The 2022 Cathy Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (HK IWSC) kicked off its judging week from 20th to 23rd September, with 56 fully experienced and qualified industry judges gathering in Hong Kong to determine the finest global drinks for the burgeoning Asian market. 

Debra Meiburg MW, the Founding Director of HK IWSC, expressed, “the quantity of this year’s entries proved to us that the wine world is still very engaged with Hong Kong and believes in our future. We were particularly thrilled by the number of Amber wine entries. We’re observing increased interest in these unique “skin-contact” wines as edgy, au courant Hong Kongers return to our city after seeing these wines on top lists in London, New York, and Sydney. How timely that Hong Kong’s foremost professionals were able to award the best wines for our markets just as we open the city again.” 

This year, HK IWSC has remarkably broadened its expertise; all panelists are experts in their specific fields, incorporating Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, 17 sommeliers, and a variety of renowned importers, wine and spirit critics, journalists, and educators. The judges examined over 70 groups of wines, spirits, and beer, which were all presented “double-blind” to ensure result quality and consistency. 

Keehong 'Johann' Kwon, the Executive Head Sommelier at Black Sheep Restaurants, said, “one of the best parts of HK IWSC is doing the double-blind tasting without knowing the producers, considering that it could make us truly evaluate and feel the quality of the wine by itself rather than the winery's reputations, our expectations to the certain producers, etc.” 

The 2022 Judging Week took place at the Arca, a recently opened hotel nestled in the heart of the southern district of Hong Kong. An abundance of human resources was involved in the logistics and management of this year’s judging week, intending to shape this world-renowned competition into a success.

Held in conjunction with the Judging Week, Test Your Palate offered an excellent opportunity for drinks enthusiasts and professionals to uncover the behind-the-scenes of HK IWSC and discover 100+ competition-quality wines and spirits worldwide. Wine and spirit lovers descended upon the Acra in the evenings of 20th and 21st September to excite their taste buds and discuss the competition entrants with the HK IWSC’s eminent judges.

The 2022 HKIWSC’s full results will be announced to participants in mid-October, and subsequently to the public on 10th November via the competition website, hkiwsc.com