Grape Wall of China

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

China winery visit: Six photos from Helan Qing Xue in Ningxia

By Jim Boyce I accompanied Li Demei and Ch’ng Poh Tiong this week on a winery tour of Xinjiang and Ningxia, which included stops at Tuoling Winery close to Turpan in the former region and at Helan Qing Xue, Xi Xia King and Helan Mountain  not far from the capital, Yinchuan, in the latter region. [...]

Finding Jiabeilan: Award-winning Chinese wine yet to sign with distributor

Ever since English magazine Decanter validated* Chinese wine Jiabeilan by giving it an “international trophy“– the first for a wine from this country — at its World Wine Awards, I have received a steady stream of text messages, emails and phone calls not only about where to buy a bottle but also about how to get [...]

Wine-wine situation in Beijing: Torres and Tri-Nations tasting on Saturday

There will be plenty of popping and pouring on Saturday afternoon as two major wine tastings are on the schedule. Torres China will hold its fifth annual Taste of the Nations from 2 PM to 5 PM at Xu Xian Restaurant on Workers Stadium grounds. Tickets are rmb228 and include  free flow of 150 wines from [...]

China Wine Press: Jancis Robinson vs bankers, Aces Winery, more Lafite

All the wine world’s a stage and China keeps getting bigger roles. China Wine Press looks at media coverage of that drama, with each item preceded by an inane comment from me, just to keep things real. By J. Boyce – (I bet those investment bankers know how to multiply by ten.) China’s size makes [...]

Grace’s new twist on wine: Is China at its screw cap moment?

- By Jim Boyce There is a good chance Grace Vineyard will use screw caps for part of its upcoming vintage. This strikes me as significant given the stature of Grace, widely considered the success story of the millennium when it comes to quality wine in China, and the dominance of cork and plastic closures [...]

Go west (far west): Cider maker wanted in China

- Someone from our sister city to the south (Shanghai) contacted me here in the north (Beijing) to see if I know of anyone who has experience making cider and would be interested in working on a small project in the west (the “far” west, he says). In terms of directions, that only leaves out the [...]

Wine Australia: Key staff leave for Treasury, Torres China

Tough semester for the China branch of Wine Australia and its A+ program as two key staff members — Summer Yan, involved since the start, and Reno Liu — have left. Willa Yang, in Shanghai, remains as head of the China office, while Lucy Anderson continues to direct Asia operations from Hong Kong. Liu will [...]

Va-va-vroom! China wine imports this year: France continues to race ahead

France continues to kick the competition around in China as it not only has remained far in the lead as a source of imported bottled wine but also has increased its market share this year, according to China Customs for January through June.* The statistics show 60 percent growth, year on year, with France outperforming [...]

  • About Grape Wall of China


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    A nonprofit blog by wine professionals and consumers.


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  • 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