Headed by John Chua, president of Chinelli Consultancy Pte Ltd, the judging panel consists of eight judges. They are Subhash Arora, editor of delWine, India; Cheong Hai Poh, president of F&B Managers’ Association (FBMA), Singapore; Pairach Intaput, Thai Sommelier and Gastronomie, Thailand; Thomas Ling from Entwine, Malaysia; Maria Isabel Mijares, founder and chairwoman of Equipo Team SL; To Viet, wine educator from Toviet’s Wine Cellar, Vietnam; and Yohan Handoyo, wine director of Decanter Wine House, Indonesia.
Yohan will be the first Indonesian judge ever to present at WFA.
Another new highlight at WFA 2011 is the introduction of the Southeast Asia Wine Pioneer Recognition Award.
At the Southeast Wine Pioneer Recognition Award Appreciation Lunch, awards will be given to recognise and honour pioneers who have given significant contributions to the region’s wine industry in the 1970s.
“Over the last 10 years, the wine market has matured greatly and WFA has been at the forefront of this development since the first exhibition in 2003. We wanted to take this opportunity – before they retire – to pay tribute to the wine pioneers who have made significant and important contributions to the growth of the wine industry in the region,” Tham says referring to the objective of the accolade.
WFA 2011 also features ‘Wine Fiesta’, a one-day extension to Wine for Asia, which will be held on 29 October 2011. It’s a rare opportunity for wine enthusiasts to experience the world of wines.
This year, WFA 2011 will have a fun program called ‘Indulgence Singapore”. Taking place on 28 – 29 October 2011, this weekend escape is designed for those who want to attend the inaugural Wine Fiesta.
F&B Familiarisation Tour will be organised in the evening of 28 October. Started with F&B Safari Tour, the tour will include stops at Singapore’s popular night spots such as Clarke Quay and Dempsey Hill, taking participants to blend with the enjoyment of sumptuous food and fine wine while getting an insight into the latest F&B concepts in Singapore.
WFA 2011 has received strong support from local government and trade agencies such as International Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau and Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association.
It has also received endorsements from international trade agencies such as Aicep Global Portugal; Australian Trade Commission; Austria Wine Marketing Board; German Embassy in Singapore; Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency; International Bartenders Association; Italian Trade Commission; SOPEXA, the agency for the promotion of French food, wine and spirits; and ViniPortugal, a trade association that promotes Portuguese wines to domestic and international markets.
Prestige Magazine, September 2011
