VietNamNet - The third annual International Wine Challenge Vietnam 2004 held at the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel on November 22, raising US$25,400 for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

An amount of US$25,400 was given to small victims of Agent Orange through Vietnam's National Fund for Children.

The event, organised by Vine Group – Quality Hospitality, the Vietnam Brewery and Soft Drinks Association, Asian Wine Research Institute, Vietnam Airlines, Sheraton Hanoi Hotel and Metro Cash& Carry attracted wine makers from England, France, German, Italia, Chile, US, Argentina, China, Japan.

Eight hundred wines from global wine makers and 60 local and international wine experts tasted 80 wine varieties from Vietnam, and around 300 guests invited to witness the contest to taste winning champagnes and Proseccos.

An auction of rare wines and paintings by Vietnamese artists, together with fashion shows and a live jazz concert were organised at the event. All proceeds from ticket sales, totalling US$25,400, will go towards children affected by Agent Orange through Vietnam's National Fund for Children.

The first wine challenge in Vietnam, held at Hanoi's Press Club in 2002, launched the country's most comprehensive international standard of wine grading and culminated in the largest wine festival ever held in the country.

List of winners

1. Van Dat Trading Company: Best Vietnamese Red Wine Trophy
2. Kim Bien Fruits Processing Cooperative: Best Vietnamese White Wine Trophy
3. Vine Group: Best International Red Wine Trophy, Best International White Wine Trophy Highest Scoring Wine Trophy
4. La Cave/ Lan Chi Trading & Service Co. ltd: Best International Sparkling Wine Trophy Champagne
5. Metro Cash & Carry: Best International Sweet Wine Trophy – 2001 Trentham, Wine Merchant of the Year Award
6. Tantahue Chardonnay Rapel 2003 Metro Cash & Carry: Best Value White Wine Trophy
7. Thang Long joint stock company: Best Value Red Wine Trophy
8. Lam dong Food Joint stock company: Best Value Sparkling Wine Trophy
9. Best Vietnamese Fruit Wine Trophy – VWD export Lichee wine
10. Best Vietnamese Fruit Liquor Trophy – Severac Alcohol – Passion Fruit 19 degrees
11. Wine Maker of the year: Vine Group

Hoang Huong