Wines from Spain and the New World are gaining ground in China, as Chinese wine enthusiasts become increasingly adventurous.
Taste of success
Exports of Spanish wines in China have jumped by 40% in the first half of the year, making it the third biggest exporter of bottled wine in the lucrative market.
“The Chinese are now searching for wines other than from France because they are more educated about wines from other countries,” Hong Kong wine expert Mabel Lai said.
Price is also a factor, though. Wines from Spain and other countries such as Portugal, Australia, and Italy, sell for less compared with French wines, Lai explained.
A bottle of wine from Spine may cost between $260 to $290, while a highly rated French wine could be twice as the counterparts, she added.
Surging demand
French winemakers, which holds 50% share of the Chinese market, say increasing competition in the China is a good thing.
Manager of French winemaker Ravoir et Famille, Jean-Laurent Soule, said “a little bit of competition will force us to improve our production and our winemaking.”
Demand in China has jumped in recent years, driven by a quick expansion in personal wealth.
Lance Mounsey
Lance Mounsey is a professor in Marketing in a university in New York. He has also worked as a copywriter in a well-known advertising agency
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