Moet bets on sparkling wine in China

  • Associated Press
  • Wednesday, October 1, 2014 3:27pm
  • Business

YONGNING COUNTY, China — France’s Moet Hennessy is betting on China’s taste for bubbly with the launch of sales this month by the first foreign-owned Chinese winery devoted to sparkling wine.

China’s appetite for Western-style wines has boomed in the past two decades, though the favorite still is red, a color associated with health and good luck.

Sparkling wine consumption more than tripled from 3.7 million bottles in 2009 to more than 13 million last year, according to International Wine and Spirit Research, a British firm. During the same period, total wine consumption rose from 5 billion to 8.8 billion bottles.

“More and more young people, more and more white collar employees, office ladies, enjoy wine and also sparkling wine,” said Shen Yang, director of Moet Hennessy’s Chandon winery in the Ningxia region of China’s northwest.

“We will bring this wine to the dinner tables, into the home and into the life of these young and energetic people,” said Shen.

Sparkling wine also might get a boost from an 18-month-old campaign by the ruling Communist Party to press officials to rein in lavish spending on entertaining.

The campaign has hurt sales of high-end spirits, but Shen said it has focused the attention of more sophisticated young urban drinkers on alternatives such as wine.

China is now the world’s fifth-biggest producer of wine, as well its fifth-biggest consumer.

A Chinese state-owned brand, Chateau Sungod, also makes sparkling wine but has so far marketed it primarily for banquets and official functions.

While red wines are the staple of traditional gift packages in China, sparkling wines are increasingly seen as modern and fun, said Jim Boyce, a China-based wine blogger.

“When you look at what people actually like to drink, what they enjoy, white wine does very well and increasingly sparkling wine does very well,” Boyce said.

The wooden doors on Moet Hennessy’s winery building have the look and feel of wine barrels and its rooftop terrace overlooks the Helan mountains.

In a field in which most foreign producers are required to work through joint ventures with Chinese partners, the government took the unusual step of allowing Moet 100 percent ownership of its winery in an effort to promote growth of the industry.

The surrounding vineyard of Chardonnay and Pinot noir grapes is a joint venture with a Chinese company.

Foreign companies that build chateaus and winery buildings can own them for 70 years under the initiative, according to Cao Kailong, director of Ningxia’s Bureau of Grape and Floriculture Development.

This year, Moet Hennessey plans to sell about 70,000 bottles of its 2012 vintage from Ningxia. Plans call for production of 250,000 bottles from the 2013 vintage for sale next year and then 300,000 of this year’s vintage for sale in 2015.

The China version has been tweaked for a palate not used to the acidity normally found in champagne, said Gloria Xia, a winemaker at the Ningxia winery.

“We would stress the aroma and the texture would be very fresh and more balanced,” she said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

Allan and Frances Peterson, a woodworker and artist respectively, stand in the door of the old horse stable they turned into Milkwood on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Old horse stall in Index is mini art gallery in the boonies

Frances and Allan Peterson showcase their art. And where else you can buy a souvenir Index pillow or dish towel?

Everett
Red Robin to pay $600K for harassment at Everett location

A consent decree approved Friday settles sexual harassment and retaliation claims by four victims against the restaurant chain.

magniX employees and staff have moved into the company's new 40,000 square foot office on Seaway Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Everett, Washington. magniX consolidated all of its Australia and Redmond operations under one roof to be home to the global headquarters, engineering, manufacturing and testing of its electric propulsion systems.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Harbour Air plans to buy 50 electric motors from Everett company magniX

One of the largest seaplane airlines in the world plans to retrofit its fleet with the Everett-built electric propulsion system.

Simreet Dhaliwal speaks after winning during the 2024 Snohomish County Emerging Leaders Awards Presentation on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Simreet Dhaliwal wins The Herald’s 2024 Emerging Leaders Award

Dhaliwal, an economic development and tourism specialist, was one of 12 finalists for the award celebrating young leaders in Snohomish County.

Lynnwood
New Jersey company acquires Lynnwood Land Rover dealership

Land Rover Seattle, now Land Rover Lynnwood, has been purchased by Holman, a 100-year-old company.

Szabella Psaztor is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Szabella Pasztor: Change begins at a grassroots level

As development director at Farmer Frog, Pasztor supports social justice, equity and community empowerment.

Simreet Dhaliwal is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Simreet Dhaliwal: A deep-seated commitment to justice

The Snohomish County tourism and economic specialist is determined to steer change and make a meaningful impact.

Nathanael Engen, founder of Black Forest Mushrooms, an Everett gourmet mushroom growing operation is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Nathanael Engen: Growing and sharing gourmet mushrooms

More than just providing nutritious food, the owner of Black Forest Mushrooms aims to uplift and educate the community.

Owner and founder of Moe's Coffee in Arlington Kaitlyn Davis poses for a photo at the Everett Herald on March 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Kaitlyn Davis: Bringing economic vitality to Arlington

More than just coffee, Davis has created community gathering spaces where all can feel welcome.

Emerging Leader John Michael Graves. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
John Michael Graves: Champion for diversity and inclusion

Graves leads training sessions on Israel, Jewish history and the Holocaust and identifying antisemitic hate crimes.

Gracelynn Shibayama, the events coordinator at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gracelynn Shibayama: Connecting people through the arts and culture

The Edmonds Center for the Arts coordinator strives to create a more connected and empathetic community.

Eric Jimenez, a supervisor at Cocoon House, is an Emerging Leader. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Eric Jimenez: Team player and advocate for youth

As an advocate for the Latino community, sharing and preserving its traditions is central to Jimenez’ identity.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.