China’s Wine Imports Overtakes Spirits

China’s Non-Alcoholic Wine Booms Is All Business/ India's Mysterious Spanish Wine Surge/ South Australia Wine Exports

Author

Natalie Wang
May 02, 2025

China’s wine market is showing new signs of life. For the first time since 2021, wine has overtaken spirits to once again become the country’s most valuable imported alcoholic beverage. That’s not the only milestone: South Australian wine exports to China have recovered to 80% of their pre-tariff levels.

E-commerce is playing a central role in this rebound. JD.com’s Q1 2025 figures show growth in wine and spirits on its self-operated platform, while traditional distribution channels continue to face mounting pressure.

One of the key trends that has swept across the globe is the rise of non alcoholic wine. In China, it is gaining ground but not for reasons seen elsewhere. Unlike global trends driven by health and wellness, China’s demand is rooted in necessity. These wines are increasingly poured not at parties, but in boardrooms and business banquets, where alcohol-free options are prized for their subtle diplomacy.

In a move no one could have predicted a few years ago, Tmall Global has been inducted into Bordeaux’s prestigious wine order for its role in boosting the region’s visibility and sales in China.

In company news, LVMH has released its Q1 wine and spirits earnings. Meanwhile, our analysis of China’s publicly listed wine companies reveals a sharply divided picture, with some outperforming expectations while others continue to stumble.

And in India, Spain didn’t just lead wine imports — it dominated, accounting for over 90% of the country’s total in 2023. But the surge was short-lived. Just as quickly as it rose, it faded — and curiously, even importers, distributors, and wineries are at a loss to explain what caused the spike.

To help you navigate these changing dynamics, we’ve just released our most comprehensive resource yet: China’s Top 100 Wine Importers—a 237-page report detailing the key players and regional market trends shaping the future of wine in China.

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China’s Wine Imports Overtakes Spirits

This marks the first time since 2021 that wine has overtaken spirits in total import value, reversing the trend that began when spirits eclipsed wine that same year.

Bordeaux Inducts Tmall Global into its Elite Order

Traditionally reserved for individuals, the induction honors Tmall Global’s role in promoting Bordeaux wine culture and deepening Sino-French exchange.

JD.com’s Wine & Spirits Sales Soar 40%

JD.com’s self-operated wine and spirits arm jumped 40% year-over-year at the start of 2025, the company said, but it is grappling with uneven wine quality and undercutting by low-priced parallel imports.

India’s Imports of Spanish Wine Soared 30,000% in 2023 — But No One Seems to Know Why

India recorded a staggering 30,017% surge in Spanish wine imports in 2023 — yet the spike caught nearly everyone in the industry by surprise.

LVMH Reports Q1 Results: Wine Sales Dip 1%, Spirits Slide 17%

Luxury giant LVMH posted first-quarter 2025 revenue of €20.311 billion, down 2% year-on-year. Its Wines & Spirits division generated €1.305 billion, an 8% decline.

China’s Non-Alcoholic Wine Booms Is All Business

While Gen Z consumers in the West are ditching booze for wellness and health, sipping non-alcoholic wines at bars and restaurants, in China, the trend is unfolding in boardrooms and banquet halls. Here, non-alcoholic wine isn’t solely about wellness — it’s about necessity, reflecting a distinctly Chinese style of consumption.

China’s Top 100 Importers

The 237-page report offers an in-depth analysis of regional dynamics and market opportunities across North China, Northeast China, East China, South Central, Southwest, and Northwest China. It identifies the top 100 wine importers currently operating in mainland China. This regional breakdown provides a clear picture of where market influence is concentrated—and how each part of the country is shaping the growth and transformation of wine consumption in China.

China’s Listed Wine Companies See Diverging Fortunes as Industry Restructures

China’s listed wine producers reported sharply divergent performances in 2024, highlighting the industry’s uneven recovery and ongoing structural challenges as domestic brands struggle to compete with imports and adapt to a shifting consumer landscape.

South Australian Wine Exports to China Recover to Over 80% of 2020 Peak

South Australia’s wine exports to China have bounced back strongly, reaching AUD 790 million in the 12 months to February 2025 — more than 80% of the historic 2020 peak.

Falic Group Appoints Former Moët Hennessy Executive to Head BlockBar

Falic Group has named Laurent Boidevezi, a former senior executive at Moët Hennessy, as advisor to President Leon Falic. Boidevezi will also lead global business development across the group’s eight Houses and serve as CEO of its digital collectibles arm, BlockBar.

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