« There exists many training courses on wine in Hong Kong, but no short programs, over a few days and made in France, were available ». Olivier Thiénot based  his launch of a wine school in Hong Kong on this assessment. « Long courses are mainly to be found within universities, or as Anglo-Saxon types of training, very ‘dry’, based on the product, without background history or a link with gastronomy, often upon request by companies. As Hong Kong is a catcher of tendencies, we decided to respond to needs by a ‘frenchier’ approach, more hedonistic, with simple categories for a quick and easy access ».

Many cellars also organise thematic tasting sessions, mainly around wines from the New World, but with a more partial strategy, linked to a business approach on wine. The concept of a school without sales is rare in the area, only two schools out of 23 today.

Olivier Thiénot has therefore chosen a 100% French program with bottles bought at wine shops, often cheaper than in France due to the absence of taxes, offering comparative duos, a young wine and a matured wine for instance, or two different grape varieties.

Each module of the first level is English, organised around three sessions of two hours and costs HK$ 1,900  (about €182). The course is designed for professionals as well as amateurs of the upper income group, and even for expats. The first objectives of students is to be the centre of attention within society, but « Chinese are a attentive group, who listen without intervening, but very curious, explains Olivier Thiénot.

It is difficult to know what they prefer, however. It is not part of their culture to express an opinion, which is a very different approach to ours. Perhaps the arrival of a Chinese trainer will allow us to soon understand their preferences better ».

November 2012