SEASON 2 - EPISODE 2 : Wine Business in Southeast Asia

Our Host :

Nimmi Malhotra – Wine and Spirits Communicator

Our Guests:

Rob Temple – Managing Director, SINOWINE

Rob Temple is the Managing Director of SINOWINE, a Hong Kong-based consultancy specialising in wine distribution and brand strategy across Greater China and Southeast Asia. With over three decades of experience, he has held senior positions in major wine companies, including ASC Fine Wines (Suntory), where he managed a portfolio exceeding RMB 1 billion in sales. Temple has worked with renowned global brands such as Domaines Baron Rothschild (Lafite), Treasury Wine Estates, and Constellation Brands. His expertise lies in developing multi-channel strategies and understanding the evolving wine markets in Asia.

Natalie Wang – Founder, Vino Joy News

Natalie Wang is a Hong Kong-based Chinese wine journalist and the founder of Vino Joy News, the only English-language platform dedicated to covering China's wine market. Born in Chongqing, she earned her Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong. Wang has worked with international media outlets such as the International Herald Tribune and Thomson Reuters, and held editorial roles with James Suckling and The Drinks Business Hong Kong. Recognised for her insightful reporting, she was named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Wine and Spirits by WINWSA in 2021 and was nominated for the IWSC Wine Communicator of the Year in 2023.

Richard Hemming MW – Head of Wine, Asia, 67 Pall Mall

Richard Hemming is a Master of Wine and serves as the Head of Wine for Asia at 67 Pall Mall, a private members' club for wine enthusiasts. With a career spanning over two decades, he began in UK retail with Majestic Wine and later became a freelance wine writer and educator. Hemming has contributed extensively to JancisRobinson.com and other esteemed publications. In 2019, he relocated to Singapore to lead 67 Pall Mall's expansion in Asia, overseeing a team of sommeliers and curating an extensive wine list for members.

About the episode :
The Southeast Asian wine market is expandingthanks to rising disposable incomes, a growing middle class, and increasingappreciation for wine. Markets such as Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam aredriving demand for premium and imported wines. However, the region faceschallenges including high import duties, strict regulations, and a preferencefor beer and spirits. E-commerce and wine education initiatives are improvingaccess and awareness, positioning Southeast Asia as a key growth market forglobal wine producers.

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