Beijing Bacchanal + Hilton Food & Wine Experience Giveaway

The Hilton Beijing’s Food & Wine Experience is back for the twelfth year on this Saturday, November 14 – an entire day of food and wine tasting of nearly 1,000 different labels from some of the world’s best wine regions, as well as samples from over 100 suppliers, wine appreciation seminars, food stalls, cigar rolling demonstrations, a cocktail master class, coffee and chocolate tastings, childrens’ activities and a lucky draw. See below to win tickets to this event.

Sommelier and Harbin native Julia Zhu will be on hand to share her knowledge and tips on wine appreciation.

When was your first taste of wine?
A semi-sweet Chinese Sparkling wine I first tasted in China long, long time ago.

How long have you been a sommelier? Why did you pursue this path?
What about wine pulled you in? Just over two years. I majored in Hospitality Operations Management for my degree in Toronto, during which time I developed an interest in wines. When I started my third year, I represented the school to compete in Cotes du Rhone wine competition and came in second place. I was also strongly encouraged to pursue wine studies by my professors – and after almost two years, I began to work with wines every day. I started out as a restaurant host, then became a sommelier-in-training after I was halfway through my wine courses.

What are your primary responsibilities? Do you only work for One East?
Down to the basics, providing exceptional service and enhancing dining experiences by recommending the best food and wine parings. I am also responsible for changing wine selections, updating wine lists, organizing and hosting wine clubs, wine events and tastings, and conducting wine trainings for all F&B service attendants, etc. One East on Third is my main focus during operation, but I also take care of the whole wine program for the hotel.

How has the wine club been going? When did it start?
Pretty well, actually, I see a growth through the past months, and I can only see a brighter future of this wine club with all the help from media and our hotel promoters. And I only started this club early February.

Who are the usual participants?
Some of our restaurant’s regular guests with whom I built up trust over time and introduced into the wine world, including local Beijingers and expats.

Have you found any difficulties as a female sommelier because there are so few?
No, it’s quite an advantage I always think. I like to surprise my guests with what I know, especially if they underestimate me at the beginning. However, I have felt well respected since I started working here.

Aside from your own venues, where do you like to eat in Beijing?
Elements for Asian cuisine, Sureño in The Opposite House for Mediterranean.

What is your favorite wine to drink for fun?
I love all kinds of wines, depending on my mood – i.e. with company, with food, with a specific atmosphere. Fun, I love sparkling wine, be it champagne, cava, prosecco, etc. Special occasions call for vintage or rose champagnes.

What is the best wine ever made?
That is too hard to answer. I have many “Best wines” in my list, under the condition that they are balanced, complex, with good value for money, etc. If you need a pattern or style, I love quality, hearty, bold wines made by Shiraz/Syrah.

What are some Chinese wines you can recommend?
Upcoming wineries like Grace Vineyard are making some decent wines of certain vintages. Dragon Seal, Great Wall, Zhangyu all have some good products in their higher ranges.

The Hilton Beijing’s Food & Wine Experience happens on November 14 and will be open to the public from 1-8pm. The price of admission is RMB 200 net per person, including buffet.

We have two tickets to the Hilton Beijing’s Food & Wine Experience to give away to the first person to answer this question: In which city did Julia Zhu earn her degree? Send your answer to: danedwards@truerun.com