Where to buy affordable wines in Shenzhen/Hong Kong

[limkeith]

Hi all, I am having a short business trip to Shenzhen, travelling through Hong Kong. Anyone can tell me where to get a few bottles of nice Bordeaux or Barolo at better prices than the hk airport and australia in General?

Thanks

[JamieBahrain]

PM me if u like? I can help with Barolo and Felix probably with Bordeaux.

[tommyplussunny]

Hey ,

For Bordeaux , you could try Bordeaux etc, which has a huge selction of bordeaux wines. http://www.etcwineshops.com/about-our-s ... rdeaux-etc
Watson's wine offers a lot of options too.

Thanks.

[Boyeah]

You may also try wine buff Hk their website :www.winebuff.com.hk
cheers Boyeah

[Mahmoud Ali]

The last time I was in Hong Kong I discovered that Hong Kong had removed import taxes on wine and spirits so things were cheaper in town than they were at the Duty Free at the airport. Others would be better at recommending specific stores but I came across several stores in Tsim Tsa Shui just off Nathan Road - even a decent selection in a basement supermarket.

Have fun..................Mahmoud.

[felixp]

If you are into Barolo, there is a massive wine auction this Sunday over in HK. Gelardini and Romani, you can turn up and bid or you can register and place absentee bids. Just don't bid on the double magnum of 2007 Rocche del Falletto from Giacosa, I got that covered!!!!!!

If you know what to buy, then go to wine searcher and type it in. Do NOT buy any wine at either Etc or Watson's… they are too expensive. Etc. is simply the retail arm of Altaya wines, and sells about 20% higher than Altaya. So you can search, order, and they will deliver to your hotel.

But if you want to browse and buy retail, the "Good Wine Store" on the Kowloon side is excellent, with so much great wine available, and it is in TST, pretty close to Hung Hom railway station (which is perfect if you are coming via train from SZ). You will fell like you are in Aladdin's cave there, lucky there is a wine limit you can take home, otherwise you will have the extreme urge to go berserk on the credit card

Jamie is the expert on Italians, so I will leave that to him, but if you want to buy top-end Bordeaux, not including any 100 point wines (which are as expensive as Australia), you should be able to save 40-45% compared to Australia. So, IMO, best to buy three bottles of really high-end stuff and save the $$$$. 2009 is still a bit of a darling here, but 2010 is moving very slowly both in HK and the mainland, and there are massive bargains to be had.

I live in Shenzhen. Any French wine over $100 is likely to be fake, and the genuine ones are the same price as Australia. That being said, I had a wonderful dinner a year ago with a bottle of 2000 Petrus, which the asking price was $900, and I eventually gave him $30. hahaha. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, with uncle Xi threatening to put those types of vendors in front of a firing squad, joining the many hundreds already meeting that fate this year.
The Petrus, of course, tasted like crap, but it was great fun and the copy was scary good, perfect label etc.

[felixp]

BTW, if you want to join the 2010 St Henri craze, there is plenty of it in HK, for around the $70-80 mark. You can even get it in SZ, for the same price as both the 09 and 07 St Henri!!!!!!! (oh, but that is around $185 )

[limkeith]

Thanks all people, I think I am staying in Shenzhen. Is wine in china much more expensive than hong kong?

[JamieBahrain]

Yes it is.

The real bargains are buying direct from Europe and having tax removed and sending to HKG. I've just bought 50 cases of Barbaresco off a small producer and shipped to HKG to distribute amongst friends at 30% less than local prices!

[JamieBahrain]

Felix on to Giacosa now? I'm impressed.

You in town this week? I can get your Zaltos to you via my helper possibly.

[Seven]

Yes Watson's and etc can be very expensive but occasionally you can find some good bargains especially during discount promotion.

Recently just picked up a couple of Phillippe Charlopin Parizot Chambertin 2010 at less than $1700hkd, which is a reasonable price i believe.

[felixp]

Felix on to Giacosa now? I'm impressed.

You in town this week? I can get your Zaltos to you via my helper possibly.

hahaha, well, I gotta get it first!!! Will be cellared in Australia for 20+ years, maybe crack it for my 75th!! Had some Giacosa the other night at a tasting, now, for a man who has had great trouble liking Italian wines, THAT was an epiphany
I am in town Friday night for a dinner, let me know if i can pick them up and the $$$, thanks muchley!! Going to the Haut Bailly v Pape Clement dinner, any chance you going?

Hey, any time you need to further "distribute" any of your Italian stuff, happy to help off load a few bottles!!

Limkeith, if you absolutely must buy wine in Shenzhen then I suggest emailing wineskeeper on Shennan Blvd. They have the best prices in SZ and pretty good Bordeaux selection!!

[JamieBahrain]

felix

I'm in town at the China Club ( central ) if about 2mrw. Friday I doubt I will be in town but let you know if plans change.

[felixp]

Hi Jamie,
was in HK today, because tomorrow's dinner postponed until January (when I will be in Oz anyway ) Picked up a sensational deal on some 04 Montrose and Cos to drink back here in Shenzhen… got 6 bottles thru Lohu, three of each, for only average of $115 per. However, the AUD is crashing, so it is better for me to think of my purchases in terms of RMB, which is what I make anyway
so you buying some 05 Bordeaux?… haha, crossing over to the dark side? If you are, you can get the 05 d'Issan dirt cheap, and it is a stupendous wine to drink, but not to invest in. If you want investment, 05 l'Eglise Clinet is the bomb, but also very $$$$$$$$… however, rest assured, the price will go up and up and up., given how good the wine actually is

[felixp]

oh, I just realised you meant today!!! darn it!!!
no prob, we will eventually cross paths. How good is the China Club!!!!! best yum cha in the world, including over at the four seasons…..