The countdown has begun to the Hong Kong Wine Fair, as groups associated with wine tourism and education look to capitalise on the region's love of Burgundy and Bordeaux.

According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event will be an opportunity to make contacts and promote wine for a large number of firms attached to the major vineyards in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Italy.

HKTDC claims that China and Hong Kong account for 60 per cent of the Asian fine wine market, which is expected to be worth £556 million in the next decade.

The Drinks Business notes that the region's growing interest in fine wine is highlighted by the fact that nearly 40 per cent of investment wine stored in the UK is Chinese or Hong Kong-owned.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild recently announced it would be placing a Chinese symbol on its 2008 vintage, as it looks to make itself the chateaux of choice for Chinese wine lovers.