Wine might not be the first thing you associate with China, but hang on to your seats. It’s an up-and-coming country and a major player in the market.
The figures are impressive. The country has 11 percent of the worldwide area under vine, second only to Spain at 13 percent. It has 870,000 hectares in production, nearly a 15 percent increase from 2013. That’s almost double the acreage in the United States.
In terms of wine production, it ranked seventh in 2017 even given the fact that 83 percent of its grapes are of the table variety. The United States takes the top honor in wine consumption, but China isn’t too far behind.
China Exports and Imports
But, China keeps its wine to itself and doesn’t rank in the top 12 for exports. Even Lafite Rothschild‘s production in the country is staying within the borders. Imports, however, are a different story.
China ranked fifth in the world in 2017 with 7.5 million hectoliters. That is nearly double the volume from 2013. Imagine where that is going in the years ahead, especially given the fact that the United States only increased 7 percent during the same period.
Indeed, the country is influencing the global market tremendously, especially in France and particularly in Bordeaux. That’s part of the reason that prices for these wines have soared in recent years.
Chinese Wine
China grows international grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Viognier. However, people have a strong preference for reds over whites. The influence of France is keen with plantings of Petit Verdot and Petit Manseng too.
It’s both an exciting and evolving time in the wine market. It remains to be seen where the trajectory will take the industry. But with all the players and the politics, it’s sure to be a bumpy ride.