Bronze artefact sells for US$37.2 million

During China’s Shang Dynasty, the production of elaborate and beautiful bronze vessels was perfected and elevated to an art form. Unique shapes and detailed motifs characterise these guangs (ritual vessels) used for ancestral worship or special banquets. The allure of these regal receptacles remains stronger than ever. For evidence of their timeless appeal, look no further than from the late Shang Dynasty (13th-11th centuries BC), which sold for US$37.2 million during the auction house’s Asian Art Week. Not only was the price more than four times its pre-auction estimate, but it also set a new auction record for an archaic bronze piece.

The vessel is decorated with taotie (monster masks) – a characteristic design of the period in which a face is split down the centre, creating two profiles. It also features a number of mythical birds and kui dragons, some of which are curiously adorned with elephant trunks or hooked beaks. This fang zun-style vessel was just one of the highlights of Christie’s ‘Important Chinese Art from the Fujita Museum’ auction in New York. Another item, a rare bronze ritual wine vessel in the shape of a ram – also from the late Shang Dynasty – sold for a none-too-shabby US$27.1 million. The elaborately engraved ram is decorated with kui dragons, a taotie mask, crested birds and crouching tigers – a truly majestic sight.

The reasoning behind a push of wine and spirits into the Far East is compelling

Vinexpo is a big deal. The annual wine and spirit trade fair alternates between Bordeaux and Hong Kong and has industry movers and shakers licking their lips in anticipation when the event rolls around. It’s widely acknowledged as Asia’s principal wine and spirit expo.

It’s Bordeaux’s turn this year, with the trade-only show taking place in June. A significant number of buyers from Greater China typically attend. With this in mind, Vinexpo’s CEO, Guillaume Deglise, visits Hong Kong just ahead of the main event to promote it. He brings with him the findings of the benchmark study of the global wine and spirits market.

This bit of educated crystal ball gazing is commissioned annually by Vinexpo from International Wine & Spirits Research (IWSR) and is regarded in the trade as the most reliable source of wine and spirits market data and analysis. The study has been produced by the IWSR for 15 straight years, and has generally turned out to be impressively accurate.

The picture that emerges this year is one of increasing dependence on Asia Pacific markets for growth, and particularly on China. According to the IWSR, global consumption of still and sparkling wines will increase by just 1.9 percent between 2016 and 2020.

The sad truth is that while Asians and Americans appear to be getting thirstier, Europe – the continent to which we owe our wine culture – is cutting down on consumption. The biggest old-world producers of fine and not-so-fine wines are all facing contraction in their domestic markets.
“It is not a surprise that Europe is losing market share,” said Deglise. “It has been happening for years now. Growth in the wine business is coming from Asia and the Americas.”

Although 64 percent of all still wine produced globally is currently consumed in Europe, by 2020 the IWSR forecasts a fall to 59 percent. France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Spain are all expected to experience a decline in wine sales and consumption, or at best, for their markets to remain flat.
It’s a similar story for spirits. Between 2016 and 2020, Asia Pacific is expected to increase its spirits consumption by 51.7 million 9-litre cases. Europe, Russia and the former Soviet Union states are all expected to consume significantly less.

Text: Robin Lynam

8 ways to treat a special lady this Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a time to show the most important woman in your life that you appreciate all the sweat and toil she went through to get you where you are today. Let’s be honest, mothers are as close to a superhero as you can get. All that’s missing is the cape.

So this Sunday, show your mother that you really care by taking her out for a delicious meal, buying her a nice piece of jewellery or pampering her at a spa.

We have compiled a list of things to help you treat such a special lady this Mother’s Day.

Brunch at Gaucho

Gaucho’s new head chef has created a menu that is sure to delight even the pickiest of mothers. Located in the heart of Central and well-known for its steaks, the Argentinian restaurant is offering an all-you-can-eat and drink Veuve Clicquot brunch during the day (HK$600), and an exclusive 3-course dinner in the evening (HK$425).

