China
China is both an ancient producer of fermented beverages, such as rice wine, and a rapidly growing modern producer and consumer of grape wine. Today, it stands among the largest global markets for imported wine, while domestic viticulture has expanded significantly since the late 20th century.[1]
Background
Fermented drinks have a long history in China, with rice-based wines such as huangjiu and shaoxing central to cultural and culinary traditions. Grape wine was introduced during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) via Central Asia and the Silk Road but remained a minor element compared to rice-based fermentation.[2]
The first modern vineyards were planted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often under foreign influence. Following the reforms of the 1980s, China’s wine industry expanded rapidly, supported by state initiatives and joint ventures with international producers.[3]
Wine Production
China is now among the world’s largest vineyard holders, although a significant proportion is devoted to table grapes rather than wine production.[4]
Key producing regions include Ningxia, Shandong, Hebei, and Xinjiang. Each faces challenges linked to climate, such as severe winter cold—often requiring vine burial — and summer humidity that encourages disease.[5]
The most widely planted varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Gernischt, a grape genetically identified as Carménère. Ningxia in particular has achieved international recognition, with estate-grown reds considered benchmarks for modern Chinese wine.
Imports and Consumption
China became one of the largest wine import markets in the world during the early 21st century. French wines, particularly from Bordeaux, dominated early demand, followed by strong growth in imports from Australia, Chile, and Spain.[6]
Wine consumption in China is heavily urban and often associated with business culture, hospitality, and symbols of modern lifestyle. Despite rising domestic production, imports remain a substantial part of the market, though consumer interest in domestic wines has grown steadily.
Cultural Role
Traditional rice wines continue to hold an important place in rituals, cuisine, and regional identity. In contrast, grape wine has become closely tied to modernisation, internationalisation, and changing urban consumer habits. Younger generations, especially in cities, are more open to experimenting with both foreign and local wines, positioning China as both a producer and influential global market.
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Sun & Zhao, Chinese Wine Industry: History and Development, China Agricultural Press, 2012. (Chinese original)
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, 2015.
- ↑ OIV, “State of the World Vitivinicultural Sector”, oiv.int.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.
- ↑ Fong, Wine and the Cultural Politics of Consumption in China, Routledge, 2019.