CHARITY WINE AUCTION FOR SMA
With a bold stroke, the government did away with wine duty and turned Hong Kong into a major wine centre overnight. Wine merchants and auction houses are the immediate and obvious beneficiaries. However, on one magical night on 6th June, an unlikely beneficiary emerged, a charity called Families of SMA Charitable Trust. It was established in 1998 to help patients afflicted with the hereditary disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA destroys the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles and causes them to progressively degenerate. It debilitates the physical functions of those suffering from it but leaves their mental capabilities fully intact. 1 in 60 is a carrier of the SMA gene and children in Hong Kong who suffer from it, will undoubtedly need help. On the night of 6th June, a charity wine auction held at the Conrad Hotel raised close to $500,000 for the SMA Charitable Trust. As one would expect, the event drew oenophiles whose day jobs were business executives, doctors, accountants and lawyers but many wine novices also came to support this good cause.
Since the abolition of wine duty last year, all the international major auction houses have held successful auctions of fine wine in Hong Kong. This germinated into the idea of combining a fine wine dinner with an auction of premium wine. This was the first event held in Hong Kong in which a fine wine auction was wholly devoted to a charity. The guests were feted with a 4 course dinner “married” with 5 wines chosen by Mr. Nelson Chow, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Sommelier Association, who also helpfully shared with the guests his insights for the matches. The main course was matched with a superb 1986 Chateau Cos d Estournel which has just reached its peak.
However, the highlight of the evening was the auction of 56 lots of carefully chosen premium wines including no less than 7 wines which have been given perfect ratings by Robert Parker
(2002 Greenock Creek,
Chris Ringland,
Chateau Rayas,
1998 Pegau Cuvee da Capo,
1982 Chateau Leoville Lascases,
1989 Chateau Clinet and
1990 Chateau Montrose).
In the first 2 minutes after the auction was opened, over $150,000 worth of silent bids were entered and there was a definite buzz of anticipation in the air. The live auction then drew enthusiastic bids from many generous donors. The marquee lots drew frantic bidding and each successive bid was met with wild applause. The usual dinner and music routine was quickly replaced with the sound and fury of an auction battle. If anyone overpaid in the heat of the battle, they were comforted by the thought that it was for a good and worthy cause.
The auction wines were assembled by Vinsionaire, a newly established wine outlet which offers the innovative idea of selling only wine that has been rated at 90 or above by renowned critics such as Robert Parker. Be the price high or low, the quality of the wine is always assured. This concept was brilliantly showcased at this auction. There was a range of fine wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone and Australia (all rated 90+ of course). Single bottles of Burgundy made by the legendary Henri Jayer found successful bids of $13,000 (1992). ) and $25,000 (1993). respectively. A magnum of 1983 Palmer fetched $25,000 whereas a bottle of 1989 Latour returned $29,000.
Everyone shared in the excitement and the exit poll had excellent returns. Most importantly, a worthwhile charity benefited. Certainly a wine auction to raise a glass to, Cheers!