Booming China is number one Bordeaux importer
According to figures released by the Bordeaux Wine Industry Association (CIVB), last year China surpassed Germany to become the world’s largest importer of French Bordeaux wines in terms of wine volume as well as transaction volume.
Mainland China now buys some 10 percent of all exports from the Bordeaux region, estimated Georges Haushalter, president of the CIVB.
The boom was driven in part by iconic great estates, but the bulk came from little chateaux selling wines for less than 4.50 euros, which accounted for two-thirds of the gains in volume.
Exports from the French winegrowing region rose 34 percent in value and 23 percent in volume between July 2010 and June 2011, the CIVB Bordeaux Wine Council told a press conference.
