Grape Wine Journey

Mr. Hugh Johnson

A local English newspaper in Hong Kong, the SCMP, is launching a wine division locally.  They are partnering with Laithwaites Wine to promote their business. 

The highlight was hosting two wine tasting events in Hong Kong, targeting different market segments.  The first evening was for the consumer market and the second night for corporate clients.  The key attraction was meeting with Hugh Johnson, the famous wine writer from UK.

I was lucky to meet Hugh Johnson at the wine tasting evening in the American Club.  I was thinking to myself, what will be the first question I would ask, if I have the chance.  The 1993 Chateau Mouton was still lingering in my mind, and the question – “was the wine not ready or should we have decant the wine longer”.  After the photo session, I asked Mr. Johnson how long I should decant a Bordeaux wine.  I told him about the 1993 Mouton, and how after 2 hours it tasted very light, not the powerful Bordeaux one would expect.  He said 1993 vintage was a weak year, so the wine was already over the peak. 

My next question was how would one know how long to decant a wine.  He said patiently, any good wine after 1 hour should be able to enjoy.

On stage, Mr. Johnson expressed his feelings about wine tastings – a tasting is the moment that you should focus on the wine’s sight, smell and taste.  On the palette you should focus on the front and the back of the taste, and to remember the first sip and what remains in the mouth.

There were 6 wines for tasting, new world vs. old world.  A Chablis Premier Cru from Burgundy vs. a Chardonnay from Margaret River of Australia.  A Bordeaux vs. a Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra of Australia. 

Then the 2 wines that were the surprise of the evening – 1990 Chateau Lafite and 2007 Le Grand Hermitage.  Of the people I talked to in the room, most preferred the Hermitage.  Well, probably everyone had a high expectation on the Lafite; it was a good wine, but not worth the price tag. 

1990 Chateau Lafite & 2007 Hermitage

When I told Mr. Johnson what I thought of the 1990 Lafite, he said it is still a very good wine.  The price tag was not the fault of the Chateau; it was because of the market demand. 

Well, I was pleased to have the chance of asking more than 1 question!