Anthony Rose: "With All Eyes On China As A Growing Superpower, Its Domestic Wine Industry Is Likely To Burgeon"#
Although most wine experts think China's domestic wine producers have a long way to go until they can contend with the world's more established vineyards, many admit that the industry has come a long way in a remarkably short amount of time. Last year, Changyu, one of China's largest wineries, announced a partnership with Chateau Lafite to develop a 60 acre vineyard in Shandong province, and a recent news article noted that the country now has around 500 wineries.
Today, wine journalist Anthony Rose -- writing on improving wine production throughout the world -- projects that China's status as a wine producer should rise in tandem with its status as a global economic superpower.
With all eyes on China as a growing superpower, its domestic wine industry is likely to burgeon in response to local demand. It will also improve in quality with overseas investment and the discovery of quality regions. Hong Kong, after announcing the abolition of taxes last year, is already on track to become the world's number one fine-wine auction hub after the US.
It's interesting that Rose mentions China's untapped "quality regions." As we wrote last month, China has many regions suitable for growing everything from tea to coffee beans, and many regions that are capable of growing and processing quality grapes. Like everything in China, all it would seem to take is a will on the part of producers to put in the effort to build their brand pedigree and invest the time necessary to create and nurture truly world-class products. Unfortunately for wine enthusiasts aching to take a curious sip of Chinese wine, few homegrown wineries have, to date, put in that effort. But that may change as consumers mature in their tastes.