33 - China

Question 1

Describe the growing conditions common in China’s wine-producing regions. Use the examples of Shandong, Xinjinag, and Yunnan.

Answer 1

Continental often with very cold, dry winters

Many regions experience heavy summer rainfall

Due to size of country growing conditions do vary considerably e.g.

Shandong on coast has warm maritime climate with problems of rot

Xinjinag extremely dry (80mm) adnvery continental with warm summers but growing season short, with winter snow arriving in October; altitude provide moderation >1100m –> few problems with disease but significant risk of frost in spring and autumn

Yunnan sub-tropical and humid with altitude 1900-2600m with no need to bury vines

Question 2

The extreme continentality in many of China’s wine-producing regions necessitate what? (2)

Answer 2

1. Vines must be buried to stop them from being killed - requires manual labour that adds 20-30% to cost; severe shortages of skilled labour in many rural areas
2. Irrigation

Question 3

What unique system of training is used in China and why?

Which systems is this often replacing and why?

Answer 3

Chang system spur-pruned vines with trunk trained bending down for easy burial

Replacing systems like Multi Cordon Fan which have multiple fruiting zones causing uneven ripeness and suit high yields

Question 4

Name factors that have caused quality problems in China (6)

Answer 4

1. Dense canopies
2. Extensive fertilisers
3. Excessive irrigation

All three support high yield, low quality fruit

4. Focus on Cab and Carmenere prone to green flavours
5. Lack of viticultural training and expertise
6. Lack of good quality planting material –> becoming less of an issue

Question 5

How does the political system make improving viticultural quality more difficult?

Answer 5

Gov’t control over agricultural land means changes must be sanctioned by bureaucracy

It is difficult to independent advisors to overhaul viti in vineyards

Question 6

Which grape varieties are most widely planted in China?

Answer 6

Question 7

Describe winemaking in China. To what extent has it improved?

Answer 7

Red BDX –> heavy extraction, extended oak ageing for premium wines

Significant improvement with less VA and Brett + better ability to extract given that improved canopy mngt –> more phenolic ripeness

Question 8

Describe changes in the market for wine in China (4).

Answer 8

5th largest market for wine in the world

Rapidly growing middle-class driving growth - 70% increase 2007-17

Per capita consumption remains low - 1.5L c.f 12L in US

Premium wine growth slowed by official crackdown on gift-giving

Question 9

Outline the structure of production in China.

Where is most Chinese wine sold?

Answer 9

Dominated by three large companies including the state-owned Great Wall

Difficult to mass-produce wine so rely on blending with imported wine

Some small wineries have int’l rep e.g. Ao Yun

But almost all wine consumed domestically –> online sales increasingly important but in-person via retail and hospo remains strong esp. with no restrictions on when alcohol can be sold