A room filled with young people of all ages from all the surrounding regions, designer labels everywhere, relevant and sometimes surprising questions, numerous invitations to organize tastings, restaurant owners full of imagination, even more daring cellarmen...all of this put together would make a perfect impressionist painting to give you an idea of this year’s exhausting but fascinating trip. Multicoloured, multi-‘odour’ and multi-‘lingual’ touches…a palette of smiles and generous comments in each city…

There were several interesting events of note, including the inauguration of ‘Château Samso’ in Canton, filmed by Chinese television stations and in the presence a horde of photographers...the whole shebang! A great moment, a sort of Fête de la Fleur, a blend of kitsch and glamour, in a totally unbridled atmosphere and an indescribable climate of chaos but all in all it was really quite pleasant and fun! Also note the prestigious Commanderie de Bordeaux dinner in Shangai, run by Maître Andrew Bigbee, who got everyone to play wine riddles...