International Wine Challenge Vietnam 2004 Events - Mirroring Exciting Growth, Sophistication and Development of Vietnam

International Wine Challenge Vietnam 2004 Events - Mirroring Exciting Growth, Sophistication and Development of Vietnam

The International Wine Challenge Vietnam 2004 judging took place, behind closed doors, over November 20 and 21^st 2004 with a panel of almost 80 international and Vietnamese wine experts judging 300 international and 30 Vietnamese wines. The main objective to be able to identify the best quality wines for the consumers who are faced with an ever growing selection of labels, countries and producers to pick from. This annual competition is held in association with the prestigious International Wine Challenge in London and chaired by Robert Joseph, award winning wine author, Wine Magazine Publishing Editor and founder of the International Challenges, chairing International Wines Challenges throughout England, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and now Hanoi.

The IWCV was conceived by Robert and Donald Berger, Vine Group Managing Director, who assisted Robert in the organizing and judging the International Wine Challenge Shanghai in its inaugural years. The IWCV2004 is jointly organized by Vine Group, Robert Joseph, Donald Berger and Vietnam Beverage Association. The IWCV is international in the fact that both the wines and judges come from Vietnam and from 16 different wine producing regions across the globe. It also very accurately reflects Vietnam’s tastes as the judging panels are carefully balanced between international and Vietnamese experts. The days of judging are a forum for both International and Vietnamese wine makers and industry professionals to create new relationships and share ideas on improving the industry, market and quality of wine available here in Vietnam.

The result of IWCV2004 with 325 entries:

* 15 trophies, among there are 5 Vietnamese wines

* 17 Gold Awards

* 57 Silver Awards, among there are 2 Vietnamese wines (the highest award a Vietnamese wine has ever received from IWCV)

* 90 Bronze, among there are 6 Vietnamese wines

* 64 Seal of Approval, among there are 6 Vietnamese wines

On this weekend of following the wine judging there will be an open to the public viewing of the trophies and awards as well as tasting of the award winning wines at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel Nutz Bar from 2:00 to 5:00 pm in Hanoi followed by the same tasting at the Saigon Town and Country Club in Saigon the following weekend Saturday Dec 4^th 2-5 pm. The ticket price will be 100,000 VND per day. This will be an opportunity to taste a selection of hundreds of award winning wines. The wine merchants showcasing their wines and awards, will be able to take orders for bottles, cases and gift packs and sell their wines at the show, giving the public a chance to choose the best quality and value wines for their TET gifts as is the current fashion and health trend in Vietnam away from hard spirits.

The most exciting event this year was the addition of The Great Chef’s of Vietnam Gala IWCV2004 Awards Benefit for Agent Orange Afflicted Children Dinner at the brand new Sheraton Hotel on the scenic West Lake of Hanoi. 250 people attended a champagne & Sparkling wine tasting reception and viewing of the awards with 12 of Hanoi’s best restaurants providing delectable appetizers. Vietnamese Ministers, Ambassadors, Wine Celebrities and industry people, Hoteliers, Corporate VIPs and Press attended the Dinner with 10 chefs providing a stunning 8 courses meal paired with 8 award winning wines, a Vietnamese Haute Couture fashion show and a brilliant Vietnamese Jazz concert by Quyen Van Minh and son Dac.

Highlight of the evening was a gigantic cheque for almost 400,000,000 VDN given to Madame Nguyen Thi Binh- the Chairwoman of the National Fund for Vietnamese Children- the former Vice President of Vietnam,  as a result of the ticket sales and a Charity Auction with bids on Chi Linh Golf, Vietnam Airlines and Air France air tickets, Antique shipwreck plate from \Augustine Vinh, Eskimo art, Rare and fine Wine, food & beverage, Cuban Cigars lots from Vine Group, Fashions from Orient House, PearHa, high tech telecom Technology from Victory and highest bids of the night by Thomas O’Conner VITC.

For any additional information please contact:

Nguyen Ngoc Ly

Public Relations Manager

Tel: 719 8321, Mobile: 091357 1378.

Email: lypr@vine-group.com

Donald Berger   Managing Partner

Vine Group - Quality Hospitality
Email: donchef@vine-group.com  Mobile: (84) 913001359