Ankie Beilke says her love of fine wines improves with age

Ankie Beilke grew up in Germany in a house with a wine cellar in the basement, so the model-actress developed her taste for wine at a young age. Now based in Hong Kong, her love of wine has not diminished.

"I have it with almost every meal. I really love [Italian red] amarone and [French white] Chablis," said Beilke, who is half German, half Chinese.

"When I started drinking wine, I used to like riesling because it's German. It's a light wine and easier to get into it because it's sweeter. But now I like wines that are heavier in taste, more rounded, full-bodied and oaky. I guess my palate has changed as my knowledge of wine has improved."

Beilke was guest of honour at the China Wine Awards & China Spirits Awards at The Mira hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui on Tuesday.

"When I have time, I want to do a sommelier [course] to learn more about wine. I was planning to do it this summer but unfortunately - well fortunately - I had to shoot an Italian-Hong Kong movie [ Naked Soldier], so maybe next year," she said.

More than 100 judges blind-tasted wines and spirits from 37 countries - some with price tags of up to HK$10,000.