China – facts and figures

China has a sporadic history with wine made from grapes. There is archaeological evidence to suggest that alcoholic beverages made from grapes were being made in China around the same time as the Georgians were first venturing out on their trade missions across the Black Sea, on the other side of the Asian continent. Several containers were clearly identified as containing wine along with grape pips, however, later archaeology suggests that this might have been mixed fruit wines or grapes added to simple rice wines. Around the end of the 2nd century BC, during the Han Dynasty, grape seeds were purchased during a diplomatic mission to a kingdom in modern Uzbekistan which were planted in the Imperial gardens. While grapes continued to be grown, wine production failed to take hold apart from a brief mention in historical records around the 6th century AD. China eventually began trade with the western wine producing nations but the opium wars damaged trade with communism arriving in the 20th century. It wasn’t until 1980 that Chinese markets began to re-open. The French were the first to begin exporting to China when Rémy Martin ventured into China to set up the first joint-venture enterprise. The company set up over 90 brands, but these were mostly exported as the local Chinese didn’t earn enough to afford their products. It was not until after the year 2000 when the economic boom finally arrived for average Chinese citizens that could afford to support a local market. Since then, huge investment has been made in joint ventures between large wine companies and Chinese businesses to expand viticulture in China. While production levels vary and figures difficult to come by, it is believed that China now has the 2nd largest vineyard area of any country. While many wines are still poor quality and mostly consumed by a local market with little knowledge of quality wine, quality is improving with Chinese wine starting to win awards in major wine competitions. It may take many more years to understand the best grape varieties and locations, but it is predicted that China could eventually make wines to rival the greatest wines of the world.