I must say I feel rather sorry for Jasper Morris, Burgundy Buyer for Berry Bros. and Master of Wine. When he first visited Hong Kong in 2005, his trip might have included some leisurely lunches and tastings with the select few who were developing a passion for the region of Burgundy and its spectacular wines. Fast-forward five years and in a three-day whirlwind tour of dinners, interviews, master classes and tastings, there was barely a second to draw breath.

On making this rather apologetic observation at the end of the first day of his trip (his crammed schedule was, in part, down to me), I was relieved to be greeted with a grin, “This is exactly how it should be!” enthused Jasper, “no time to let the jet-lag set in!”. Of course this was no ordinary trip as clutched in Jasper’s right hand was the culmination of all his unsurpassed experience in one of the most complex and revered wine growing areas in the world, his new book Inside Burgundy.

It may seem strange that Hong Kong, traditionally a standard bearer for all things Bordeaux, might be chosen to host the global launch of a book on Burgundy, however, interest in the region is increasing at a staggering rate. It’s often said that it takes a decade to learn about Bordeaux and the rest of one’s life to learn about Burgundy. Berrys’ have now been in Hong Kong for over 10 years and I must say, as purveyors of all the great wines from around the world, it is a delight to see our customers broadening their horizons.