Grape Wall of China

A China Wine Blog: The Scene in the World’s Largest Market

Go East: China Wine Tours to start in March

By Jim Boyce China Wine Tours will bring its first official group to the Middle Kingdom this March for a 13-day itinerary that takes in wineries and cultural and historic sites. Last Sunday, I met Marc Curtis of China Wine Tours in Beijing and talked to him about the project. What’s the concept behind China [...]

Tasting time: Beijing

- By Jim Boyce Note: It’s always best to double-check the details with the event organizers.  November 28, 7 PM, Loong Bar – JW Marriott (RMB150) Taittinger Champagne tasting, by Torres, with guest Clovis Taittinger; RSVP with Sophie Sun (5165-519, x208 / sophie@torres.com.cn). November 29, 7 PM, Aria Restaurant – China World Hotel (RMB888) Sacred Hill wine [...]

Tasting time: Shanghai

- By Peter Wright November 29-December 1, Shanghai Exhibition Centre Italian wine exhibition, hosted by the Institute of Fine Italian Wine. The institute will hold a tasting at Otto Restaurant and Bar, December 1 (see www.otto-cafe.com for more info). December 1, Otto, 7-9 PM (RMB1008) Mumm Champagneand truffle dinner (bookings via www.otto-cafe.com). December 1, 7.30 [...]

How can I sell my wines in China? Part 1

- By Dan Siebers This is part 1 of 5. Many people wonder, “How can I sell my wines in China?” They’ve heard so much about the booming China market and don’t want to be left behind. But the questions they should ask are, “Should I sell my wines in China?” or “When should I [...]

Another wine and Sprite joke? Put a cork in it

- By Jim Boyce  Question: Is it true that people in China mix wine with Sprite? Answer: Yes. I have witnessed hundreds of people indulge in this practice that raises the wrath of the wine-loving world. Ironically, most imbibers are foreigners and the smoking gun, so to speak, is none other than… the Champagne cocktail. [...]

Soaked in Shanxi: Non-vintage weather means challenges

- By Judy Leissner This year was a tough one for the grapes in Shanxi province, home of Grace Vineyard. Things started very well – in June and July everything was perfect, everyone was excited and we thought we would have an excellent vintage. But in September we had 15 days of rain, making it [...]

An unhealthy marriage: The gap between grape growers and wine consumption

- By Huiqin Ma A French filmmaker made a documentary about the Sino-French Demonstration Farm just outside of Beijing. He showed how wines were taken to the farmers after the harvest so they and the winery staff could taste them together. The scenes were very warming. However, I cannot help but wonder whether, except for [...]

Shanghai: The two best wine deals in town

By Peter Wright As a big wine drinker, it is pleasing to see an increasing number of bars, restaurants, retailers and wholesalers hold wine tastings, wine promos or offer value-for-money wines by the glass. However, two places stand out way ahead of the pack. They are: (1) Sasha’s (corner of Hengshan and Dongping Roads), which [...]

Grape Wall of China 2.0: Huiqin Ma

Grape Wall of China will soon begin including contributions from people involved in the Greater China wine scene as academics, winemakers, distributors, educators or consumers. To kick things off, I will post a profile each day. (For more China wine info, join the Grape Wall of China group on Facebook and/or sign up for my [...]

Grape Escape: Marriott provides a Pinot getaway

Sir Campbell Thompson and I had a sneak preview of JW Marriott’s soon-to-open Pinot restaurant in Beijing, where (not surprisingly) the wine list only offers Pinot. Restaurant manager Jurrien Bongers says wines from 15 distributors are included on the menu. It impressed Sir C. “I think this wine list is a breath of fresh air,” [...]

Timeout to publish wine guide

Timeout magazine will publish a wine guide. Gabe Suk, who writes the wine column for the magazine’s Beijing edition, is heading up the project. Expect also to see a number of wine books appearing in the market, including several bilingual (English / Chinese) one as well as some Web sites focused on wine. More on these [...]

Grape Wall of China 2.0: Peter Wright

Grape Wall of China will soon begin including contributions from ten people involved in the Greater China wine scene as academics, winemakers, distributors, educators or consumers. To kick things off, I will post a profile each day. (For more China wine info, join the Grape Wall of China group on Facebook and/or sign up for [...]

Grape Wall of China 2.0: John Isacs

Grape Wall of China will soon begin including contributions from ten people involved in the Greater China wine scene as academics, winemakers, distributors, educators or consumers. To kick things off, I will post a profile each day. (For more China wine info, join the Grape Wall of China group on Facebook and/or sign up for my [...]

Tasting time: Beijing Beaujolais binge

Prepare your palates for these upcoming events on the Beijing wine circuit. No surprise, Beaujolais Nouveau is the wine du jour - yes, it’s a huge marketing gimmick, but the parties can be fun. For a change of pace, check out the Friday tasting at Sequoia Cafe (Sanlitun), which takes a break from wine this week and has [...]

Wrap-up: The Hilton Food & Wine Experience

Rather than write a lengthy report about Saturday’s Food & Wine Experience at The Hilton, I thought it would be more fun to interview myself. Here we go: Was that you on The Hilton’s marble steps standing in front of a broken bottle of wine? It was. As I left, the paper bag provided by the organizers came [...]

Tasting time: Shanghai

Prepare your palates for these upcoming events on the Shanghai wine circuit. Thanks to Grape Wall of China contributor Winopete for the details: November 11: Torbreck wine tasting at Jazz 37 (RMB198) November 11: Jamie Oliver wine masterclass at Glamour Bar (RMB150) November 14: Vega-Sicilia (Spain) wine dinner with seven wines at Gui Hua Lou [...]

Grape Wall of China 2.0: Alain Leroux

Grape Wall of China will soon begin including contributions from ten people involved in the Greater China wine scene as academics, wine-makers, distributors, educators or consumers. To kick things off, I will post a profile each day. (For more China wine info, join the Grape Wall of China group on Facebook and/or sign up for [...]

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  • About Grape Wall of China


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    A nonprofit blog by wine professionals and consumers.


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    Email: beijingboyce at yahoo.com

  • Grape Wall Contributors


    In alphabetical order (see full list)


    Nicolas Carre
    Sommelier


    Chantal Chi
    Writer


    Yvonne Chiong
    Sommelier, consultant


    Judy Leissner
    Grace Vineyard CEO


    Alain Leroux
    Wine maker, consultant


    Li Demei
    Wine maker


    Huiqin Ma
    Professor


    Campbell Thompson
    The Wine Republic co-owner


    Brian Yao
    Consumer


    Frankie Zhao
    Pro-Wine Training & Consultancy owner


    Jim Boyce
    Consumer, blog administrator