The China Wine Competition has announced an outstanding panel of Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, wine buyers, distributors, sales leaders, wine directors and senior sommeliers for its 2026 edition.

Taking place in Hong Kong on November 10, 2026, the competition will put entered wines in front of professionals who actively buy, distribute, list, sell and recommend wine in China.

For international wineries seeking to enter or expand within the Chinese market, this judging panel offers genuine commercial value. Wines will be evaluated by decision-makers who understand what succeeds across China’s specialist retail, wholesale, distribution, luxury hotel and restaurant channels.

Meet the 2026 China Wine Competition Judges

Arnaud Bardary MS
Master Sommelier and Head of Sales for Wholesale at Watson’s Wine

Arnaud combines the advanced tasting expertise of a Master Sommelier with direct wholesale sales experience at one of Hong Kong’s most recognised specialist wine retailers. His perspective connects wine quality with customer demand, distribution requirements and commercial positioning.

Cassidy Dart MW
Master of Wine and Owner, Purple Grape Consultancy, Beijing

Based in Beijing, Cassidy brings a strong understanding of the Chinese wine market alongside the analytical and commercial expertise of a Master of Wine. Her experience will be especially valuable for producers seeking to understand how their wines could be positioned for Chinese buyers and consumers.

Kamal Malik MS
Master Sommelier and Wine Educator

Kamal brings advanced tasting knowledge and extensive wine education experience to the panel. He will assess both the technical quality of each wine and its relevance to today’s Chinese wine consumer.

Tom Baxter
Wine Buyer at Berry Bros. & Rudd and MW Candidate

Tom works directly with wine selection and understands the commercial realities of buying and selling fine wine. Producers will have their wines assessed through the eyes of a buyer representing one of the world’s most established wine merchants.

Dirk Chen
Director of Wine, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

Dirk brings the perspective of a senior hotel wine professional responsible for developing and managing wine experiences within one of Hong Kong’s leading luxury hospitality properties.

Jose Diniz
Head of Sales at Watson’s Wine

Jose offers direct insight into customer demand, portfolio performance and the factors that help wines gain traction through specialist retail, wholesale and sales channels.

Juwan Kim
Head Sommelier, La Petite Maison, Hong Kong

Juwan understands what makes a wine work in a busy, quality-focused restaurant environment—from food compatibility and by-the-glass potential to price, style and guest appeal.

Phenol Mak
Head Sommelier at Tosca di Angelo, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

Phenol brings luxury hotel and fine-dining experience to the judging panel, providing producers with a perspective shaped by sophisticated wine programmes and internationally diverse guests.

Dominique Noel
Senior Manager – Wine Management, Wine Buyer and Sommelier

Dominique combines wine-buying responsibilities with senior wine-management and sommelier experience, allowing wines to be assessed from both commercial and service perspectives.

Nicola Perrone
Head of Wine at Zuma Restaurants

Nicola oversees wine strategy for one of the world’s best-known contemporary restaurant groups. His experience offers producers insight into what is required for a wine to succeed within an international restaurant business operating in the Chinese market.

Esther Poon
Senior Sommelier at Feuille, Hong Kong

Esther brings current fine-dining experience and an understanding of how wine selection, storytelling and food pairing influence purchasing and guest decisions.

Kevin Seun
Senior Sales Manager at EMW Fine Wines

Kevin represents the distribution and sales side of the market, assessing wines with an understanding of portfolio fit, buyer demand, pricing and their potential to succeed commercially in China.

Kenny Tsui
Sommelier at ÉPURE, Hong Kong

Kenny contributes hands-on knowledge of fine-wine service, guest preferences and the wine styles that work within a sophisticated Michelin-level restaurant environment.

Kelvin Ziea
Chief Sommelier, JW Marriott Hotel, Hong Kong

As Chief Sommelier at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Kelvin brings senior hospitality, wine-list and service experience from a leading international hotel group.

Judged by the People Who Buy, List and Serve Wine in China

The China Wine Competition has one clear objective: to identify wines with the quality and commercial potential to succeed in the Chinese market.

The judging panel is selected not only for its tasting credentials but also for the judges’ current professional responsibilities. These wine professionals work across importing, distribution, wholesale, specialist retail, luxury hotels, fine-dining restaurants and international hospitality groups.

They understand the practical questions that matter when considering a wine for China:

- Does the wine deliver the expected quality at its price?
- Is its style relevant to Chinese consumers and dining occasions?
- Could it succeed on a restaurant wine list?
- Does it have strong by-the-glass potential?
- Will it fit within an importer or distributor’s portfolio?
- Does the packaging communicate the right message?
- Can sommeliers and sales teams confidently recommend it?
- Is there a clear target consumer and drinking occasion?

This makes the China Wine Competition more than a technical tasting. It is a commercially focused evaluation conducted by professionals who influence which wines enter the Chinese market and ultimately reach consumers.

Why Producers Should Enter

For wineries seeking to grow in China, recognition from this judging panel can demonstrate that a wine has been evaluated by professionals with direct experience in the market.

Winning producers can use their results to support:

- Chinese importer and distributor presentations
- Restaurant and hotel sales conversations
- Specialist retail and wholesale pitches
- China market-entry strategies
- Trade and consumer marketing campaigns
- Distributor and sales-team education
- New product launches
- Brand credibility within China

A China Wine Competition medal can give producers an additional commercial reason to contact buyers, reopen sales conversations and demonstrate that their wines have been assessed for their suitability within the Chinese market.

Get Your Wines in Front of China’s Wine Decision-Makers

If entering or expanding within China is part of your growth strategy, this is your opportunity to put your wines in front of influential buyers, distributors, sales professionals, wine directors and sommeliers.

The China Wine Competition is not judged by general wine enthusiasts. Your wines will be evaluated by professionals who actively buy, distribute, list, sell and recommend wine in China.

Submit your wines, receive valuable market validation and give your brand a stronger platform when approaching Chinese importers, distributors, hotels, restaurants and specialist wine retailers.

Also Read:
From Bordeaux To Hong Kong: Dominique Noël’s Unfiltered View On Wine Buying
Know Your Sommelier: Esther Poon, Head Sommelier
Know Your Sommelier: Kelvin Ziea, Chief Sommelier at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong