10瓶梦幻之酒 - WINE

有些酒可以一天喝一杯；有些酒或许一年喝一杯；有些酒，也许一生才能喝一杯。

1 拉图（Chteau Latour）

与王者风范的拉菲相邻，却以桀骜不驯的霸气傲立于世，有着雄浑健硕的铮铮铁骨。英国著名酒评家休·约翰逊曾经评论说：“如果说拉菲是男高音，拉图便是男低音；如果说拉菲是一首抒情诗，拉图则是一部史诗；如果说拉菲是一曲婉约的轮旋舞，拉图必是人声鼎沸的游行。” 最昂贵价格：2007年6月7日，一瓶（Jeroboam瓶，相当于6瓶750毫升标准瓶）1961年的拉图在伦敦佳士得拍卖行以84859美元拍出。

2 拉菲（Chteau Lafite Rothschild）

到目前为止，世界上最昂贵的一瓶红酒，依然是那瓶1787年的拉菲：1985年12月5日在伦敦佳士得拍卖行以156450美元拍出，买主是《福布斯》发行人马尔科姆·福布斯，现存福布斯收藏馆。据称，这瓶酒曾经属于《独立宣言》起草人、美国第三任总统托马斯·杰斐逊，瓶身刻有他的名字缩写“Th.J.”。一家法国杂志如此描绘拉菲：“从路易十五封拉菲为‘国王之酒’的时代至今，王者们来来往往已不见踪影，唯有伟大的拉菲随历史一起来到今天。” 拉菲代表波尔多左岸红酒的最高艺术成就：标致，完美，经典。在中国市场，拉菲升值速度之快让葡萄酒专卖店每月都得更换一次标价牌：以1982年份拉菲为例，2007年6月为一瓶25000元，7月底突破30000元，9月达到35000元⋯⋯ 最昂贵价格：1787年的拉菲，1985年12月5日以156450美元拍出。

3 木桐（Chteau Mouton Rothschild）

对于木桐酒庄，大家最感兴趣的一个问题是：这个年份的酒标是谁画的？木桐最新发布的2004年份酒标竟然选用了查尔斯王子创作的一幅水彩画！ 从1945年以来，木桐每年都要选一位画家的作品作酒标，包括达利（1958年）、米罗（1969年）、夏加尔（1970年）、毕加索（1973年）、安迪·沃霍尔（1975年）⋯⋯囊括了印象派、抽象派、具象派、立体主义、表现主义、超现实主义、波普艺术以及涂鸦艺术等20世纪以来的最重要的美术流派。如果像集邮一样每年收藏一瓶，那几乎是浓缩了一部20世纪下半叶的世界美术史。 最昂贵价格：2006年9月28日，在洛杉矶佳士得葡萄酒拍卖会上，一箱（12瓶750标准瓶）1945年的木桐拍出29万美元；几分钟之后，又一箱（6瓶1500毫升Magnum瓶）1945年的木桐拍出34.5万美元。

4 红颜容（Chteau Haut-Brion）

红颜容是“波尔多五大”中唯一位于格拉夫产区的酒庄（上述四家均位于梅多克产区）。美国著名酒评家罗伯特·帕克在他的新版《波尔多》一书中写道：“在三十多年的试酒与评酒生涯中，发觉自己愈来愈喜爱红颜容那种烟熏味、矿物味、雪茄盒味和黑醋栗味⋯⋯” 也曾经有人说，把红颜容与拉菲放在一起的时候，还是觉得拉菲好。但红颜容酒庄总管让-伯纳特·德尔马斯当时回敬道：“我的红颜容是和美食一起搭配的，而不是用来搭配拉菲的。” 最昂贵价格：2007年9月7日至8日，美国《读者文摘》董事长托马斯·莱德委托苏富比拍卖行在纽约拍卖他收藏的5477瓶葡萄酒，其中一箱（12瓶750毫升标准瓶）1989年的红颜容被一位香港收藏家以17925美元买走。

