Vino Joy News
Posts
WSET Cuts Fees—But Is Wine Education Fading in China?

WSET Cuts Fees—But Is Wine Education Fading in China?

Why On-Demand Alcohol Is Exploding/ China Busts $137M Smuggling Ring/ EU & India In Talks on Cutting Wine Tariffs

Natalie Wang
March 06, 2025

It’s been more than two years since WSET returned to China, but enrollment is struggling. Now, in a bid to boost numbers, the organization is slashing Level 1 course authorization fees—but will that be enough to turn things around?

Meanwhile, China’s spirits market is taking a hit, with brandy and whiskey imports plummeting in 2024 as high inventory levels and weakened demand weigh on sales.

But it’s not all bad news. India may be on the verge of slashing its hefty tariffs on wine and spirits, as the EU pushes for better trade terms amid looming U.S. tariff threats. In China, the rise of on-demand alcohol culture is fueling investor confidence—wine delivery app Jiu Xiao Er just secured $6.94 million in fresh funding, a sign that direct-to-consumer alcohol sales are booming.

Some markets are proving resilient despite global economic uncertainties. Ningxia’s wine exports soared 125% in 2024, while Japan’s sake exports climbed 6%, driven by strong demand in North America and Europe. Rioja also saw global growth, up 4.42%, with the U.K. and U.S. leading the charge. But in China? Rioja and sake are struggling, signaling shifting consumer preferences.

Regulators are also tightening their grip. In 2024, China busted a US$137 million wine and spirits smuggling ring in Zhuhai, one of the largest on record. Over in Hong Kong, the city’s leading retailer is undergoing a leadership shake-up, setting the stage for potential industry changes.

Stay on top of Asia’s fast-moving wine industry with our exclusive stories, and don’t forget to subscribe for premium insights and content.

WSET Slashes Fees in China as Wine Education Market Shrinks

With the wine education market under pressure, WSET and its partners are navigating a tougher, more competitive landscape—one where prestige alone is no longer enough to drive enrollment.

EU Pressures India to Cut Tariffs on Wine and Spirits Amid Trade Talks

The European Union is pushing India to lower tariffs on wine, spirits, and other key exports as part of efforts to boost bilateral trade, while concerns mount over potential U.S. tariff hikes on European goods under the Trump administration.

China Busts $137M Wine and Spirits Smuggling Ring in Zhuhai

The case, valued at more than RMB 1 billion (US$137.2 million), is one of the largest ever recorded in China’s wine and spirits sector.

Hong Kong’s Leading Retailer Announces New Leadership Changes

Dairy Farm Internatinal Group (DFI), the operator of Hong Kong’s leading supermarket and retail chains including Wellcome and 7-Eleven convenience stores.

Rioja Wine Exports Rise 4.42% While Sales in China Plunge 30%

Spain’s Rioja wine exports grew 4.42% in 2024, buoyed by strong demand in the United Kingdom and United States, even as the global wine market continued to contract.

China’s Wine Delivery App Scores 50M — Here’s Why On-Demand Alcohol Is Exploding

In New York or Paris, bringing your own wine to a restaurant often means facing steep corkage fees—or being turned away entirely. But in China, it’s a different story. Diners can freely bring and pour their own bottles, fueling a growing booze-on-demand culture that has transformed the way alcohol is bought and consumed.

Leading this revolution is Jiu Xiao Er (酒小二 meaning “drinks server” in English), a wine and spirits delivery app that just secured ¥50 million (US$6.94 million) in fresh funding, underscoring the explosive growth of China’s on-demand alcohol market.

Japan’s Sake Exports Rise in 2024

Japan’s sake exports grew 6% in 2024, driven by strong demand in North America and Europe, while sales in Asia, its largest market, declined, according to data released by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS).

Ningxia Wine Exports Surge 125%, Former Hong Kong Leader Says

Exports of Ningxia wine surged 125% in 2024 despite a global economic downturn that weakened wine sales, former Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said at a recent wine event.

On the Rocks: China’s Brandy and Whiskey Imports Take a Tumble in 2024

China’s imported spirits market experienced a sharp downturn in 2024, with brandy and whiskey imports plummeting under the weight of high inventory levels and waning demand.