China increases its wine imports - France loses its leading role

It is, too, astonishing that France is no longer the leading export country – whereas Chile and Greece are on the first rank, which is astonishing, too. “In 2011, Greece exported wines to China that are valued at 2 million euro”, Theodoros Georgakelos, the Greek ambassador, reported at the forum in Hefei, capital of the province of Anhui.

Jenny Li, manager for research and analysis at Wine Intelligence, a globally active polling institute for the global development of wine, expects a further increase of Chinese wine imports, with wines from the New World rather increasing and the established wine nations decreasing.

“For urban wine consumers, wine is part of the daily repertoire”, Jenny Li says. “My compatriots consider wine as a healthy drink. The important thing for them is taste and style of the wines. But there is a misunderstanding between what they are drinking and what they would like to drink”, Jenny Li explains “So, Cabernet Sauvignon has for a long time been the only type of grape available on the Chinese market. Now they want more fruity and less tannin-enriched wines.”

This is, as well, the reason why Asti, Muskateller, Rieslings and ice wines have now an unexpected chance. Due to their attractive prices, New Zealand’s wines are now very demanded, too, in China; they are made out of the same types of grape that the French have been offering for decades in China. According to the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the country exported about 120,000 bottles to China as early as in 2009, which equals twice the amount of 2008 – since, with a rising trend.

“The Chinese consider exquisite boutique wines from New Zealand as the perfect alternative to the mostly overpriced French wines – this means that consumers in China have long become sensitive for prices”, Jenny Li explains. (red.yoopress)