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Penfolds Grange La Chapelle Launches in China But Will Consumers Bite?

Top 10 Best-Selling Wines at ALDI China/ China’s First Exhibition of Wine Artefacts/ Spanish Counterfeit Ring Targets China Again

Author

Natalie Wang
July 14, 2025

We begin with a stark reminder of the industry’s vulnerabilities: Spanish authorities have uncovered yet another counterfeit ring exporting fake “royal” wines to China, the second such case this year. As China’s wine market matures, so too do the risks lurking beneath its surface.

Penfolds Grange La Chapelle officially launches in China—its most critical and consequential market. While first unveiled in Paris, all eyes are now on how Chinese consumers respond to the brand’s ambitious Franco-Australian flagship. We spoke to key distributors for their take on what this release really means for the brand—and for the market.

The finalists for the 67 Pall Mall Global Wine Communicator Awards are out. From rising digital stars to seasoned educators, this year’s list reflects how far—and wide—wine storytelling has evolved.

In Shanghai, China’s first-ever exhibition of wine artefacts is inviting audiences to look beyond the bottle—exploring how wine intersects with culture, identity, and memory. Meanwhile in Beaune, Bonhams and Musique & Vin achieved a white-glove result in their inaugural charity auction.

Also, don’t miss on the top 10 most frequently repurchased wines from Aldi. What does it say about today’s consumers’ tastes?

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Top 10 Best-Selling Wines at ALDI China

In 2024, ALDI China reported RMB 2 billion (US$276 million) in revenue—doubling its sales from the previous year. Its wine offerings have also inadvertently inspired competitors to follow suit.

What are its most in-demand wines? A new ranking from ALDI offers surprising answers—hint: it’s not premium Bordeaux. Here are ALDI’s 10 most frequently repurchased wines, based on official data from the brand’s WeChat mini-program.

One of the wine fairs that’s quietly gaining traction is Barcelona Wine Week. For next year’s edition, organizer is aiming to attract over 20,000 visitors. See all the details here.

For a long time, there’s debate about the role of wine education in China.

Penfolds Grange La Chapelle Launches in China But Will Consumers Bite?

With a price tag more than double that of Grange, we spoke to Penfolds distributors to gauge whether Chinese consumers are willing to pay up—at a time when spending is tightening.

Finalists Announced for 67 Pall Mall Global Wine Communicator Awards

The finalists for the 2025 edition of the 67 Pall Mall Global Wine Communicator Awards have been announced, spotlighting standout talents from podcast, video production to longform writing.

Barcelona Wine Week 2026 Set to Break Records

Barcelona Wine Week (BWW), Spain’s flagship wine trade show, is set to return for its sixth edition from Feb. 2 to 4, 2026, with nearly all available exhibition space sold out and 95% of past participants returning.

China’s First Exhibition of Wine Artefacts Tells a Story Beyond the Bottle

There are no tastings, no labels on display. Instead, the show offers a look at the world that wine once moved through: trade, agriculture, correspondence, and marketing.

Bonhams and Musique & Vin Achieve White Glove Result in First Auction

Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr achieved a white glove result in its first-ever partnership with the Musique & Vin au Clos Vougeot festival, raising €351,700 from 72 wine lots in two auctions, with all proceeds supporting young musical talent.

Spanish Counterfeit Ring Targets China Again With ‘Royal Wine’

Spanish authorities have uncovered yet another wine counterfeiting operation involving fake Rioja wines exported to China—marking the second such case aimed at the Asian market that Spanish police have cracked in 2025.

Symington’s Matriarca: A New Home for the Next-Gen Wine Drinker

The Symington family, fifth-generation port and wine producers, has opened a new three-storey townhouse in the heart of Porto designed to engage a new generation of wine lovers.

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.

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