Grape Wall of China

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

Enjoy Wine: Aussie writer Jeremy Oliver releases first Chinese-language book

By Jim Boyce Australian writer Jeremy Oliver visited Beijing last week to promote his new Chinese-language book “Enjoy Wine” that he says will help “young Chinese people learn about wine in a way they are happy and comfortable with.” The book is split between explaining the basics, from opening a bottle to ensuring proper storage, [...]

Carrefour spring wine fair: Glasses, deals, and labels with animals galore

Note: My computer crashed this week, so posting has been light, but I have about two dozen articles in the queue. Lots of write-ups of talks with wine personalities, visits to wineries, and tastings coming soon. By Jim Boyce – The Carrefour wine fair, held twice per year, ranks among the best free public tastings [...]

Alder Yarrow of Vinography: Wine and Chinese food pairings as a ‘scam’, four overdone wine topics, and more

By Jim Boyce – Alder Yarrow of Vinography is often cited as among the most popular wine blogs, if not the most popular wine blog, in the world. I asked him about whether pairing wine with Chinese food is a “scam”, the four most overdone wine topics, the difference between wine bloggers and professional wine [...]

Leo Liu of Sureno: The Chinese wine palate, Aussie wines, and more

By Jim Boyce – Leo Liu has been interested in wine since he worked in a Dublin wine bar as a student. He is now operations manager for the restaurant Sureno, in Beijing boutique hotel Opposite House, and I talked to him about the wine selection there, his take on the Chinese palate, his recent [...]

Wine deal: Summergate to handle Pol Roger in mainland China, Macau

Wine importer and distributor Summergate has inked an exclusive deal to handle Pol Roger Champagne in China and Macau. According to a press release: … Summergate has been appointed the exclusive marketer, importer and distributor for Pol Roger Champagne in China and Macau. … Best known as Sir Winston Churchill’s favorite champagne and often referred [...]

Lafite in lala land? Bordeaux bigwig to make ‘Grand Cru’ in China

By Jim Boyce – About ten days ago, Decanter posted an “EXCLUSIVE” story to tell the world what pretty much anyone with a friend in the local wine industry here has known for ages, namely, that Chateau Lafite – the most esteemed foreign wine brand in China – will set up shop in this country: [...]

Robert Joseph to winery owners: Beware of Chinese wanting gifts

By Jim Boyce – - Robert Joseph writes on his blog that New Zealand winery owner Graeme Avery was scammed by an outfit in China that feigned interest in his products in order to get him to purchase an expensive artwork. The gift was to be given when the head of the Chinese company visited [...]

Making a wine bar work in Beijing: Olivier Six of Le Baie des Anges

By Jim Boyce – Despite all the talk about the growth of wine sales in China, and particularly in a city such as Beijing, wine bars that endure more than a few years are a rarity. I talked to Olivier Six, who runs La Baie des Anges in the Houhai area, about how the place [...]

Expanding to Hong Kong: Summergate scores Antinori account

Summergate is expanding its wine operation to Hong Kong, where it will be the exclusive distributor of Italian wine maker Antinori, which the company has long represented in mainland China. A Summergate press release states that the Hong Kong office is the company’s sixth, joining those in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Macau.

Pour your way to victory: Seeking China’s best sommelier

Koen Masschelein of Maison Boulud informs that the International Sommelier Association (ASI), organizers of the “Best Sommelier in the World Competition”, will hold its first contest in China. The initial selection rounds will be held in Beijing and Shanghai on April 28, with the top six candidates going to a final round on May 31. [...]

Tasting time Beijing: Jeremy Oliver, Carrefour, German wines, and more

After a prolonged absence, the wine events list is back, and just in time for some nice tastings: a blind one of Sauvignon Blanc that includes a vote at the end, a lineup of six German wines from three producers, and the upcoming (and free) opening of the Carrefour spring wine fair. To get pop-up [...]

Forget wine mixed with Sprite: Brits taken to task for adding milk to tea

A recent Google alert for “China wine” picked up the following story on the Internet (my highlights): It is a common sight in London: Friends gather for a midday break, pour some tea, and add… milk? While many Chinese might be appalled to see their national beverage ruined this way, it is typical fare in [...]

  • 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