5 玛歌（Chteau Margaux）

革命导师恩格斯曾经说过：“什么是幸福？幸福就是喝一杯1848年的玛歌。” 与拉菲的经典、拉图的雄浑相比，玛歌是以温柔和优雅而声名显赫。玛歌酒庄总管保罗·庞坦勒维曾经说过：“玛歌和拉菲之间的关系其实很简单，在本质上，就是一个男人和一个女人的相遇。” 最昂贵价格：《福布斯》曾经报道，1989年，一位英国收藏家委托纽约酒商威廉·索克林代售一瓶1787年的玛歌，当他把这瓶酒带到纽约四季酒店进行拍卖时，一不留神却给打碎了，好在事先已向保险公司投报，获得赔偿22.5万美元。

6 柏图斯（Chteau Pétrus）

曼联老帅弗格森爵士在曼彻斯特Key103电台的访谈节目中透露：“我喜欢红酒，但必须是真正的好酒。我在曼联第一次赢得联赛冠军时，就开了一瓶1961年的柏图斯。” 柏图斯酒庄也没有任何等级，酒庄所在的玻美侯产区是波尔多唯一没有实行分级的小产区，但柏图斯的声誉和价格常常超越“波尔多五大”。若说拉菲是赤霞珠（Cabernet Sauvignon）的经典，那么，柏图斯则是梅洛(Merlot)的巅峰。与波尔多左岸的单宁强劲、风格严肃的赤霞珠相比，右岸的梅洛红酒通常以果味浓郁、甜美柔和而著称。 最昂贵价格：在2007年7月1日开业的莫斯科丽兹-卡尔顿酒店的酒单上，有一瓶1961年的柏图斯，标价68000美元。

7 路易王妃水晶香槟（Louis Roederer Cristal）

法国南部度假胜地圣特罗佩的皇家酒窖夜总会（Les Caves du Roy）有这样一种传统礼仪：只要客人点了一瓶路易王妃水晶香槟，夜总会的灯光将调暗下来，正在播放的音乐也将戛然而止，更换为《星球大战》的主题音乐，然后，一队侍者护送着放在镶宝石的纯银托盘上的路易王妃水晶香槟，在人们的注目礼中缓缓走进大厅，送至客人的座位。 据报道，贝克汉姆夫妇曾在2005年6月的一个夜晚享受过这一尊贵礼遇，他们当晚叫了一支Methuselah瓶（相当于8瓶750毫升标准瓶）路易王妃水晶香槟，价格为2万英镑。 最昂贵价格：2007年7月22日，位于伦敦Wells街78号的水晶俱乐部以3万英镑的高价售出一瓶Methuselah瓶路易王妃水晶香槟。

8 罗曼尼-康帝（DRC.Romanée-Conti）

罗伯特·帕克认为：“罗曼尼-康帝是百万富翁喝的酒，但只有亿万富翁才喝得到。” 罗曼尼-康帝位于布根地金丘 (Cte d’Or)的一面倾斜度为16度的山坡上，葡萄园总面积只有1.8公顷，还不到巴黎协和广场的一半，种植世界上最难栽培的黑比诺（Pinot Noir）15000株，树龄已达到60余年，平均每3株葡萄才能酿出一瓶红酒。关于罗曼尼-康帝的味道，首席酿酒师奥贝尔·德·维兰曾用诗意的语言形容说：“带有即将凋谢的玫瑰幽香，令人流连忘返，也可以说是天使遗留在人间的东西。” 最昂贵价格：2007年5月22日，一箱（12瓶750毫升标准瓶）1985年的罗曼尼-康帝，在纽约佳士得葡萄酒拍卖会创造了布根地红酒的新纪录——23.7万美元。

9 伊甘（Chteau d’Yquem）

2006年12月20日，伦敦古董酒公司以150万美元卖出一套跨越3个世纪的伊甘珍藏，包括从1860年－2003年的135瓶酒。由于伊甘在20世纪共有9个年份（1910、1915、1930、1951、1952、1964、1972、1974、1992）因为葡萄品质不符合酒庄要求而未有出品，所以这套藏品缺了9瓶。 伊甘是采用感染了“贵腐菌”的葡萄酿造的甜白葡萄酒（故称“贵腐酒”），包括80%的赛美蓉(Sémillon)、20%的长相思(Sauvignon Blanc)和麝香（Muscade），色泽呈奢华的金黄色，通常会绽放出浓郁的蜂蜜、杏脯、桃子、菠萝、柑橘和榛果等典型香气，结构华丽，酒体丰腴。法兰西学院院士米歇尔·塞尔曾经赞颂道：伊甘酒庄对于法兰西，就像沙特尔大教堂、拉威尔的《波莱罗舞曲》和莫奈的《睡莲》一样。 最昂贵价格：2006年2月，一位美国富翁从伦敦古董酒公司买走一瓶1787年的伊甘，价格为9万美元，创造了历史上最昂贵的白葡萄酒纪录。

