Raise your glass this November as Hong Kong reclaims its role at the world’s crossroads for wine and spirits. From 6 to 8 November, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) hosts the 17th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair – a three-day celebration featuring acclaimed labels, legacy brands, and emerging talents, alongside guided tastings, expert-led masterclasses, market insights, and cross-industry networking for professionals across the trade.
Tailored for the trade but open to curious drinkers, the programme leads attendees from discovery to informed decisions through a focused and dynamic lineup. Continue reading for the standout sessions, featured exhibitors, and essential experiences.
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Uncorking Diversity: A Global Tasting Experience
As one of Asia’s leading trade events, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council again gathers hundreds of international exhibitors to present a world-spanning spectrum of wines and spirits – spotlighting Hong Kong’s position as a key regional hub for the beverage trade.
‘World of Spirits’ Zone
Established houses share the floor with forward-leaning producers, yielding a range that is wide yet tightly considered. The ‘World of Spirits’ zone draws the eye, with more than ten countries – including China, Ireland, Russia, and Australia – pouring their best. A dedicated focus on Chinese Baijiu brings in icons such as Guizhou Maotai and Luzhou Laojiao, shown alongside local spirits that reflect Hong Kong’s character.
Lo/No & ‘Friends of Wine’ Zone
New this year is a prominent showcase of low and no-alcohol options, reflecting a turn toward mindful drinking. Alongside, the ‘Friends of Wine’ zone offers an inviting spread of snacks and small plates selected to work with what’s in the glass. To round it out, the fair covers wine education, investment briefings, accessories, and equipment – delivering a comprehensive one-stop platform for the trade and engaged drinkers.
Elevating Expertise: Masterclasses, Tastings, & More
Beyond the exhibits, the fair functions as a purpose-built forum for knowledge-sharing, discovery, and professional growth. Masters of Wine – alongside leading industry figures such as Debra Meiburg MW and Xing Wei MW – will present masterclasses and seminars, giving visitors a clear path to deepen their understanding of the trade. Designed to raise the bar, these sessions – together with tastings – showcase a considered line-up of drinks, from structured reds and taut whites to sake, distinctive spirits, and baijiu.
‘Connoisseur’s Picks’
Back on the programme, ‘Connoisseur’s Picks’ presents wines and spirits identified through blind tastings by a panel featuring Mr Carlito Chiu (Andō), Dr Calvin Choi (Chairman, Hong Kong Wine Judges Association), and Master of Wine Mr Xing Wei. Working from anonymised flights and consensus scoring, the judges identify bottles showing varietal clarity, balance, and technical finesse – with notes on value, cellaring potential, and by-the-glass suitability – yielding a trade-ready reference for purchasing, list building, and seasonal placements.
Trade Meets Taste
Across the first two days, access is reserved for accredited trade buyers, creating a focused environment for meetings, sourcing, and concrete deals. On the final day, the public is welcomed into a dedicated purchasing area with pop-up tastings, pairing demos, and discovery trails designed for clear, informed choices. Supplemented by additional seminars and guided flights, 8 November brings the world’s cellars within easy reach of the city.
With attendance topping 8,200 trade buyers from 61 countries and 10,000+ public visitors last year, the Wine & Spirits Fair strengthens its position as Asia’s go-to platform for the sector. Taste widely, compare closely, and tap sessions that turn insight into next steps – from storied producers to new-school distillers. This November, take your place at the pour and discover why the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair 2025 sits at the top tier of Asia’s beverage calendar.
This post is in partnership with HKTDC.
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