The daytime brunch includes 2-hour free-flow champagne and delicious dishes such as empanadas, ceviches and different cuts of prime beef. Mothers who prefer nighttime drinking and eating can enjoy a 3-course meal including salmon tiradito, shrimp causita, lomo (fillet) and other Argentinian specials. The meal is finished off with dulce de leche cheesecake.

Food with a view at CÉ LA VI

If you want to treat your mum by taking her to a venue for brunch with stunning views over Hong Kong, then CÉ LA VI’s Moments with Mum brunch (HK$488) is the perfect choice. The brunch is on every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 3pm during May and the food has been prepared by Executive Chef Kun Young Pak.

The menu has a Korean flavour with chilled seafood and salad followed by hot platters like tempura and Korean-style creamy prawns. Main dishes include the crunchy and succulent short rib lettuce wrap and Korean-style fried chicken and waffles. Ladies will also be presented with a complimentary de-stressing gift pack.

Gifts from Bally

Bally, the Swiss luxury fashion company, has a number of presents for the mum who is young at heart. The Edelweiss Capsule collection is crafted from calf leather and mums can choose from a tote bag, backpack, mini-cross body bag, clutch and wallet. The collection is available in petal and marine colours.

Beautify with Jurlique

Beauty conscious mothers will love the gifts from Jurlique. The Australian cosmetics brand offers a hand care set to treat, nurture and restore moisture, leaving hands beautifully soft, smooth and healthy with lasting hydration. Mothers can also indulge themselves from head-to-toe with the rose hydration cream that is included in the hand and body kit.

Satisfy a sweet tooth at Ms B’s Cakery

For mothers with a sweet tooth, Ms B’s Cakery has five delicious cakes, as well as a range of unique gifts. The five cakes – Garden Rose, the Baby, the True Love, the Heart of Hearts and the Lilac Dream – are sure to bring a smile to any mother’s face. The Garden Rose (1,000g, HK$1,800) is a French vanilla chiffon sponge cake along with peaches and cream and a chocolate corn crunch, topped with sugar-art roses and sweet peas. Ms B’s Cakery is also offering gift boxes, which include handcrafted chocolates, silk flowers and an oversized edible “rock”.

Celebrate with Roger Dubuis

Roger Dubuis is helping you celebrate Mother’s Day with two of its collections: Excalibur and Velvet. The Excalibur 36mm Automatic features a white alligator strap fitted on a fully paved dial. It has been designed with an assortment of diamonds and comes with a white gold case and folding buckle. The Excalibur Essential 36 Automatic has sparkling gems and a blue PVD-coated dial with a sun-brushed finish. The watch features a 22-carat pink gold rotor, visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case-back and black DLC-treated titanium case topped by a bezel set with 48 blue sapphires.

Indulge at the Mandarin Spa

Show your mum you really care with a rejuvenating facial at The Mandarin Spa that helps to thicken the skin and improve collagen and elastin. The non-invasive facial uses Environ skincare products to expose the skin to high levels of vitamin A, antioxidants and peptides. The vitamin-based treatment counteracts the harmful effects of the environment, pollution and stress for radiant, visibly improved skin. Until 14 May, mothers and daughters who book the 90-minute facial (HK$2,200 on weekdays and HK$2,300 on weekends) will receive a complimentary Environ eye gel.

Larry Jewelry dazzles

Larry Jewelry has released a dazzling new ring just in time for Mother’s Day. The Precious Heart ring boasts a heart-shaped emerald in the centre weighing 2.89 carats, and also features an additional 2.3 carats of marquise-shaped, pear-shaped and round brilliant diamonds. It is just one of the items designed for Larry Jewelry’s Precious Heart collection, which features unique heart-shaped gemstones paired with a variety of diamonds in elegant and enchanting designs.