10 酩悦香槟王（Dom Pérignon）

据胡润财富调查机构2006年公布的第二届“千万富翁品牌倾向调查”，中国千万富翁最青睐的香槟就是Dom Pérignon 。Dom Pérignon 是酩悦香槟的“特制年份香槟”，酒窖陈储长达6年以上，以“香槟之父”Dom Pérignon 修士的名字命名，俗称“香槟王”。 最昂贵价格：2007年11月1日，由夏奈尔首席时装设计师卡尔·拉格菲尔德设计的Dom Pérignon 圣诞礼盒在英国闪亮登场，吉他箱造型的礼盒内衬奢华的羔羊皮，装有6瓶（1500毫升Magnum瓶）Dom Pérignon 年份粉红香槟：1瓶1966年的，2瓶1986年的，3瓶1996年的，还有3只水晶香槟杯，售价7万英镑，包括一次浪漫的“酩悦香槟假期”。

Wine Loading & Packing Instruction from Forwarder

1. Loading of Containers / Product

“SUB-STANDARD CONTAINERS WILL NOT BE USED”
§ All containers will be food grade & inspected prior to loading
§ Container visually clean. e.g. No grease, dust, debris etc.
§ Container dry.
§ No damage to container floor, walls, roof or doors.
§ Door seals intact and in good condition.
§ Photo to be taken of all export containers prior to container doors being closed
§ Product will be loaded the correct way up into containers

2. Slip Sheets – if requred
Slip sheet loads will be securely stretch wrapped around the sides.
Note: does not seal top with stretch wrap or pallet bags as this will create a single pallet environment on which the desiccant will not work.

§ Carefully stack slip sheet loads into container – should any wet, dirty or damaged cartons be identified the will not be loaded into container & exporter will be immediately notified.

§ All cartons will be securely stretch-wrapped and the load will then be put onto approved slip sheets using the pallet inverter. Where cartons or layers are remaining, every attempt should be made to re-stack so that each block is tall enough to be handled by the Pallet Inverter. Loose cartons must not be packed into a container unless the entire container is to be hand stuffed, or if they are secured on all sides by container walls/doors/other product/dunnage bags

3. Air Bags (Dunnage Bags)
Air bags can be used to stabilise the load and to prevent horizontal movement, if gaps are present. Air bags will not be over inflated. Slip sheet will be placed between product and air bag if sharp or uneven surfaces could puncture the bag. The air bag will contact the total surface area of the vertical plane(s) that define the gap. Multiple air bags will be used to fill large gaps (inflated width of a bag should not be greater than 25cm - refer to manufacturers specifications).
No unauthorised packaging shall be used to stabilise the load, as this may add moisture to the container. * Air bags have additional costs

4. Flexi Tanks
Toll Bulk Products are a market leader in supply, loading & exporting of flexi tanks – our tanks are fitted with stainless steel fittings & valves.

Australian Wine Growing Regions

Australian Wine comes from the majority of Australian wine producing regions, with Western Australia being the exception. This represents 98% of the Australian vineyard areas. These wines have driven the international export success of Australian wine over the last 15 years

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Barossa Valley
In 1842 immigrants from England, Germany and Poland established one of Australia's best-known and historic wine regions, the Barossa Valley. The main red varieties now grown are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache and the key white grape varieties are Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay.
Shiraz abounds in the Barossa, and is probably the wine for which the region is most famous. Riesling is the other classic Barossa variety. The style is quintessentially Australian - quite unlike the European Riesling. The region also produces excellent quality Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Adelaide Hills
This is South Australia's oldest wine region with vines grown and wines made as early as the 1840's. It is recognised as a premier cool climate region of Australia.
The cool, high altitude vineyards create fine sparkling and still wines of intense flavour, good acid structure, elegance and balance. Varieties grown include Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for both sparkling and bottled wines in the coolest parts; Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot in the slightly warmer areas; and Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz in the lower altitudes.

