The Bull Market for Wine Imported to China Began Over a Decade Ago: RGLC reports that the Chinese Customs Service estimates annual wine imports have grown 57 fold since 1995, to 41 million litres from 711,000 litres. This dramatic trend line is supported by data from the U.S. International Trade Commission:

Other Wine Exporters Recognize the China Opportunity: Australian wine producers also recognize the opportunity for distribution in China, as evidenced by comments from South Australia Agriculture Minister following a recent visit. As noted in a May 2008 Australian Broadcasting Corporation entitled "Chinese Appetite for Premium Wine Exports":

"South Australia's Agriculture Minister (Rory McEwen) thinks there are big opportunities for South Australian wine exports to China." According to McEwen: "What is obvious is not only the demand and the understanding of Australian wines but, more importantly, they're starting to move to price brackets where there's a margin for our growers."

The Castel Group, France's largest wine producer, reported in November 2008 that it had doubled its wine sales in China. As Castel marketing director, Franck Crouzet, noted in an interview with online magazine decanter.com:

"The general progression from hard alcohol to wine consumption in China seems certain to continue."