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China’s Wine Paradox: Boom, Bust, and What Now?
Why Global Spirits Giants Are Betting Big on China/ Watson’s Wine Cuts Spirits Prices by Up To 60%
Natalie Wang
December 04, 2024
What do the co-partner of China’s most disruptive wine company and the country’s top wine influencer have in common? More than you’d expect. In an exclusive interview, Dan Siebers of Wajiu Group shared a surprising link to Wang Shenghan, aka "Lady Penguin." Back in 1999, Siebers got his first job in China through Wang’s mother, a prominent environmental advocate. Fast forward to today, and the two are shaping China’s wine landscape in strikingly different ways. Read Siebers’ insights on China’s cyclical wine market, why he thinks China’s compulsive entrepreneurialism is behind the market’s boom and bust, and why he advocates for an “open marriage” strategy for wine brands.
This week, we’re spotlighting the people steering China’s wine industry through its transformations. Meet Cecilia Liu, who stepped up as director of the country’s leading wine retail chain, Pudao, last year, and Leon Liang, the driving force behind cult-like wine bar Sannianjian in Shanghai. Their stories offer a glimpse into the passion and persistence shaping the industry.
In other headlines, Hong Kong’s largest wine retailer, Watson’s Wine, is slashing spirits prices following the city’s tax cut, creating ripples across the market. Plus, don’t miss Mouton Rothschild’s highly anticipated 2022 label reveal, the booming whisky craze that’s driving lots of forein investment in China, Enoteca’s bold move into Vietnam, and Bourgogne’s ambitious climate goal and addition of four new Premier Crus. Also, trading down in South Korea is anohter trend to watch.
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China’s Wine Paradox: Boom, Bust, and What Now?
In this indepth interview with Dan Siebers, co-partner at Wajiu China,he reveals the highs and lows of the country's wine market—from its boom-and-bust cycles to the rise of hyper-fragmentation. With decades of experience, Siebers offers sharp insights into why wineries struggle, the cultural quirks driving volatility, and his unconventional advice of adopting "open marriage" strategy to thrive in Chinese wine market.
Bourgogne Aims to Achieve Carbon Neutral in 2035
 | The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) has set an ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, a milestone that President Laurent Delaunay described as essential for preserving the region’s winemaking legacy in the face of climate change. |
Château Mouton Rothschild Unveils 2022 Label Featuring Philippe de Rothschild
 | To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Philippe de Rothschild’s helm at the family estate the 2022 label features an original artwork by the French artist Gérard Garouste paying tribute to the baron. |
Whisky’s New Frontier: Why Global Spirits Giants Are Betting Big on China
 | Diageo, the world’s leading spirits company, marked a milestone in its China ambitions this month with the opening of its first whisky distillery in the country. |
From State-owned Company Executive to Wine Retailer: Leon Liang’s Journey
 | Leon Liang left a secure corporate career to pursue his passion for wine, a journey that began with blind tasting championships and led to the creation of Sannianjian, a chain of curated wine shops that blend cultural insight with expert selection. Here's the story of Sannianjiang, a haven for China's tight-knit wine community. |
Watson’s Wine Cuts Spirits Prices by Up To 60%
 | Following the announcement of Hong Kong’s spirits tax cut in Chief Executive John Lee’s 2024 Policy Address this October, Watson’s Wine—one of Asia’s Top 50 Wine Importers and a leading retailer in Hong Kong —reduced prices on over 100 premium spirits priced above HKD 1,000 (US$ 128.51) by up to 59.2%. |
Enoteca Opens Wine Business in Vietnam
Located in Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s most populous city, this launch marks the beginning of Enoteca’s wholesale business targeting Vietnamese hotels and restaurants.
Creating a Bigger Pie of the Chinese Wine Market: Pudao’s Journey
 | How has Pudao thrived in a challenging environment, and why is wine education and popularization a key focus of its business? We spoke with Celia Liu, who took over as director of Pudao last year, on the brand's 15-year journey in an evolving market and its vision. |
Koreans Turn to Budget-Friendly Wines as Demand Surges
 | Low-cost wines are gaining ground in South Korea as price-conscious consumers turn to directly sourced bottles priced under 10,000 won (US$7.06). |
JD.com Faces Scrutiny Over False Advertising Scandal
JD.com, a platform celebrated for its commitment to authentic products, is under fire after a wine and hairy crab promotion turned into a false advertising controversy. The incident has raised questions about the platform’s oversight capabilities, despite its claim of strict due diligence.
Bourgogne Adds Four New Premier Crus
 | Four climats from the Pouilly-Loché and Pouilly-Vinzelles appellations, located in the Mâconnais region of southern Bourgogne, are officially recognized as Premier Crus. |
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