What a year it’s been at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and especially with Wine Circle! December is the perfect time to look back on the year in wine – to savour the best offerings and review the ones that emerged, surprised, delighted and wowed. As we wrap up this year, we chat with Head of Wine Sébastien Chevalier on his choice highlights of 2023 in the world of wine.
Best Old World
Sébastien’s Choice: Riesling QbA Lorchhäuser Seligmacher, Eva Fricke, 2018
Sébastien praises this selection as it’s a rare find in this category – with a great success story. “An Old World Riesling like this is hard to find,” he says. “This is a young female winemaker who has struggled for the past four years, finally ‘getting her head out of the water’ now to produce a wine with quality that’s amazing for its price.”
Best New World
Sébastien’s Choice: La Despensa Sangiovese, Chile 2021
“I was impressed to find a stunning Sangiovese in the middle of Chile,” Sébastien shares. “La Despensa was brave to develop this, and they do everything by hand themselves: growing the grapes, making the wine, and even labelling the bottles!”
Surprise of the Year
Sébastien’s Choice: Fuy Entre la Niebla Pinot Noir, Chile 2021
Sébastien continues to be delighted by bottles coming out of this country. “Yes, Chile again! But the Fuy Entre la Niebla Pinot Noir, what a surprising find,” he shares. “You can rarely get that level of quality for a New World Pinot Noir from the Patagonia region.”
Varietal of the Year
Sébastien’s Choice: Pinot Noir
It was clear to Sébastien which varietal came out on top in 2023. “Pinot Noir is a given, as the demands of the grape is impressive,” he says. “During my recent trip to South America, I encountered new grapes that I want to share with our Members, like the Mollar from Peru or the high-end Torrontes from Argentina.”
Furthermore, according to Sébastien, these countries, just like Chile, have continued to improve the quality of their wines in the past years. “2020 and 2021 were very difficult in Burgundy, resulting a very low yield and not much Pinot Noir available on the market,” he explains. “Luckily, 2022 was overall good – even very good – with high quantities available. 2023 looks promising with favourable comments coming from Burgundian producers in general. This will help to cater to increasing demand for this varietal.”
From this category, Sébastien has two favourite wines: the Mollar from Bodega Murga, Peru 2021, and the Mayuco Torrontes from Bodega Valle Arriba (Tacuil) 2022.
Top Trend of the Year
Sébastien’s Choice: Pinot
This comes as no surprise. “Pinot, pinot, pinot…” Sébastien says. “The Pinot trend started a few years back, but with small batches like in 2021, and the demand for it since has been greater than ever.” And the standout wines that he’d like Members to try, are, well, plentiful. “I would say, try anything from the entire Burgundy region, from Grand Cru to Chablis to Pouilly Fuissé…”
Wine Circle gives you plenty of opportunities to try out all of Sébastien’s recommendations – check back often for news on upcoming events.
Best Old World
Sébastien’s Choice: Riesling QbA Lorchhäuser Seligmacher, Eva Fricke, 2018
Sébastien praises this selection as it’s a rare find in this category – with a great success story. “An Old World Riesling like this is hard to find,” he says. “This is a young female winemaker who has struggled for the past four years, finally ‘getting her head out of the water’ now to produce a wine with quality that’s amazing for its price.”
Best New World
Sébastien’s Choice: La Despensa Sangiovese, Chile 2021
“I was impressed to find a stunning Sangiovese in the middle of Chile,” Sébastien shares. “La Despensa was brave to develop this, and they do everything by hand themselves: growing the grapes, making the wine, and even labelling the bottles!”
Surprise of the Year
Sébastien’s Choice: Fuy Entre la Niebla Pinot Noir, Chile 2021
Sébastien continues to be delighted by bottles coming out of this country. “Yes, Chile again! But the Fuy Entre la Niebla Pinot Noir, what a surprising find,” he shares. “You can rarely get that level of quality for a New World Pinot Noir from the Patagonia region.”
Varietal of the Year
Sébastien’s Choice: Pinot Noir
It was clear to Sébastien which varietal came out on top in 2023. “Pinot Noir is a given, as the demands of the grape is impressive,” he says. “During my recent trip to South America, I encountered new grapes that I want to share with our Members, like the Mollar from Peru or the high-end Torrontes from Argentina.”
Furthermore, according to Sébastien, these countries, just like Chile, have continued to improve the quality of their wines in the past years. “2020 and 2021 were very difficult in Burgundy, resulting a very low yield and not much Pinot Noir available on the market,” he explains. “Luckily, 2022 was overall good – even very good – with high quantities available. 2023 looks promising with favourable comments coming from Burgundian producers in general. This will help to cater to increasing demand for this varietal.”
From this category, Sébastien has two favourite wines: the Mollar from Bodega Murga, Peru 2021, and the Mayuco Torrontes from Bodega Valle Arriba (Tacuil) 2022.
Top Trend of the Year
Sébastien’s Choice: Pinot
This comes as no surprise. “Pinot, pinot, pinot…” Sébastien says. “The Pinot trend started a few years back, but with small batches like in 2021, and the demand for it since has been greater than ever.” And the standout wines that he’d like Members to try, are, well, plentiful. “I would say, try anything from the entire Burgundy region, from Grand Cru to Chablis to Pouilly Fuissé…”
Wine Circle gives you plenty of opportunities to try out all of Sébastien’s recommendations – check back often for news on upcoming events.