It’s that indulgent time of year again when the city devotes an entire month to celebrating all good things that come from France. Aside from packing in awesome cheeses, musical performances and art exhibitions, Le French May promises to pamper the city’s oenophiles, especially since the event organisers have chosen the Bordeaux region as this year’s theme. To ensure you make (and drink) the most out of the month, we’ve compiled a list of the hottest wine events uncorking over the next four weeks.

Starting with one of the best deals of the programme, drop by the Congress Restaurant at the Convention Centre and take advantage of the Bordeaux wine buffet. The liquid feast features half a dozen reds and whites for an insanely reasonable $168 per person. Our favourite French gourmet shop Monsieur Chatté is also offering tasting sessions at its Sheung Wan flagship store, as well as discounts on Bordeaux wines at all their outlets, including their private kitchen Ma Cuisine.

If you prefer expert-led tastings, Master of Wine Debra Meiburg hosts a wine tasting at specialist wine shop Bordeaux etc on Thursday May 10. The tasting session is priced at $1,000 per person and is open to the shop’s Inner Cellar Members (non-members can become a member by purchasing something at the store). Similarly, The Press Room’s sommelier Kavita Faiella holds a masterclass wine-paired dinner on Monday May 14, which will focus on grapes from this year’s highlighted region.

For dedicated gastronomes, the city’s most celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants will roll out special Bordelais promotions all through the month. Book a seat at triple-starred L’atelier de Joël Robuchon to enjoy a four-course menu featuring dishes of fresh scallop carpaccio, and free-range quail with foie gras and mashed potato. For $1,688, the menu comes with three glasses of premium Bordeaux wine, including Château Lynch-Bages Blanc 2008 and Château Pavie 2004. Purists, however, may prefer Restaurant Petrus, where chef Frederic Chabbert plates up a classical six or eight course menu ($980 and $1,280 respectively). Bordeaux wines are included for a supplementary $900, including a Goulée Blanc, Cos D’estournel Médoc 2009 and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Cru Classé 1995.

This month is also a perfect opportunity to brush up on your knowledge of reds, whites and bubblies. For example, the newly established Ecole du Vin de France offers a three-session EDV certification programme ($2,970 per person) that covers the basics of wine tasting, terminology and appreciation. This is just one of the many wine courses offered throughout the city.

Finally, the end of May coincides with the large-scale trade show Vinexpo on May 29-31, which will bring plenty more wine-related promotions and events to the city. It’ll be a dizzying month, so get ready to drink up.

Le French May www.frenchmay.com
Vinexpo www.vinexpo.com