SIWE - International wine exchange in Shanghai

"The government knows that Chinese investors and consumers only know so much about wine", says Li Wenfeng, President of SIWE. "This platform is supposed to furnish information in order to find fake wines and there will also be wine-recommendations. Topics on this platform include healthy wine consumption and viticulture". Li Wenfeng also mentions a cooperation of SIWE with the China Construction Bank Corporation (CCBC). The CCBC is a partner of Chinese importers and businesses for larger wine exchanges of 500.000 euro and up.

You will have to become a member to be able to use the website. Basically every wine lover can become a member. However, the majority of members is businesses as well as investors. "SIWE's goal is to check the validity and quality of wines before they are sold", explains Li Wenfeng. "Thus, SIWE offers particularly important information about the producers and their wines, which will be very useful in furnishing documentation for customs officials".

Besides its benefits of membership and the included access to important information, SIWE also acts as the mediator of producers, importers and businesses; it basically is a wine exchange. Since the use of this service is not intended for pure benefit, Chinese customers are guaranteed trustworthy access to producers and wine stores. After all, we are talking about Grand Crus wineries with high ratings from Robert Parker as well as cult wines from Europe and the United States.

Sadly, however, SIWE was not very welcome at the Vinexpo. Pierre-Antonie Casteja, CEO at Maison Joanne was slightly upset: "We are used to communicating with Chinese importers and stores directly. If we join a wine exchange like this, we are basically welcoming direct competition with colleagues and our customers - why should we do this?" (red.yoopress)