Hong Kong is keen to establish itself as the wine hub of the region as it kicks off on Thursday, the third annual Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair. Officials also predicted Hong Kong would surpass New York as the world's biggest wine auction centre this year. The wine event attracted a record number of exhibitors, a total of 700 from 29 countries, who are eager to tap into the growing Asia wine market. Hong Kong's chief secretary Henry Tang, a self-professed wine lover himself, highlighted the city's growing thirst for wine.