August 31, 2012 – That evening we dressed for the formal banquet dinner and wine auction that was held at another hotel. Over 300 people attended, and once again we were seated at the main table, but this time it was long and rectagnal with 12 different courses served, including this lovely dish of prawns. We were were served the Best of Class White and Red wines, so I was very happy to drink the Xixia King Chardonnay NV and the Jiabeilan Grand Reserve 2009.
The media were in attendance with more cameras flashing and video cameras rolling. The winning wines from the morning tasting were announced to much fanfare. I sat near Jancis Robinson at the table, and we enjoyed listening to the wine auction in Chinese that followed the dinner. It was a charity auction, and even though we couldn’t understand what they were saying, it appeared that much money was raised for the wines that were sold. Just like a mini Napa Valley Wine Auction!
After dinner, we headed back to our hotel and had a night cap in the lobby bar. I tried once again unsuccessfully to order a gin and tonic, but they do not know how to make mixed drinks in China yet. All you can order successfully is either a beer or a shot of some kind of liqour. It is also not possible to order wine by the glass, but perhaps some day…..