RUTHERGLEN’S sweet muscat wines are the perfect compliment to Chinese desserts.
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That is what Hong Kong journalist Nicholas Siu will be reporting once he returns to the country after spending the week visiting wine regions throughout Victoria.
He is one of 150 delegates that have taken the trip as part of the Meet the Winemaker program, funded by the Victorian government.
Delegates are from China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the United Kingdom and have leading roles in the wine industry.
Siu, who writes for CRU magazine, was one of 14 journalists who were tasting at Campbells Wines yesterday.
He said the wines were better value than those China imported from France and Hungary and believed the muscat would be a popular addition to wine lists in Hong Kong.
“It’s a rare muscat and elegant,” Siu said.
“They age very well and it’s a sweet wine with some nuttiness and the aroma is really good.
“It would pair with many Chinese desserts.”
Siu plans to tell consumers the stories behind different wines and wineries.
Delegates attended a showcase in Melbourne on Monday with nearly 90 wineries on display but Siu said only about 25 per cent were exporting to China already.
“People hear a lot about South Australian wines but Victoria should be more exposed,” he said.
Rutherglen Wine and Tourism executive officer Natalie Ajay said the delegates, who were also wine buyers, wholesalers, restaurant owners, sommeliers and importers, had shown great interest in Rutherglen wines.
“A lot of phone calls have already been made and emails sent back and forth so it’s definitely been worth it,” Ms Ajay said.
“This program puts us on the map on an international scale.
“Hopefully we will increase export opportunities and therefore increase output and jobs.”
Winemaker Colin Campbell said having the delegates visit the winery was a milestone event.
“Asia is developing so quickly and they are starting to get interested in wine,” he said.
“I hope the delegates go home with an appreciation for the quality of the wines.”