Riverland
The Riverland receives a great deal of sunshine and this, together with its rich sandy loam soils and plentiful water supply makes up Australia's largest wine growing region. Around two-thirds of South Australia's and almost one-third of Australia's wine grapes, are grown here. Once home to varieties for fortified and brandy production, the region has undergone a quiet transformation over the past decade and now produces premium varietal bottled wines with generous flavours.
The region is renowned for its rich and flavoursome Chardonnay grape, which excels in the warm climate providing generous fruit flavours. More Chardonnay is now grown in the Riverland than the combined total of all other regions in South Australia. Shiraz, and Merlot are also well suited and produce full flavoured wines.

McLaren Vale
Located approximately 40 minutes south of Adelaide the McLaren Vale region is situated close to the sea amongst green pastures and olive groves. The region is made up of a mixture of wineries ranging from new to very old and from small to medium in size.
McLaren Vale has a dry Mediterranean climate and is generally hot, however it is tempered by sea breezes from the Gulf of St Vincent. This climate together with Ironstone and sandy loam soils produce high quality fruit for the production of intensely flavoured bottled wine.
McLaren Vale is known for rich, full-bodied reds from Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has also started to gain more recognition for producing Chardonnay, Grenache and Merlot.

Langhorne Creek
Located near McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek is regarded as one of the best-kept secrets in Australian Viticulture. The cooling breezes of the Great Southern Ocean sweeping over Lake Alexandrina help make Langhorne Creek a focus for fine cool climate wines.
Traditionally a red grape-growing region it is known for its production of outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Langhorne Creek reds are renowned for their soft tannins and full-flavoured fruit-driven palates, excellent depth of colour and medal winning quality. This region now also has a large area of high quality Chardonnay and Riesling.

Clare Valley
Situated north-west of the Barossa, settlers from England, Ireland and Poland first moved into the region during the 1840's, producing a rich heritage of architecture and villages which remain largely intact and make it one of Australia's most picturesque wine regions.
The climate of the region provides cool to cold nights and warm to hot summer days. Clare (and in particular the sub-region of Watervale) is famous for Riesling, but the area also produces some outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Coonawarra
Located in the southeast corner of the State, 400 km from Adelaide, this region has become famous for its red wines and for the Terra Rossa soil from which the vines flourish. The actual wine region stretches 30 km from north to south and is 2-3 km at its widest point.
The combination of a cool to warm climate and the region's famous terra rossa soil that sits on top of well-draining limestone produces some of Australia's most outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Padthaway
Situated near its more famous cousin, Coonawarra, this younger wine region shares the same 'red gold' soil of terra rossa but is significantly warmer and produces wine of great flavour and depth. The principal red varieties grown in this region are Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, however the region is famed for the style and quality of its Chardonnay.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Hunter Valley
The birthplace of Australian Wine and home to Australia’s oldest continuously operating winery – Wyndham Estate, established in 1828. Nestled under the Brokenback Ranges and two hours drive north of Sydney, the climate is warm to hot through the growing season with high humidity and rain. However, sea breeze and cloud cover that often rolls into the valley in the afternoons provides a moderating cooling effect.
Aged Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz are generally what the region is famous for, and the style of these wines are quite unique when compared with many other regions around Australia and around the world. The region also produces excellent examples of Chardonnay.

Mudgee
Mudgee is situated 256-km northwest of Sydney on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range. The climate throughout the growing season is warm to hot, but differs from the Hunter Valley in terms of overall rainfall, especially in summer. For over 150 years wine has been made here and the fruit produced is generally accepted as good quality. Mudgee produces full-bodied reds, mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon and also some excellent white wines from Chardonnay here

Riverina
The Riverina district is one of the largest grape growing areas in Australia. After both World Wars the area welcomed many European migrants, of whom many were Italian, and it is their influence that has shaped the Riverina wine industry. The Riverina is very hot and has the ability to produce high yields, which are possible due to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation scheme.
Summer rain helps to provide the humidity to produce botrytis cinerea (noble rot). It is the sweet wine style from the botrytis-affected Semillon for which the region is famous. The Riverina is planted with Semillon, Chardonnay, Marsanne, Verdelho, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The region supports many wine styles, from medium bodied dry red and white wines, to sparkling and fortified and also the sweet whites.

