVP with Alexander (alexander@emw-wines.com)

December 7, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Café - Sanlitun (RMB 100)
Sparkling wines; join the e-vite list for Sequoia’s weekly events by emailing Frank at frank.siegel@gmail.com.

Note: It’s always best to double-check the details with the event organizers.

If your taste buds need some exercise, check out some of these upcoming events in our fair city. If you’re in Shanghai, check here. (It’s always best to double-check the details with the event organizers.)

November 28, 7 PM, Loong Bar - JW Marriott (RMB150)
Taittinger Champagne tasting, by Torres, with guest Clovis Taittinger; RSVP with Sophie Sun (5165-519, x208 / sophie@torres.com.cn).

November 29, 7 PM, Aria Restaurant - China World Hotel (RMB888)
Sacred Hill wine dinner, by Jebsen, with chief winemaker Tony Bish; RSVP with Laurie Chai (8519-8693 / lauriechai@jebsen.com)

December 1, 6:30 PM, China Lounge (RMB388)
Washington State wines and contemporary Chinese cuisine, by ASC; RSVP with Dennis Zhang (6418-1598, x130 / dennis@asc-wines.com)

December 4, 7 PM, Le Quai Restaurant & Lounge (RMB508)
Cabernets of the World wine dinner, by Summergate; RSVP with Jessie Xiao (6562-5800 / jessie.xiao@summergate.com)

December 4, 7 PM, L’Isola Restaurant (RMB588)
Planeta wine dinner and launch, by East Meets West, with Francesco Planeta; RSVP with Wendy (6539-3773 / wendy@emw-wines.com).

December 6, 7 PM, Jasmine (RMB249)
Robert Skalli wine dinner, RSVP with Dennis Zhang (6418-1598, x130 / dennis@asc-wines.com)

Prepare your palates for these upcoming events on the Beijing wine circuit. No surprise, Beaujolais Nouveau is the wine du jour - yes, it’s a huge marketing gimmick, but the parties can be fun. For a change of pace, check out the Friday tasting at Sequoia Cafe (Sanlitun), which takes a break from wine this week and has four different Aussie brews for 100 kuai. (Note: The list below is based on email from wine distributors and on that’s Beijing and Beijing Talk magazines. It’s best to double-check details with the organizer.)

November 1-18, Carrefour’s Shuang Jing store (5190-9589)
Autumn wine fair

November 13, 6:30-9 PM, Prego - The Westin Hotel, Financial Street (RMB150)
Allegrini wine tasting; wines include Soave DOC, Chardonnay IGT, Pinot Grigio IGT, Merlot IGT, Bardolino DOC, Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Classico DOC, “La Grola” IGT, Amarone Classic; contact Claudia at claudia.chen@summergate.com to RSVP.

November 15, Le Bistrot Parisien (RMB45 per glass, RMB198 per bottle)
Beaujolais Nouveau festival, with French performances and a meal by Chef Patrick Pontoizeau. Call 6417-8188 for details.

November 15, 6 PM, Le Baie des Anges (free)
Beaujolais Nouveau event. Call 6657-1605 for details.

November 15, 7 PM, Pekotan Deli & Wine - Central Park, Building 12 (RMB60)
Beaujolais Nouveau launch party by Palette Vino and Pekotan; Domaine du Penlois 2007. To RSVP, call 6533-6605 or email info@palettewines.cn.

November 15, 7-9 PM, The Bookworm (Advance: RMB100, includes three glasses of wine; at the door: RMB120)
Beaujolais Nouveau tasting by Metro and The Bookworm (tickets available at both places)

November 15, 7-10 PM, Kranzler’s Restaurant & Bar - Kempinski Hotel (RMB150)
Beaujolais Nouveau party by Kranzler’s and Summergate; Georges DuBoeuf 2007; call Jessie at 6562-5800 or Mary at 6465-3388, x4105 to RSVP.

November 16, 7 PM, My Humble House (RMB1100RMB)
Vega-Sicilia wine dinner, with Proprietor Pablo Alvarez and Chief Winemaker Javier Ausas; contact Sophie at 5165-5519, x208 or sophie@torres.com.cn to RSVP.

November 16, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Cafe (RMB100, includes four bottles of beer, snacks)
Weekly Friday night tasting at Sequoia Café in Sanlitun. This week features Aussie beer: Victoria Bitter, Cascade Premium, Cascade Light and, from Tasmania, Boags. Join the e-vite list by emailing Frank at frank.siegel@gmail.com.

November 16, 6:30-8:30 PM, Bentos & Berries - Kerry Centre (free)
Beaujolais Nouveau event by Top Cellar. Go here to reserve a spot.

November 16, 7 PM, Justine’s - Jianguo Hotel (RMB688+15%)
E. Guigal wine dinner at Justine’s, with chef Raphael Miloux; contact Dennis Zhang at dennis@asc-wines.com / 6418-1598, x130 for details.

November 17, 5:30 PM, China Lounge (RMB150)
Five American wines with canapes; contact Dennis Zhang at dennis@asc-wines.com / 6418-1598, x130 for details.

November 17, 7-9:30 PM, Cafe Europa (RMB250)
Free-flow Louis Jadot Beaujolais - Villages Nouveau; appetizers by Chef Tal. Contact Dennis Zhang at dennis@asc-wines.com / 6418-1598, x130 to RSVP.

November 22, 7 PM, Capones (RMB500)
“Wines around the World”; Capones and ASC Fine Wines teams up with Chef Marco. Contact Dennis Zhang at dennis@asc-wines.com / 6418-1598, x130 to RSVP.

The Hilton holds its tenth annual Food & Wine Experience this Saturday, November 10. It’s about as must-attend as a wine event gets in Beijing. I interviewed Hilton GM Vlad Reyes and F&B Manager Philippos Arghirides about the history behind it and what we can expect this year.

Boyce: How did the first Food & Wine Experience get started and what was the response from trade and the public?

Reyes: In 1997, the only places people could enjoy good wines in Beijing were in hotels. With the strong reputation that our Louisiana restaurant had for its wine list, it was a natural event to organize. The restaurant manager started it together with all the big wine distributors in town.

It was a smashing success from day one. In fact, it was a multi-day event and several guests stayed overnight in the hotel to be able to enjoy the wines without the risk of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Boyce: What have been some of the highlights over the years?

Reyes: Every year, the event carries a theme. In the five years I have seen this grow, we have had themes such as wine and lifestyle, wine and art, and wine and jazz. The gala dinner is always the culminating event for the weekend, and leading winemakers and chefs have graced the occasion, including from Leeuwin Estates and Penfolds. This year, we will feature wine critic Jeremy Oliver.

Boyce: How many wines will be featured this year? What kind of seminars can visitors expect?

Arghirides: This year we have 193 booths, our highest number ever, plus media, food and equipment suppliers. There will be 200 brands and approximately 1,000 different wines. This makes the Hilton Beijing Food and Wine Experience the biggest wine exhibition in Beijing.

Boyce: What makes the tenth anniversary event different from other years?

Arghirides: In a nutshell, the major differences are the number and variety of products, having Australian wine guru Jeremy Oliver host wine classes and the gala dinner and having our first 10-course gala dinner paired with 10 different wines. We will also have an auction of rare wines, some which are unavailable in China and are rare finds in Asia, with the benefits going to charity.

Note: The Food & Wine Experience runs from 1-5 PM; entry is 230 kuai and includes a brunch buffet.