The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea will host two New Zealand Wine Festival events in Seoul and Busan in May and June.

The festivals will offer enthusiasts a chance to enjoy over 80 premium New Zealand red and white wines from over 25 participating vineyards.

Tony Garrett, chairman of The Kiwi Chamber, pointed out that this year would be the first time for the festivals to be held since the Korea-New Zealand free trade agreement entered force on Dec. 20.

The events follow a New Zealand food week hosted by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, which starts Monday, with events in Seoul on Tuesday and Busan on Thursday.

“The wine festivals are the chamber’s most popular events of the year and they offer our members and guests an opportunity to experience the best of New Zealand,” Garrett explained. “There is ample time for tasting and wine cognoscenti will be able to enjoy an array of top brands from some of the world’s top wine-producing regions.”

New Zealand-themed food will be served to complement the wine and both events will have raffles with prizes including return air tickets to New Zealand.

The first event takes place on May 28 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the Park Hyatt Busan, while the second will be held June 4 from 2-6 p.m. in the Waterfall Garden of the Grand Hyatt Seoul.

Tickets for each event are 80,000 won ($68) for Kiwi Chamber and DINE@HYATT members, 100,000 won for nonmembers and 110,000 won at the door. For more information and registration, contact chamber@kiwichamber.com or visit www.kiwichamber.com.

(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)