Wine consumption In China

China's interest in wine has grown steadily since the 1990s. With no wine tradition of their own, Chinese are adopting wine as a healthy, new, low-cost alternative to traditional drinks like imported Cognac or Chinese spirits. An expanding middle class, rising incomes, a growing interest in Western lifestyle and tastes, and better wine education have driven this rise in consumption.

In the past, wine was sipped, served as a shot or with a mixer, like spirits. But now Chinese are adopting more Western-style wine drinking and appreciation, and drinking wine has a strong, social status. While 80% of all wine consumed is red (it's perceived as healthier and red is the colour for good luck), white wine consumption is also slowly rising, especially in south China.