Dawa 2016, judging week
Sarah Kemp and the DAWA 2016 chairs address judges as the week begins.
(Image credit: Decanter)

Some of the best palates across Asia have started judging thousands of wines in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2016 in Hong Kong.

More than 2,850 wines will be tasted blind and rated against their peers by Decanter‘s assembled experts in Hong Kong this week.

DAWA 2016 has seen increased interest from China, with 205 Chinese wine entries. That includes 120 entries from Ningxia.

More than 40 judges started blind tasting wines according to region and style on Tuesday 6 September.

DAWA 2016 judges, wine tasting

Judges get down to business at DAWA 2016.
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

The vasts majority of judges are local to the Asia region.

DAWA 2016 chairs include professor Li Demei, a world authority on Chinese wine and DecanterChina columnist.

He is joined by Japan’s Shinya Tasaki, previously named the world’s best sommelier and now president of the international sommeliers’ association.

‘Decanter is delighted to have assembled Asia’s most talented and influential wine experts to judge this year’s Decanter Asia Wine Awards,’ said Decanter MD Sarah Kemp on Tuesday morning.

Sarah Kemp, Dawa 2016

Sarah Kemp, Decanter’s MD, addresses judges on day one.
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

‘The best tasters from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, India, Malaysia, among others, will taste and discuss the wines with Decanter’s illustrious chairs.’

Satoru mori, sommelier, dawa 2016

Award-winning, executive sommelier Satoru Mori. Head sommelier at the Conrad Tokyo.
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Also chairing is Decanter consultant editor Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com columnist Andrew Jefford, Michael Hill Smith MW, Gerard Basset MW MS, and wine writer and educator Ch’ng Poh Tiong.

DAWA 2016 chairs

Sarah Kemp with the DAWA 2016 chairs. From left: Michael Hill Smith MW, Ch’ng Poh Tiong, Andrew Jefford, Gerard Basset MW MS, Steven Spurrier, professor Li Demei, Shinya Tasaki.
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

Kemp added, ‘In its fourth year we have seen double digit growth in entries, a testament to the international wine trade’s trust and value they place on their wines receiving an award from Asia’s top critics at DAWA.

‘Asian consumers will have the chance to try the wines at numerous promotions this Autumn.’ This will include the Decanter Shanghai Fine Wine Encounter on 26 November.

gurjit barry, indian sommelier, dawa 2016

Indian sommelier Gurjit Barry tastes his first wines of DAWA 2016.
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

The DAWA 2016 is kindly sponsored by Riedel glasses and Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino water.

Stay tuned for more information promotions, and for the latest details from DAWA 2016 judging week.

See the DAWA judges

Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.