VICTORIA
With more than 20 wine regions in Victoria, only a selection have been described.
Victoria's wine history began in 1838 and Victoria was the premier wine State in Australia until the spread of phylloxera, a change in taste/market demand and the expansion of the wine trade in South Australia stunted growth in the State. However the industry has gone from strength to strength since the 1970's with viticultural regions once again encircling Melbourne.

Yarra Valley
A premium wine region east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is so close to the outer fringe of Melbourne that there is a danger of the urban sprawl restricting future growth. The climate is cool making it ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bottled wines for which it is renowned, as well as sparking wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are also grown.

Mornington Peninsula
Directly south of Melbourne and approximately one hour's drive, this picturesque region comprises mostly small boutique wineries. Cool climate also, this region produces excellent Pinot Noir, Chardonnay as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Riesling.

Geelong
Located west of Melbourne, Geelong was devastated by Phylloxera in the late 1800's but was reborn in the mid 1960's. Geelong remains a small but premium cool climate region strongly influenced by its windy coastal location. The region is famous for some of Australia's best Pinot Noirs, as well as Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Macedon Ranges
Similar in climate to the Champagne region in France, production here concentrates on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, often used as a base for sparkling wine.

Goulburn Valley
Established in the 1850's this region is located in central Victoria and growing Marsanne, Viognier, Roussanne and Shiraz. The region claims to be the 'home of Rhone varieties' in Australia. The climate is generally hot with slightly cooler areas within and is also known for its gutsy Shiraz.

Bendigo
Located in Central Victoria approximately 120 km north-west of Melbourne, Bendigo's climate is warm and dry making it renowned for red wines, especially minty Cabernet Sauvignon and rich berry fruit Shiraz.

Rutherglen
Situated on the banks of the Murray River, close to the NSW border, the wineries around Rutherglen are rich in history. The former gold mining town became a major centre for red and fortified wine once the gold ran out. Today it is Australia’s capital for fortified wine, especially liqueur Tokay and Muscat.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Australia's biggest state, Western Australia has the country's most isolated wine regions in its southwest corner. Since 1970 the area has undergone many changes with many new regions coming into existence, some of which are described here:

Swan Valley
The wine industry of Western Australia began in this area which is situated on the outskirts of Perth. One of Australia's hottest regions, the major varieties planted include Chenin Blanc, Verdelho and Shiraz. Typically the wines are soft, flavoursome, medium to full-bodied styles.

Margaret River
Located on the coast some 260-km south of Perth, this region, in a little over 30 years, has become a flourishing centre for an internationally recognised wine industry. The climate is maritime with long cool ripening periods and free draining soils, making it ideal for premium quality fruit. Responsible for only 1% of Australia's production, the region makes up as much as 20% of the premium wine market. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon, Pinot Noir and Shiraz varieties have won many accolades and are sought after both nationally and in international markets.

Great Southern
Great Southern is Australia's largest and Western Australia's coolest viticultural region and consists of five sub regions with a range of continental and maritime influences. Varieties that perform well include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.

TASMANIA
Tasmania is a small island with a sublime landscape off the southeast corner of Australia. The climate of the Tasmanian vineyards is cool, ideally suited for the production of superb, tightly structured sparkling wine from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and crisp, delicately flavoured bottled wines from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, wines notable for their finesse and naturally balanced acidity.

QUEENSLAND
Not surprisingly, due to the warmer and humid climate, Queensland only produces a small amount of wine compared with the other States. However, like other regions, vineyard developments are steadily on the increase. Queensland boasts the closest vineyard to the equator. Vineyards require a high altitude site to compensate for Queensland's hot climate.
The major region is called the Granite Belt. Vineyards are also found in the Roma, Mt Tamborine, Purga, and Amberley districts. Typically the wines are well-flavoured medium to full-bodied styles, mainly made from Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

(source:JACOB'S CREEK)

Wine Export - Licence Application & Fee

You will require this licence if you intend to export wine and other defined grape products. In order to obtain a licence, consideration is given to a number of defined criteria as set down in current legislation. Exporters of grape products are required to be licensed where individual shipments exceed 100 litres.

