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Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Big wins and bold moves

Natalie Wang
December 23, 2025

I can’t believe we are the year end already!

I want to first of all thank all of our readers who took the time to read our news stories and read our newsletters. Thank you so much for all your support.

Suffice to say 2025 has been a tough year for the wine industry. In China, Australia’s comeback has propelled up the country’s imports value but that alone is not going to revivie the whole industry. The black swan event in May when Beijing banned alcohol, cigarettes and luxury dishes for government officials played a larger role and rippled through an already weak on-trade sector. Granted it hit wine hard but for Baijiu, the damages are far extensive.

As we round up the year, we are in the process talking to leading wine merchants in China to check how they define the market in the past year with one key word, so stay tuned for that.

Here are all the key news and headlines that you shouldn’t miss including ASC Fine Wines’ exclusive deal with Jacob’s Creek, China’s whisky ambition, and liquor market shakeup and more.

For more on the wine industry in China and Asia, be sure to subscribe to our website to read more subscriber-only content.

TWE Says Near-term Recovery ‘Unlikely’, Moves to Slash Inventories

Treasury Wine Estates said it is now “unlikely” to see a near-term improvement in sales in the United States and China – its two largest markets – and will cut hundreds of thousands of cases of shipments as inventories build up and pricing pressure intensifies.

‘Strategic Masterstroke’: ASC Lands Jacob’s Creek as Exclusive China Importer

ASC Fine Wines will become the exclusive importer and distributor of Jacob’s Creek in China from Jan. 1, 2026, in a deal that marks the relaunch of one of Australia’s most established wine brands in the market and the first major China move by newly formed wine group Vinarchy.

Waima’s Instant Alcohol Boom Hits ¥60 Billion

Waimai Alcohol Delivery, Meituan’s on-demand alcohol arm, is on track to double its transaction value in 2025, highlighting both the momentum — and mounting strains — in China’s fiercely competitive instant retail race.

China’s Liquor Retail Shake-Up Continues With Another Control Change

Instant liquor retail market went through another consolidation as another major player has changed hands: Henan Liquor Easy Trading Corporation Limited (酒便利), has sold about 51% of its equity through a court-supervised auction.

If you are looking for importers in China, reach out to us at [email protected]

Could China Become the World’s Next Major Whisky Producer?

With 50 whisky distilleries in operation, China’s whisky ambitions are racing ahead of consumption. Will the next major whisky producer be China?

Shaw + Smith Named Winery of the Year by UK Critic Matthew Jukes

Australian Adelaide Hills winery Shaw + Smith has been named Winery of the Year in London by leading British wine critic Matthew Jukes, in conjunction with the release of his annual 100 Best Australian Wines list.

Carlsberg Partners With Meituan’s Black Pearl Guide to Push Premium Beer in China

The partnership combines fine dining rankings with instant delivery, reflecting how beer brands are chasing new consumption moments.

From Amarone to Lugana: Zenato Finds Its Next Growth Engine in White Wine

As global wine markets shift into a new cycle, several traditional estates known primarily for their reds are now seeing renewed momentum led by their white wine portfolios. The Italian family estate Zenato is one of them.

What to Know About Australia’s Great Southern?

As global demand surges for elegant, cool-climate styles, one region in Western Australia has stepped into the spotlight—producing world-class Riesling, expressive Shiraz and Chardonnay of startling finesse.

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.

Exploring Geographe: Western Australia’s Diverse and Emerging Wine Region

Only about 1.5 hours by car from Perth, Geographe stretches from coastal plains to rolling hills and the bushland of the Ferguson Valley. Its varied landscape and maritime influence have made it one of Western Australia’s most charming and promising wine regions.