Originally, it was a very hot evening, thankfully without rain. I felt both nervous and excited about tonight. I wondered what kind of wine enthusiasts would come to our company's tasting event. I had estimated with the co-organizer, Karen Yu from Mochetto Food & Wines, that there would be around 20-30 guests. To our surprise, more than 50 people showed up in just two hours, which really caught us off guard.

 

Prior to the event, I had heard that Mr. Li Lingxiao had announced it to his group of students and friends. This evening presented a rare opportunity to experience not only German Riesling but also other different types of wine for tasting and promotion. Of course, some friends may not have tasted Riesling from vineyards on the slopes of Europe. It was evident that Mr. Li's influence was substantial.

 

That evening, I started with the Dornfleder (Red) Sekt sparkling wine, "The Night of Grape Wine and Luminescent Cups." When tasting this wine, the temperature and glassware had to be seamlessly coordinated. Otherwise, I personally felt that 50% of the effect was not fully achieved, as if something was missing. The value of this wine lies in its extremely rare origin. It is well known that European sparkling wines or champagnes are often white or rosé (a blend of red and white grapes). However, a sparkling wine made exclusively from red grapes is a rarity. In the local market, there are plenty of sparkling wines or champagnes priced between 300 and 800 Hong Kong dollars per bottle, but finding a bottle of Dornfleder sekt for just over 500 Hong Kong dollars is an absolute bargain.

 

In addition to that, our guests had the opportunity to taste five other white wines from the same region, each with its own characteristics: the elegant and diverse Riesling, the bold and vibrant Gewurztraminer, and the gentle Rivaner.

 

That evening, a beautiful guest described wines from this region as being like free-range chickens, truly different in terms of texture and flavor.

 

Lastly, the "special feature" of the evening was the highest level of German wine, TBA (Trockenbeerenauslese). This time, my TBA was a sweet wine made from Ortega grapes. Knowing that Mr. Li and his students and friends were attending, and considering the limited availability of TBA locally, I suggested to Karen Yu that we use this wine as a surprise.

 

Ortega's TBA had a deep orange amber color and a rich aroma reminiscent of peaches or tangerines. This wine should only be lightly sipped and enjoyed. It is not suitable for heavy drinking, as it would be a waste. Mochetto has limited stock, but it offers great value, so act fast!

 

Finally, I want to thank Mochetto for providing such a special venue for everyone. May the beautiful and abundant German wines and the extraordinary Mochetto leave a lasting memory in your hearts.

 

Until next time.

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​Horace Cheung