Text: Andrew Scott

Ain’t it Grande: The world’s most lavish cognac

Cognac has long been considered one of the more refined spirits, enjoyed by emperors and kings and coveted by noblemen and women alike. It might not, therefore, come as a complete shock to learn that the world’s most expensive cognac will set you back a right royal US$1,982,300 per 100cl bottle. Best sipped not sculled. This most decadent of drops is the Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande Champagne and has been dubbed in some quarters as ‘the DNA’ of cognacs. Produced since 1776, this ultra-fine liquor is aged in barrels for more than 100 years. While the cognac itself is undoubtedly lavish, a good deal of the expense is also in the bottle that holds this veritable nectar of the gods.

The bottle is dipped in 24-carat yellow gold and sterling platinum and decorated with no less than 6,500 certified brilliant-cut diamonds. Weighing in at 8 kilograms, the bejewelled bottle is the brainchild of world renowned jeweller Jose Davalos. Named in honour of French King Henri IV – whose descendants are responsible to this day for producing this fine cognac – this spirit is composed of carefully selected grape varieties grown exclusively in the Cognac region. The Henri Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande Champagne has an alcohol content of 41 percent – although given the price-tag, there’s probably not much chance of anyone getting sozzled on it anytime soon.

Lasting Legacy: Ex-director of The Macallan on the world’s most valuable whisky

Sotheby’s recently held an auction in Hong Kong where the Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection – a set of six crystal decanters containing the rarest of The Macallan’s single malts aged from 50 to 65 years old – sold for US$993,000 (HK$7.7 million).

David Cox, who recently retired as director of fine and rare whiskies for The Macallan, flew into Hong Kong for the ‘Finest & Rarest Wines and The Macallan’ auction.

David, who worked in the scotch whisky industry for 35 years, played a lead role in the development of The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series.

We spoke to David after the auction about the Six Pillars, brand identity and how The Macallan is received in Hong Kong and China.

How did The Macallan establish such a strong brand identity?

Before The Macallan was marketed as a brand in the 1980s, the product had long been admired and sought after by blenders as a ‘top dressing’ single malt. It was also popular among a small number of consumers who enjoyed its distinctive rich, full-flavoured character, much of which owed to The Macallan’s use of sherry casks from Spain for maturation.

Since that time, what was something of a cult-like following by a few has turned into an ever-growing loyalty by many around the globe. This is down to the merits of The Macallan’s product reaching a wider audience through active engagement with trades and consumers. This engagement is grounded in some product truths – the Six Pillars – which have been consistently talked about and understood by trades and consumers. Consistency has therefore been critically important, which is based on a great appreciation of outstanding and distinctive product quality.

Have you tweaked the brand at all for the China and Hong Kong markets?

We maintain the prestige and luxury positioning for all markets across the world. It is arguably the most precious whisky in the world, substantiated by the multiple world records of ‘The Most Expensive Whisky Ever Sold In Auction’ by The Macallan 64 Years in Lalique Cire Perdue Decanter and The Macallan Imperiale 6L M-Decanter Constantine.

How’s The Macallan received in China and Hong Kong?

The Macallan is received exceptionally well across Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. The consumers are basically professional, upper income and high net-worth individuals. The brand also has a good following among younger consumer groups, which is a visible trend in Asia among single malts.

The younger consumers are more open in terms of trying new categories of drinks, single malts among the many they are experimenting with. They collect, collate, categorise, compare and conclude which ones they prefer and for what occasions.

What’s the biggest challenge for The Macallan in this region?

Supply has always been an issue.The challenge is to always stay vigilant, always aim to be better and to always put consumers at heart. We always remind ourselves to stay close to our customers, be relevant to consumers and be aware of any changes in the market.

What is The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars collection?

It is a celebration in crystal decanters filled with some of The Macallan’s oldest and rarest whiskies – the oldest was filled to cask in April 1945.

The Macallan’s Six Pillars are six facets of The Macallan which, when taken together, help explain the distinctive, rich character of the whisky.

What exactly did you do in your lead role in the development of The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series?

I was introduced to Lalique back in 2004, and at the time my plan was to develop a series of decanters in crystal to celebrate the six pillars, releasing one every other year, making this a 12-year project.

