With Aussie wine exports to China growing at a remarkable rate, Australia’s wine industry is well aware of the budding opportunities that Chinese wine drinkers represent. But Australians are less aware of wine grown, bottled and branded in China. Plus, they’re still learning about Chinese wine-drinking habits, likes and dislikes.
A recent Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) event, China 360: A Rare Look at China’s Booming Wine Scene, shined a spotlight on China’s burgeoning yet enigmatic wine industry.
At the Sydney event, Shanghai-based Master of Wine Rob Geddes was on hand to present learnings and share insights about China’s diverse wine regions, popular varieties and consumer trends.
He touched on the history of the winemaking industry in the country, which dates back more than 100 years; Australian winemaking in China; and drinking habits and the role of wine in Chinese society. Highlighted regions included Yantai for Cabernet Gernischt, Ningxia for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and Liaoning for world-class icewines.
Later in the evening, Handpicked Wines’ General Manager Jeffrey Tan shared his thoughts on the dos and don’ts of doing business in China.
Attendees were invited to taste and compare a range of premium Chinese wines, such as Niya Xinjiang ‘Manas’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 from the Xinjiang region and Helan Mountain Premium Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from the Ningxia Province.
The WCA’s partners for the event were Moët Hennessy Australia, Rob Geddes MW, Pernod Ricard Winemakers and Handpicked Wines. The ticketed event was available to both WCA members and non-members.
