Chinese wine on supermarket shelves
It’s not a common combination, but when you consider the sheer size and population of China, it was somewhat inevitable that Chinese wine would be added to the ever growing list of imports from the Peoples Republic. Over 18 months ago www.spittoon.biz noted that “Domestic wineries are gearing up to put China’s name on the map of wine culture, helped by experts from home and abroad. So get ready for a chardonnay from Huadong, a cabernet from Changyu or a dragon’s seal from Beijing. Or how about a smooth cabernet sauvignon from Xinjiang?”
Morrisons is claiming to be the first UK supermarket to sell Chinese wine.
The retailer has added two wines from the north west of China to its portfolio: Silk Road Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay both retail for £5.99 and are 100% pure varietal wines.
Grant Eastwood, Morrisons’ licensed trades director, believes China has the potential to make wine that can compete with the world’s best-selling wine-producing countries, such as Australia.
“With their technology and ability, combined with a couple more years’ experience in this industry, they’ll be producing more excellent wines. They remind me of Australia in the early 90s, when they started to put down vines.”
Eastwood added that Chinese wine “could take on the world if only grape-growing conditions were better”.
Trading manager Arabella Woodrow MW described China’s climate - which is very dry with high summer temperatures - as “difficult for grape-growing”, adding: “I’m amazed they can grow grapes at all.”
Along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, China’s climate shows promise for Riesling, according to Woodrow. She added that, with quality continually improving, Chinese wine will be able to shake off its novelty image in the UK.
Bordeaux winemaker Fred Nauleau assisted in the making of the Silk Road wines, which are produced from an ethically-run vineyard and winery that is tended by local families with government support. Snow melt from the Tianshan mountains, which border the Taklamakan desert, irrigates the vineyards.
2 comments
I was in China in November and have absolutely no doubt that all the other major retailers will follow Morrison’s lead and we’ll all be drinking Chinese wine in the next 5 years or so. Although I found much of what I tasted to be oxidised, when the Chinese put their mind to do something they usually succeed. They are quick learners and fast to spot a money making opportunity. The country is so vast and climate so varied there are still plenty areas where vines can be grown.
Morrison’s claim is inaccurate. Many Chinese and Oriental Supermarkets in the UK like ours have been selling red and white wines produced in China for a very long time.
I daresay that we have been selling the Great Wall brand of wines for at least 15 years, if not over 20.
http://shop.waiyeehong.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_14_53&products_id=1283
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