CALIFORNIA WINEMAKERS VIE FOR THE EMERGING CHINESE PALATE

California wineries are attempting to spread their wings in China. As the largest wine consuming nation in Asia, although less advanced than Japan, Western wine-producing nations are lunging at this widely untapped market with enormous consumer potential. However, only 5.3% of the total volume sold in 2004 was foreign wine while imported spirits accounted for just 0.3% of Chinese consumption. So if California wine-producers can help develop the Chinese palate, than they’ll have a huge new market with a population