/ Reviews / Wine
Vintage Adventures
by Ruth Waldron
on Friday, March 18, 2011 12:00 AM
In recent years, the Chinese consumer has developed a seemingly voracious taste for imported luxury goods. Not least of these purchasing mores is wine. Traditionally, the tipple of choice in China is, of course, the rocket fuel baijiu. However, with more disposable income and exposure to broader world influences, the Chinese are looking to other countries for new and interesting food and drink.
China is a market set to explode in terms of its thirst for wines and spirits over the next ten years, having already reached seventh position in the purchasing of wines by volume worldwide, according to a recent study conducted by the International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR).
Maarten van der Meij of Wine Discoveries has personally experienced the growth in the imported wine market in Shanghai. The company first started out as SA Fine Wines three years ago, and has now established itself in the online and hospitality market, adding their new retail outlet in the calm surrounds of The Cool Docks last December. Initially offering choices solely from South Africa, their selection has since expanded to include German, Spanish and French labels.
The imported wine industry is extremely competitive here, and decent everyday varietals from Europe or America are being sold in China at high-end prices. At Wine Discoveries they aim to provide a good range of grapes at agreeable prices. According to van der Meij, the wines of South Africa are gaining popularity in China as they are a little sweeter, and work better with Asian food than, say, the heavier French wines.
Most of Wine Discoveries clientele is from the expat sector, with an increasing number of local customers. Members of the German community drop by regularly for their Riesling and fruity schnapps, and many customers avail of the free delivery for purchases of one box or more.
But there's only one choice when it comes to celebrations: sparkling wine, which at this emporium is generally priced at a very modest RMB138-270. With the volume of imported wines circulating in China expected to grow 56 percent over the next five years (IWSR), there's certainly plenty for shops like Wine Discoveries to toast.
The Bottom Line: Learn about the New World wines of South Africa, while indulging in some classic Old World grapes, too.