Act：Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation Act 1980

Fees：
Licence application fees are not refundable in the event that the applicant subsequently
withdraws the application or the AWBC decides not to grant the application.

Initial export licence application for one year.
Levy Payer*: $298.10
Non Levy Payer: $1,192.40
One year renewal for all Licence holders: $266.20

* A levy-payer is a winemaker who is liable to pay the levy pursuant to Schedule 26 to
the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999

Duration: All new licences expire on the following 31st May, irrespective of when the licence was issued. Your application can be submitted online at https://exports.awbc.com.au/exportlicence/

Associated Information There are certain prescribed criteria that are taken into consideration when assessing the application. They include the financial standing of the applicant, the applicants ability to obtain grape products from Australian suppliers, and other matters applicable to the applicant's experience relating to the promotion of wine, including any that may adversely affect the export of wine. Furthermore the applicant must have a place of business in Australia.

Two written commercial references must be supplied, one from the bank of the business making application, the other, a commercial reference. Where the business making the application is not a producer, assurances of supply are required from producers guaranteeing to supply the product.

Other documents include: Guide to Export - A Guide for Exporters of Australian Wine Available at http://wineaustralia.com/Australia/Default.aspx?tabid=263.

Contact Details:
Organisation: Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation
Contact Position: Licensing Officer
Telephone: 08 8228 2050
Postal Address: PO Box 2733 Kent Town SA 5071
Email: awbc@awbc.com.au

Wine Export - China (Label Requirement & Tarrif)

Label information required by China’s Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) includes:

• Name or brand of wine
• Ingredients
• Net Content (ml)
• Alcoholic Content (percent)
• Production Date (yy/mm/dd)
• Packer & Distributor
• Importer (name and address)
• Country of Origin
• Quality Guarantee and/or Storage Period (yy/mm/dd)
• Sugar Content (gram/I)

Above information can be printed on the back label, but necessary for wine code application.

Tariff on imported wine in China - 2007 Dec (source: www.wines-info.com)

i. The active rate of the imported bottle wine's tariff (The tax levied to pay by RMB)
1). Import Tax: 14% (CIF X 14%);
2). Value Added Tax: 17% (CIF + Import Tax Value) X 17%
3). Consumption Tax: 10% [ (CIF + Import Tax Value) / (1 - 10%)] X 10%

ii. The active rate of the imported bulk wine's tariff (The tax levied to pay by RMB)
1). Import Tax: 20% (CIF X 14%);
2). Value Added Tax: 17% (CIF + Import Tax Value) X 17%
3). Consumption Tax: 10% [ (CIF + Import Tax Value) / (1 - 10%)] X 10%

Remark: according to the China government and the Chile government bilateral preferential trade agreement policy the imported tariff ratio of Chilian wine: Below 2L is 12.6%. & Above 2L (including bulk wine) is 18%.

Wine Export - China (Market & Pricing)

The large and growing potential wine market in China offers many exciting opportunities for wine exporters, but dominating the high-end market, competition among exporters is fierce. Early market entrants like France and Italy have high market recognition and are known as 'Old World' suppliers of quality, premium wine products. Later market entrants like Australia, Chile and the USA are called 'New World'. Their wines are perceived as a little less prestigious but more value for money.

An expanding middle class, rising incomes, a growing interest in Western lifestyle and tastes, and better wine education have driven rise in consumption. While 80% of all wine consumed is red (it's perceived as healthier and red is the colour for good luck)

In China, domestic brands still dominate the large, price-sensitive market segment with 57 percent of red wine and 61 percent of white wine sold at under RMB60 (A$10) per litre. Mid-range wines (RMB60-120= A$10-20/L) continue to grow as consumers have higher disposable incomes and better wine education. Imported wines (retailing between A$16-65) are a much smaller market percentage, but opportunities for bulk shipping and bottling in China could greatly reduce import prices, bringing them on par with domestic wines. Premium wines constitute 10 percent of total volume sales. Expatriates and wine aficionados are the main target market for these wines.

In China, on-trade sales (clubs, pubs, bars) still lead wine sales (70 percent), but off-trade sales (supermarkets, discounters, direct sales) are showing an increase as people seek cheaper prices in boutiques, supermarkets and over the internet, and buy more wine as gifts.