By Jim Boyce | Do ye seek good-value wine events in Beijing? Then read on because a group of boutique distributors will team up on Sunday to offer prices not even hotels and restaurants get. Even better, the money goes to charity.
The 3rd annual Mystery Wine Party will feature 50 wines, from 10 nations, that retail for rmb150 to rmb1500. All will be sold at a mere rmb100 per bottle. That’s it: rmb100 lets you pick one of 50 gift-wrapped bottles to discover what’s inside. It’s like a boozy Christmas morning. Except during the afternoon of Sunday, November 26, at Q Bar.
Along with wine, the party includes pizzas from Gung Ho, brownies from Bread of Life, a screening of wine videos, music by DJ Peter Stone, and prizes like Champagne and corkscrews in the Beanbag Ice Bucket Challenge. Plus, if past years are any indication, you’ll be sharing wine with fellow imbibers and making a bunch of friends.
Sound good? See details about the wines below and use the QR code in the poster to register, pay and reserve your bottle. (Note: The organizers CANNOT guarantee bottles for walk-ins. To ensure you get one, it’s best to use the QR code to register.)
And what wines can you expect? Every importer will supply five wines worth at least rmb150 per bottle. Here are a few examples:
Hélène Ponty of Le Ponty is donating “Chateau Grand Renouil 2007.” It’s a 100- percent Merlot from the smallest AOC in Bordeaux. Made by Hélène’s father from 80-year-old vines, with only 8,000 bottles per year, it was chosen for the celebration party of French president Emmanuel Macron in Bordeaux. (Retail: rmb528)
Mike Signorelli of Signature Wine Club is donating “Bull’s Blood” from Hungary. It’s the most popular wine with his subscribers, he says, and named for its deep ruby colour. It has black cherry, cassis and plum characteristics as well as complex aromas from its extended oak aging. (Retail: rmb575)
Edouard Simon of Seina Grower Champagne. is donating five bottles, including a unique Bloody Rosé Champagne that you can’t get anywhere else in Beijing. (To be frank, you can’t get any Champagne anywhere for rmb100.)
There will also be bottles from Le Sommelier, La Cava de Laoma, The Wine Republic, Le Wine, 1421. and Australian Natural.
My blog Grape Wall of China will source a few top Chinese wines, including “Pretty Pony” Cabernet-Merlot from Fang “Crazy” Wang at Kanaan in Ningxia. It’s fresh, rich and fruity, with accolades from critics here and abroad. Giddy up! (Retail: rmb300).
All revenue from the wine, food and games will go to Maovember and this year’s charity partners, Bread of Life and The Library Project. To register, use the QR Code on the poster. To learn more about Maovember, including its other events, see the official website or email nihao (at) maovember.com.
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