I was immediately struck by the extraordinary artistic legacy of Lalique and felt they would not only deliver an outstanding series of unique crystal decanters, but that we also shared many values which would ensure a partnership of understanding and longevity. I am delighted to say this proved to be the case.

You were in Hong Kong for the auction at Sotheby’s. How did it go?

The result exceeded our expectations. The combination of The Macallan’s unrivalled reputation in single malt whisky, allied to Lalique’s artistic inspiration, helped to ensure that the Legacy Collection, the only complete collection of Six Pillars decanters ever released by The Macallan, achieved a world record hammer price for a single lot at auction. Most satisfying of all, though, is the proceeds will be divided equally among five charities.

The Hong Kong charities are:

Society for the Community Organization, which supports disadvantaged people in Hong Kong.
Food Link Foundation, which specialises in coordinating food needs for disadvantaged families in Hong Kong.
Crossroads Foundation, which supports disadvantaged people in Hong Kong, specifically helping unemployed people who lack the required skill sets between jobs.

The regional charities are:

Watsi, which provides support to those in need of medical and surgical support and works globally and regionally.
One Sky Foundation, which supports orphans in Asia-Pacific.

Each of the five charities will receive a 20 percent donation of the net proceeds. The first three charities are based in Hong Kong and the last two work in Asia-Pacific, so Hong Kong charities will share 60 percent and Asia-Pacific charities will share 40 percent of the net proceeds.

In 2015, The Macallan was the most valuable whisky brand at auction, why do you think that was?

The Macallan has been the most valuable whisky brand at auction ever since the first whisky auctions were held in Scotland in the late 1980s. I think it derives from a combination of our great reputation, a track record of high prices and ever increasing value and, in the case of some Macallan products at auction, of scarcity.

Text: Andrew Scott

From grape to glass: Jackson Family Wines masterclass highlights American wine

Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay may very well be the grapes most commonly grown in the United States, but they are not the only varieties to be found in vineyards. Although pinot noir has earned a reputation as the world’s “most fickle grape,” according to sommelier Michael Jordan, some wineries in the West are taking up the challenge of producing delicious and well-balanced pinot noirs.

The United States is the fourth largest wine producer in the world, but internationally its wine-producing regions are less famous than France’s Bordeaux or Argentina’s Mendoza. Jordan, director of global key accounts for Jackson Family Wines, wants to change that and help put California and Oregon on the map as globally-recognised wine regions in their own right.

The family-operated Jackson Family Wines owns 55 wineries in North and South America, France, Italy, South Africa and Australia. In the US alone, it operates about three dozen wineries in California and Oregon.

At a recent masterclass held in Hong Kong’s Conrad Hotel, Jordan discussed the key differences between California and Oregon wines, as well as the conditions that make the regions so suitable for wine grape cultivation.

Pinot noir made from Oregon grapes tends to be fresher than its “fruitier, jammier” cousin in California, Jordan said. However, it’s more intensely fruity than Burgundy wines.

Oregon pinots also tend to be more acidic than California wines, and they fall somewhere in between Burgundy and California wines on both the tannin and richness scales.

“We’re not trying to make Burgundy wine. We’re trying to make Oregon wine,” Jordan said. “I think it’s been pigeon-holed and compared for so many years to New Zealand or Burgundy or to someplace else that we’ve lost track of the identity and characteristics of true Oregon pinot noir.”

The company’s latest vintage to hit store shelves is the Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton 2014. Derived from the Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Oregon’s Willamette Valley – a region designated for grape cultivation – the wine features flavours of cranberry, rose hips, orange zest, Meyer lemon, morel mushroom, red cedar and spices. According to the winery, 2014 will long be considered “one of the best vintages ever for the Willamette Valley,” thanks to favourable weather conditions that year.

The masterclass featured a guided tasting of eight different offerings from Jackson Family Wines – four from California, and four from Oregon.

