Legacy Wine and Spirits International Ltd. (LWSP:0.93, -0.02, -2.1%) reports that the company has begun the process of importing select brands of Chianti, Syrah, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo, Nero d' Avalo and others from the wine producing regions of Sicily, Venice, Piedmont and other lesser known areas of Italy.

As reported by the wine website www.italianmade.com, Italy's glowing reputation with wine is due not only to the fact that it produces and exports more than any other country but that it offers the greatest variety of grapes, covering the spectrum of color, flavor and style in wine. A vast majority of Italian grapes and varietals can only be grown in Italy and thus fall under the strict regulations of the Italian government's appellation system.

According to the International Wine and Spirit Record, Chinese wine sales could grow by more than 80% by 2011. China, currently the leading wine market in Asia and 10th in global consumption (soon to be ninth), is one of the fastest-growing markets on the planet. Recently American auction house Acker Merrall & Condit held its first auction in Hong Kong in May and sold more than $8 million worth of wine in one day, setting a new record for Asia.

"China is the great hope of wine producers and retailers around the world. There has been a lot of talk about the Chinese market among retailers and distributors, who cite its large population, or perhaps more relevantly, its burgeoning middle-class. We are looking forward to developing a strong bond between 'old world' Italian wine culture and the 'new world' Chinese consumer," states Company president Marc Scheive.