Tipple Talk | Mike Peters

The 2014 edition of Vinexpo Asia-Pacific - the annual wine and spirits expo held in Hong Kong - will be bigger and better than ever, promised new chairman Xavier de Eizaguirre. The three-day trade show from May 27-29, which is open to the public on the final day, expects to break records both in show size and visitor numbers.

There's little doubt about the first part: The exhibition will occupy 50 percent more floor space, and it's already 92 percent reserved, Eizaguirre told a Beijing news conference this month. Out of more than 200 new exhibitors committed so far, almost half are French. That should be a big draw for the Chinese audience, many of whom cling to the proven quality and status of chateaux, Bordeaux and anything that might rhyme with them. But upstart countries in this market will be coming on strong, too: Italy is doubling its footprint at Vinexpo, and Spain will triple its showcase area.