Back to School with Robert Parker Jr. – “the Magical 20”

On a cooling yet rainy morning in Hong Kong, 20 thousand glasses were placed in a big banquet hall, with 14 hundred bottles of unreleased top-quality Bordeaux wines uncorked by 45 Hong Kong sommeliers. The banquet hall was fully packed by winery representatives from all over the world, wine critics, wine sellers, buyers, educators and media. And they awaited the arrival of a very experienced wine critic, if not, the most influential wine critic for red Bordeaux in the world, to lead a tasting session where the 2009 Bordeaux vintages were first unveiled to the public. I was lucky enough to be part of it as an amateur to wine, it was a great lecture that I had. Continue reading

La Peca’s first visit to Macau

Apparently these two weeks has been quite busy for me, and undoubtedly, for a lot of food and wine reporters too. First of all, quite some guest chefs marched in to Hong Kong’s Michelin restaurants starting from October. Second of all, as the tax haven for wine in Asia, wine events are held almost every single day. With the arrival of the distinguish wine critic (or maybe a wine addict who drink 5 bottles of wine a day) Robert Parker tomorrow, I could foresee that another long week is ahead of me. Continue reading

Forum Restaurant, Hong Kong

The price of dim sum at the Forum Restaurant in Causeway Bay might be one third higher than usual, but it worths your money. The reason why I don’t really like chained Chinese restaurant is that most dim sum tasted like “instant microwaved food”. As a matter or fact, a lot of them were prepared in China, arrived Hong Kong in frozen boxes. What ended up on your table would likely be something soggy and tasteless. Continue reading

Ming Court, Hong Kong

The hairy crab season started quite a while ago, but as the supply was limited, the price hit a new record. Fortunately, the price has finally gone a bit lower, slightly more reasonable and affordable for crab lovers.

If you are bored with the traditional steamed crab, Ming Court offers you something new. Last year, Ming Court had a menu of crabs which was cooked with different wine. But this year, they have a wider selection – from crab to crab roe – for their diners. Continue reading

Palmer’s hybrid – Historical Blend Lot 20.07

With an annual production of 100 case, Palmer’s historical blend is still in its experimental period. A blend with 85% of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the classic Bordeaux blend material, and 15% of Syrah from Cote du Rhone, it sets it apart from the normal Palmer. The 20.07 Historical Blend is the 3rd experiment by Palmer. The first two happened to be 2002 and 2006 vintage respectively. Continue reading