Grape Wall of China

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

China Customs investigation: ASC Managing Partner out of detention

By Jim Boyce As noted here on March 13, Chinese Customs has been investigating wine importers to see if they have under-declared the value of incoming goods. The largest importer, ASC Fine Wines, has been among those under closest scrutiny, with both Managing Partner Don St. Pierre, Jr and Vice President Carrie Xuan held in [...]

Lessons learned: Training 2,000 restaurant workers in China

By Yvonne Chiong   Since my last post, I have completed more than 30 two-hour training sessions with restaurant employees in China – all over Shanghai as well as in Beijing and Hong Kong. The idea was to give them a basic understanding of wine.   I find it interesting that even I, someone who [...]

Tasting time: Beijing

By Jim Boyce Upcoming Beijing wine-related events Thursday, April 10, 8 PM, Palette Vino Shunyi Inaugural live jazz performance, RSVP with Leo at 8046-4461 Thursday, April 10, 6 PM, Carrefour (Shuangjing store), free 2008 Beijing April Wine Fair launch; wine tasting, live music, 20 percent discount on wines; to get an invitation, send your name, [...]

Crown Wine Cellars: Beijing version to open tomorrow

By Jim Boyce Crown Wine Cellar in Hong Kong is a wee bit fancier than the Beijing digs  The “grand opening” of the Crown Wine Cellar in Beijing is slated for tomorrow (April 10) at the new Crown Worldwide storage and logistics center outside the Fifth Ring Road. I toured the venue a few weeks [...]

Wine Spectator, IHT, AP report on Customs investigation of wine importers in China

By Jim Boyce Wine Spectator has posted an article about the detention of Don St Pierre, Jr., managing partner of ASC Fine Wines, by Customs authorities in Shanghai. One of the major figures in China’s burgeoning wine industry—Don St Pierre Jr., managing partner of the import-distribution company ASC—has been detained and held without charge by [...]

Interview: Torres China GM Alberto Fernandez

By Jim Boyce Alberto Fernandez has been running the China operations of Torres since the year 2000. I interviewed him about his take on China’s wine scene, Torres’ relationship with local winery Grace Vineyard, the preferences of Chinese consumers, the rapid growth of wine importers and imports, and more. Torres China General Manager Alberto Fernandez [...]

Wet your whistle: Upcoming Beijing wine events

By Jim Boyce Upcoming Beijing wine events April 3, 7:30-9:30 PM, Ganglamedo, RMB88 Wine / networking party for charity, by Local Noodles / Torres; with wine from five countries; RSVP at 6416-7036. April 4, 6:30 PM, Sequoia Café (Sanlitun), RMB100 Port tasting, including a ruby, tawny, reserve and white; RSVP with Frank at frank.siegel@gmail.com / [...]

Interview: Steve Clarke of China Silk wines

By Jim Boyce One quirk of China’s wine makers is that some of their brands are easier to find abroad than at home. I email interviewed Steve Clarke of China Silk, an export-only wine outfit based in Xinjiang, in the country’s far northwest, and asked him about the company’s wines, export strategy, and marketing strategies. [...]

Done deal? China’s Great Wall winery to acquire Penfolds

Note: I just received this information from guest contributor P.A. Make sure to check out his comment at the bottom of this post. By Joyce Bim Top Chinese winery Great Wall today announced it will acquire Australian wine label Penfolds. Southcorp, the label’s owner, confirmed the deal is all but done, but refused to release [...]

« go back

  • About Grape Wall of China


    beijing-boyce-grape-wall-of-china-logo

    A nonprofit blog by wine professionals and consumers.


    Follow on Weibo, Twitter
    and Facebook.
    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