{"id":7067166,"date":"2026-09-26T05:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T05:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/uncategorized\/jia-you-fun-guide-to-wine-to-asia-2026-grape-wall-of-china\/"},"modified":"2026-09-26T05:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T05:39:11","slug":"jia-you-fun-guide-to-wine-to-asia-2026-grape-wall-of-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/?p=7067166","title":{"rendered":"Jia You! Fun Guide to Wine to Asia 2026 \u2013 Grape Wall of China"},"content":{"rendered":" \r\n
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Wine to Asia<\/strong>. My favorite trade show. Just one week away. From May 14 to May 16 in Shenzhen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love this show\u2019s spirit\u2014its quirkiness\u2014and how the organizers connect the trade to the community, including local wine bars, restaurants and consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, for the first time, those consumers can join, on May 15 and May 16, for RMB88 \/ USD12 per day and explore hundreds of wines and spirits from dozens of nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight things I\u2019ll be checking out, from the debut of RAW Wine <\/strong>in Shenzhen to some intriguing wines \/ spirits to plenty of post-fair fun. You can also check out highlights of the 2025 edition here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Parties! Fun!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No exhibition connects with the wine community like Wine to Asia. The most visible evidence: the simultaneous Greater Bay Area Wine Week<\/strong>, featuring 100-plus wine-centric venues across the region, including from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Foshan and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it goes beyond that. There are also plenty of tastings, dinners and parties each night. I\u2019ve helped host a few of my own with Wine to Asia, including two Grace Vineyard <\/strong>wine dinners, one with Interprocom <\/strong>and featuring Italian grape varieties, the other with Hunan restaurant Xiang Jiao <\/strong>and focused on Marselan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there was last year: instead of leaving the semi-full bottles from our Marselan tasting to be discarded, Wine to Asia sent them to Otheroof <\/strong>bar for an impromptu evening tasting that reached even more consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Last year\u2019s party lineup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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This global force makes its Shenzhen debut on May 15 and 16, with more than 70 producers from a dozen countries. Founder Isabelle Legeron <\/strong>will deliver a keynote speech and co-host a Franciacorta <\/strong>class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RAW attendees include Das Juice <\/strong>\/ Australia, Gloriville <\/strong>\/ China, Roxanich <\/strong>\/ Croatia, Pepin <\/strong>\/ France, DAO Wines <\/strong>\/ Italy, Powicana <\/strong>\/ United States, and many more. See this list of vendors<\/a> posted on April 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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China Whisky<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m helping with a panel \/ tasting with Bastien Ciocca <\/strong>of arguably China\u2019s best bar group, Hope & Sesame<\/strong>, plus James Liao <\/strong>of Guqi<\/strong>, a partnership of Cognac maker Camus <\/strong>and baijiu producer Gujingjong<\/strong>, and Ashley Lin <\/strong>of Laizhou<\/strong>, which boasts some 600,000 casks in maturation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theme: \u201cGlobal Spirit, Local Flavor<\/strong>.\u201d We\u2019ll sample whisky that leverages baijiu techniques, that uses Mongolian oak, that is aged in yellow wine-seasoned barrels, and more. Should be an eye-opener!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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QL has a wide range of Slovenian brands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Country Pavilions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with most wine fairs, there are brands from around the globe. My favorite stop is QL<\/strong>, China\u2019s biggest Slovenian wine importer, including producersEdi Simcic<\/strong>, Steyer<\/strong> and Scurek<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m also looking forward to trying new Greek, Serbian, Portuguese and\u2014for the first time\u2014San Marino wines. Plus, a major turnout of Italian wineries given Wine to Asia is backed by Veronafiere<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Olive oil-inspired cocktails at Wine to Asia 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Beyond Wine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This show continues to broaden its scope. That means cocktail sessions with tea (Bar Choice<\/strong>) and olive oil (SOL Expo<\/strong>). A special focus on China\u2019s most traditional alcohol\u2014huangjiu. And the first agave spirits pavilion in Wine to Asia\u2019s history. Among other highlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Last year\u2019s YGCS lineup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Chinese Wine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Along with individual booths, like for Domaine Franco-Chinois <\/strong>and Canaan<\/strong>, there is the Yantai <\/strong>region pavilion, featuring China\u2019s biggest producer, Changyu<\/strong>, and one its smallest, Jiangyu<\/strong>, side by side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus YGCW<\/strong>\u2014Young Generation Creative Winemakers. This is the best bet for finding local blanc de noirs, quirky varietals, pet-nats and skin contact wines alongside more traditional reds. Look for Si Mang <\/strong>(Sichuan), Petit Mont <\/strong>(multiple regions), Chanson <\/strong>and DEVO <\/strong>(Ningxia), Shofang <\/strong>(Hebei) and many more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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World Marselan Day tasting at Wine to Asia 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Marselan<\/strong>!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll help with a Marselan tasting on May 16, featuring the 35-plus wineries that supported our World Marselan Day <\/strong>parties last month. Some 10 regions \/ sub-regions will be represented, giving people a chance to compare terroirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finally, checking the vendor lineup, there are booths here and there catching my eye. KC Wines<\/strong> always has a nice range of natural options. There are high-altitude options from La Cafeyete <\/strong>in Argentina and Shangri-la <\/strong>in China, including premium producer Xiaoling<\/strong>. Plus, EVO<\/strong>, the biggest importer of US wine in China. A Chinese rice wine pavilion. And more.<\/p>\n\n\n

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There are also a slew of master classes, featuring local and international speakers. I don\u2019t tend to join those: I feel I get more done visiting vendors for 90 minutes than sitting down, but that\u2019s just me. For those seeking more formal education, check out this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whew, that\u2019s enough to fill three days for me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To sign up for Wine to Asia, either as a trade member or as a consumer, check the QR codes \/ info below. Hope to see you there!<\/p>\n\n\n

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(Get the free Grape Wall newsletter here<\/a>. Follow on LinkedIn<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. <\/i><\/i>Grape Wall has no sponsors: help support the mission, including World Marselan Day<\/a> <\/i>via PayPal<\/a>, WeChat<\/a> or Alipay<\/a>.<\/i> Contact Grape Wall at <\/i>grapewallofchina (at) gmail.com.)<\/p>\n\t<\/div>