We are pleased to announce that those Dragon Phoenix students who took their WSET Level 2 Intermediate exams in January have yielded an impressive batch of results.

80% of those who took the exam achieved Pass with Distinction, the highest level possible, with the remainder achieving Pass with Merit, no mean achievement.

We would like to congratulate our latest students on their fine results and wish them all the very best in pursuing their wine studies.

If you are interested in taking a WSET qualification with Dragon Phoenix, please contact Fongyee Walker (fongyee@longfengwines.com). Full information on our WSET courses can also be found by clicking here.

Coinciding with The Beijinger’s ‘All You Need is Love’ issue, our February column ‘Bacchus Meets Venus’ comprises ‘A Lover’s Guide to Wine’ to mark Valentine’s Day. For a copy of this article, please click here.

21st February 2009

After a month away from Beijing - taking in the UK, Canada and the US - we can promise a series of posts on the Dragon Phoenix Wine Blog on all the wines we tasted in California including winery visits at:

Grgich Hills Estate, Clos du Bois, Simi, Limerick Lane, Franciscan Estate, Robert Mondavi, Heitz Cellar, Clos du Val, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Cakebread Cellars.

Admittedly, during this marathon tasting tour, Fongyee was mostly couped up in Yountville studying for the Master of Wine programme and Edward set a day aside to complete the Certified Specialist in Wine exam with the Society of Wine Educators in Napa City.

It was a jam-packed trip during which Edward blogged on US site Enobtyes (click here for his first post) and we drafted our first column for The World of Fine Magazine (see forthcoming March 2009 issue).

But given all the hype surrounding California, especially Napa, what was this cross-section of wines really like? Can they deliver a reasonable quality price ratio within the region and perhaps further a field?

First post to come on the Dragon Phoenix Wine Blog (with full accompanying tasting notes on Adegga): Grgich Hills Estate

For January, we review the wine scene in Beijing and how’s it changed over the last twelve months. For a copy of the article please click here for the January article.

For all Dragon Phoenix updates, information on Beijing tastings, this month’s wine recommendations and other helpful vinous advice,  please click here to download our January Newsletter.

For all Dragon Phoenix updates, information on Beijing tastings, this month’s wine recommendations and other helpful vinous advice, please click here to download our December Newsletter.

This month, we explore ideas on how to hold a party with good drinkable beverages without breaking the bank. We cover sparkling, whites and reds with suggestions for saving money and creating a splash! For a copy of the article please click here

If you would like to download a copy of our newsletter, please click here for a copy in pdf format.

In November’s column we examine various wine lists around town. With lists ranging from the lean and elegant to the lush and “full-bodied”, there’s plenty to choose from.

Please click here for the November article in pdf.

For a guide to wine events in Beijing, wine tips and tricks and wine suggestions, please click here to download our October newsletter.