Jordan, who has an extensive background in the restaurant business, previously served as the global manager of wine for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide, and he has been named ‘Sommelier of the Year’ by multiple organisations throughout the years.

Text: Emily Petsko

Spring Sale: 7 stunning pieces from Sotheby’s auction

Among collectors, Sotheby’s spring auction in Hong Kong is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. This year was particularly significant because it was the first time Western contemporary art was offered at the evening sale, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The five-day event raked in a grand total of HK$3.17 billion.

Sotheby’s President and CEO Tad Smith said of the auction’s success: “Outstanding results in our traditional categories of Chinese ceramics and paintings were joined by records across a range of collecting fields including western contemporary art and jewellery, affirming Hong Kong as an anchor of the global art market.”

Here are some of the most remarkable items sold at the spring auction.

Mao by Andy Warhol

Mao is an iconic painting of an iconic leader, rendered by an equally iconic artist in his own right – American pop art pioneer Andy Warhol. It’s little wonder, then, that all eyes were on Mao at the spring auction. A private Asian collector bought the piece for HK$98.5 million, setting a record for any Western contemporary artwork ever sold at auction in Asia. The painting was expected to fetch HK$115 million.

The painting was created in 1973, a year after the historic moment when US President Nixon visited China and Chairman Mao.

Lush Mountains in Misty Gleam by Zhang Daqian

In the Fine Chinese Paintings category, Lush Mountains in Misty Gleam by late Chinese artist Zhang Daqian was the top seller, going for more than HK$31 million. Painted in 1967, the medium is splashed ink and colour on gold paper. The artist’s distinctive splashed-colour style (pocai) can be partly attributed to eye problems he experienced later in his career when his eyesight started deteriorating.

Fancy intense blue diamond ring

Another record setter in its respective category, this fancy intense blue diamond ring was snapped up for HK$37.2 million. The ring, set in white gold, boasts an emerald-cut, 3.13-carat blue diamond flanked by two step-cut diamonds and an oval band encrusted with circular-cut diamonds.

Dry-Lacquer Head of Avalokitesvara, Tang Dynasty

This sculpture of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, an important Buddhist figure, went for HK$21.7 million. This extremely rare item was made using a dry-lacquer technique during the High Tang period, likely during the reign of Emperor Xuanzang (712-756). This particular piece is in near-pristine condition.

Explosion 64-1, Shimamoto Shozo

This colourfully chaotic oil on canvas painting by late Japanese artist Shimamoto Shozo sold for HK$20.5 million. The painting was created in 1964 using the artist’s signature ‘bottle crash’ method, in which glass bottles filled with paint are hurled at large canvases. As said best by the artist himself: “Even if my method seems shocking and violent – crushing bottles and shooting cannons at the canvas … I’m just working on creating beauty.”

Xuande Fish Pond lobed bowl

This fine china set a new auction record for early Ming porcelain when it sold for HK$229 million. It’s safe to bet that the buyer probably won’t be using it to serve up fried noodles. The tranquil scene depicts four fish swimming past lotus flowers: a carp, mandarin fish and two kinds of bream, all set in a beautiful cobalt blue.

The Macallan in Lalique – The Legacy Collection

For whisky collectors, The Lalique Legacy Collection is highly coveted. The collection features a set of six crystal decanters filled with The Macallan’s rarest single malts, aged 50 to 65 years old, plus six rare miniature bottles and six pairs of Lalique Macallan glasses. This exclusive, limited edition collection went for HK$7.7 million, setting a record for any lot of whisky ever sold at auction.

Text: Emily Petsko

What to eat, see and do at Taste of Hong Kong

Gourmands drooling in anticipation will once again descend on Central Harbourfront to sample new ingredients and drink new wines, spirits, beers and champagne at this year’s Taste of Hong Kong.

Following its successful inaugural event last year, Taste returns 25 percent bigger with 10 Michelin stars in its line-up.

Hong Kongers will sample dishes made by some of the city’s best restaurants – from Japanese to French, Cantonese and Italian.

