Chinese wine? Why not

Not all Chinese are associated with wine making. Meanwhile, in recent years, Chinese wine producers have managed to achieve great success, and their French counterparts helped them in this regard.

In 2016, China poured 11.4 million hectoliters of wine, ranked sixth in the world in terms of production. And in terms of the amount of wine consumed, the country occupies fifth place, says The Conversation.

Chinese wine makers have achieved a decent wine quality and have adapted to the rising price of labor. However, now they face a new challenge: the negative image of the country in the eyes of consumers and the increasing competition from foreign producers.

Due to the many scandals associated with product safety, and the alleged theft of intellectual property on a regular basis, China's reputation was very wet. At the same time, bilateral trade agreements with Australia and Chile raise many customs barriers and put the Chinese wine makers face to face with their more experienced and eminent competitors.

Unlike many industries (eg, car or computer production), in the making of wine there is no unique technology. The quality of the wine depends on the wine itself and the climate in which it grows, and also largely on the experience and diligence of wine makers. And the strangest thing is that many foreign colleagues are not opposed to sharing their experience with the Chinese.

One of the first Western alcohol companies, which set up a joint venture with China, was Remy Martin of France. In 1980, the famous cognac house broke the deal with the authorities in Tianjin city, organizing production there and thus gaining access to the vast Chinese market. This is how the Wine Dynasty was born - now one of the largest wine producers in China.

The partnership with Remy Martin and other Western companies has given China not only knowledge, but also a strong added value to reputation. Chinese wine lovers, previously skeptical of local producer's products, are beginning to change their point of view. And they have many reasons to do so. If previously a good local wine is an exception rather than a rule, but now, thanks to the help of European professionals, the quality of Chinese wine has grown significantly.

After strengthening their position in the bulk segment, Chinese manufacturers take premium. So, in 2013, the alliance of French groups LVMH and state enterprises of Ningxia province began releasing a Chinese version of the famous champagne called Chandon China.

Chinese wine makers are starting to expand and overseas markets. Although the volume of wine exports from China is very small - by 2016 it costs only $ 1.2 million (for comparison, from Argentina - $ 15 million, and from France - $ 3.2 billion). But now it can be bought in many European and American cities, which means that China has won a decent place on the wine world map.