France, Australia and the Netherlands Were the Main China’s Wine Destinations in 2014
Wines October 06, 2015
Chinese wine making dates back to ancient times, though traditionally such alcoholic drinks as huangjiu (also referred to as yellow wine) and a stronger distilled spirit baijiu were more consumed. The most celebrated and internationally recognized vineyards are situated in Ningxia, as well as in Beijing, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Yantai, Hebei, Jilin, Sichuan and Shanxi. Yantai-Penglai is the largest wine-making region, providing 40% of China's wine, with more than 140 wineries.
Some experts remark that increasing demand for wine in China is likely to be the fruit of westernization. In the past, wine used to be exclusively consumed by government officials and higher classes, whereas at present, wine is gaining more popularity among the middle class and lower income groups.
If we turn to taste preferences, Chinese consumers mostly opt for mild red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz blends. However, summers in China may be hot, and during this time demand for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio peaks. Well balanced, smooth and fruity wines perfectly supplement Chinese dishes, although many Chinese choose sweet dessert wines such as ice wines, Port, and Tokaji.
In 2014, the main foreign destinations of China's wine were France (6.1%), Australia (2.4%) and the Netherlands (2.3%). The share of France increased (+2 percentage points), while the share of the Republic of Korea illustrated negative dynamics (-6 percentage points). The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In 2014, France and Chile were the main suppliers of wine with a combined share of 57.4% of total China's imports. However, the fastest growing suppliers from 2007 to 2014 were France (+30% per year), South Africa (+29% per year) and Spain (+21% per year). France significantly strengthened its position in China's import structure, from 14% in 2007 to 34% in 2014.
Source: China: Wine - Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2020