We have picked some of the best things to see, do and, of course, eat at this year’s Taste of Hong Kong.

Live cooking demonstrations

There is more to Taste than just turning up and eating mountains of delicious food. Guests who would like to learn more about the food they’ve just shovelled down their throats can pick up tips and tricks from chefs Richard Ekkebus of Amber, Shane Osborn of Arcane, Max Levy of Okra, Aaron Gillespie of 22 Ships, Lee Man Sing of Mott 32 and more.

Taste Theatre will hold 24 sessions where visitors can learn secret cooking techniques and hear directly from chefs and tastemakers.

Champagne tasting

For some people, a good drink is key to enjoying a good meal. The Laurent Perrier Champagne Bar will serve chilled La Cuvée and discerning foodies will also be able to enjoy a unique gourmet journey to discover how to perfectly pair each wine with signature dishes from Taste restaurants.

Eat your dream

Foodies can create their dream menu from more than 50 dishes of signature tasting plates and iconic one-off festival creations made by Hong Kong’s most celebrated restaurants: Amber, Arcane, Café Gray Deluxe,Tosca, Zuma, Kaum at Potato Head, Rhoda, Mercato and more.

The rare and interesting ingredients include Rhoda’s tartare of ox heart, Kaum’s marinated eel, Zuma’s Japanese hakkinton pork and Tosca’s octopus with Amalfitan lemon.

The VIP experience

VIP visitors will obviously enjoy the line-up of restaurants, chefs, producers and attractions, but they will also get fast-track entry, access to the VIP Lounge, HK$300 of Taste credit and three complimentary drinks. Furthermore, guests who have a Standard Chartered Priority Banking Card or Priority Banking Credit Card can enter the Priority Bank VIP Lounge where free-flow red and white wine will be served.

If that isn’t enough to make you salivate, some of the most popular dishes from last year are making a comeback, including Tin Lung Heen’s succulent barbecued Iberian pork, Duddell’s pan fried M9 Australian wagyu with wasabi soy sauce and Yardbird’s sweetcorn tempura.

Taste of Hong Kong runs from 16-19 March at Central Harbourfront.

Click here for more information.

Text: Andrew Scott

Sotheby’s to host two wine sales valued at HK$52 million

Wine connoisseurs will be drunk with joy this April when Sotheby’s Hong Kong hosts two wine sales, offering over 1,600 lots with an estimated value in excess of HK$52 million.

The first sale,”A Monumental Collection From the Cellars of a Connoisseur (Part III),” will take place on 1 April, followed by “Finest and Rarest Wines and The Macallan” on 2 April.

The third and final installment of A Monumental Collection will feature some of the world’s finest wines and most sought after vintages. The first two installments were held in New York and London.

Leading the Hong Kong sale is an impressive array of Bordeaux and Burgundy.

The sale will feature first growth vintages from the Right and Left banks of Bordeaux and range from historic wines to the more recent. Yquem, arguably the world’s greatest sweet wine, is represented by sought after vintages, including the 1947.

For Burgundy lovers, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti offers its landmark wines, while Montrachet headlines the selection of white Burgundy. The sale is also rich in Rhônes and Italian wines from Piedmont and Tuscany. Tempting additions from Spain, Germany, Australia and Hungary round off the collection.

On the second day, the auction of Finest and Rarest Wines and The Macallan will be headlined by The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection. Six stunning crystal decanters — the Six Pillars — containing the rarest of The Macallan’s single malts aged 50 to 65 years, will be offered for sale as the world’s only complete collection direct from the distillery. The six decanters will be sold in a unique ebony cabinet and partial proceeds from the auction will go to local charities.

The lot will be offered at an estimate of HK$2 million to HK$4 million.

The auction will also feature an extensive selection of top wines from distinguished private collectors, including large quantities of parcel lots of Bordeaux first growths from the 1980s and the 2000s as well as rare Japanese whiskies.

Both auctions will take place in Hall 5 at the The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai.

Click here for more information.