Wine Industry Resources
1.16.2009
Chinese Wine?
Recent decades have seen numerous regions of the world emerge as major new players in the global wine market. California is arguably the most famous New World wine producing region, but it has been joined by places as varied as Chile, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Argentina. Fifty years ago it would have seemed laughable to forgo a French or Italian wine in favor of a product from one of these places, but as competition and quality has increased, unquestionably that is no longer the case.
Now, wine enthusiasts are wondering if the same scenario will play out with China. Geographically a very large nation, China has varied climates with both coastal and arid inland regions. The famed 45th parallel, which passes through Italy's Piedmont, France's Bordeaux, as well as Oregon, also passes through Xinjiang province, one of several wine producing areas in China, including Shandong, Hebei, Sichuan, and Jilin. In recent years, winemakers who learned their craft in famed winemaking areas in France and the US have turned their attention to developing the wine industry in China.
While traditionally fond of beer and the native liquor baijiu, the Chinese are increasingly receptive to their growing domestic wine industry, and wine bars are cropping up more and more. While many critics view Chinese wine as still largely below the quality of more established regions, one factor is likely to change that: competition. As China grows economically, the disposable incomes of its citizens also grow, and this wealth and increased standard of living is fueling an interest in fine imported wines from France, Italy, Australia, etc. As the Chinese palate becomes more experienced and sophisticated, domestic producers will be forced to up their game in order to maintain market share.
With so much land available for cultivation, and an industry that will inevitably improve with experience and an interested domestic market, it may be just a matter of time before China is contributing truly fine wines to the world market. As quickly as Australian, Chilean, and New Zealand wines have risen to global prominence, we may soon see China stepping into the role of intriguing newcomer. Don't be surprised to see Chinese wines gracing the shelves of your favorite wine store in the years to come.
Now, wine enthusiasts are wondering if the same scenario will play out with China. Geographically a very large nation, China has varied climates with both coastal and arid inland regions. The famed 45th parallel, which passes through Italy's Piedmont, France's Bordeaux, as well as Oregon, also passes through Xinjiang province, one of several wine producing areas in China, including Shandong, Hebei, Sichuan, and Jilin. In recent years, winemakers who learned their craft in famed winemaking areas in France and the US have turned their attention to developing the wine industry in China.
While traditionally fond of beer and the native liquor baijiu, the Chinese are increasingly receptive to their growing domestic wine industry, and wine bars are cropping up more and more. While many critics view Chinese wine as still largely below the quality of more established regions, one factor is likely to change that: competition. As China grows economically, the disposable incomes of its citizens also grow, and this wealth and increased standard of living is fueling an interest in fine imported wines from France, Italy, Australia, etc. As the Chinese palate becomes more experienced and sophisticated, domestic producers will be forced to up their game in order to maintain market share.
With so much land available for cultivation, and an industry that will inevitably improve with experience and an interested domestic market, it may be just a matter of time before China is contributing truly fine wines to the world market. As quickly as Australian, Chilean, and New Zealand wines have risen to global prominence, we may soon see China stepping into the role of intriguing newcomer. Don't be surprised to see Chinese wines gracing the shelves of your favorite wine store in the years to come.
