TN: from the Qantas lounge in Hong Kong.

2011 Holland Creek Riesling, Adelaide Hills, Paracombe
apples, pears, peach, ripe fruited and slightly metallic in terms of minerality, it feels Australian but not typical, it has a slightly unique grassy, herby, fruit centred mineral quality, and lacks a feeling of drinking a tank of petrol but with elegance… Nice slate/rocky finish. I like this for being something I wasn’t expecting and being lovely. ****** or [3.5+4.5+4.5+4.5=17/20]

Anything more interesting? I will be passing through HK end of the week.

Hong Kong airport is all about the Pier and Wing 1st class Cathay lounges.

Not really, even the pilots who I know who work for Cathay say they are generally pretty dull wine wise, but at least with Qantas you find decent Aussie whites that don’t cost the earth.

I will see if the Cathay’s First class Lounge has anything of interest.

I do know Qantas’ has gotten good words on flyertalk. CX’s 1st class Pier/Wing used to be #1, but other airlines may have surpassed them now worldwide (Emirates?/Qantas?/BA Concorde?). BA Concorde is pretty good, although their champagne can be eh.

It would be great if premium class travelers complained about a lack of interest and quality in wines out of Hong Kong. The government has gone to great lengths to ensure Hong Kong is the wine hub of Asia and local airlines are rich in promoting the concept but not delivering high class wines in the Business & First or the Lounges.

Cathay’s wine selection on the ground and in the air shows little imagination although the wines are respectable. They could and should be much better though. If you are thirsty though you could always visit the “Free Duty” wine shops at the airport and purchase some of the most overpriced wine anywhere…shocking considering HK is now zero duty everwhere