What would happen if the Chinese got to be as rampant wine drinkers as the Japanese? The wine world would never be the same. Certainly Australia and France wouldn’t have that much to worry about in terms of overproduction.
Of course, we’re not there yet, but the Chinese market for western style wine has doubled in the last ten years and by all reports is accelerating.
There are three relatively mature producers in China making western style wine, and in August, the first Chinese-French joint venture winery will release 15,000 cases of its initial vintage. Situated in Huailai county, Hebei province, the winery about 50 acres in size and is planted with French varietals.
It’s only a matter of time before Cabernet overtakes fish wine as the Chinese alternative to beer.