The China market for Bordeaux wines booms - but has materialized only marginally

“The increase of added value from the sales of Bordeaux wines in 2009 which was predicted by many experts unfortunately failed to materialize,” says Browett. “Considering the fact that Hong Kong is the second largest wine market in the world, and given that the demand for wine in China is rising steadily, the profit in sales of Bordeaux wines in China in 2009 was rather sobering.”

“The Chinese have now expanded their networks more and have less focused on the Grand Crus in 2009,” says Gary Boom, director at Bordeaux Index. “However, the demand for the best still exists. For the Chinese this is Margaux, Mouton, Lafite, Carruades de Lafite, Cheval Blanc, Duhart Milon, Angelus, Lynch Bages.“Nothing has changed in this respect.”

Gary Boom also confirmed that there are two sets of buyers in China: “Some are happy when they pay top prices for the best Bordeaux wines, but they do not buy large quantities, but are loyal customers. The others just want cheap wines, which are also offered by other nations. “These have gained additional market shares - that can also explain the decrease in added value of Bordeaux exports.”

Browett of Farr Vintners confirms this: “Our Asian customers were responsible for slightly more than a third of our total sales in 2009, but for only a small proportion of the amount. Numerically expressed, we achieved a turnover of 60% in value and 85% in quantity in the UK in 2009, and compared to Asia, only 40% in value and 15% in quantity. (aw.yoopress / translator e.meissner)