A Charles Ru, Beijing executive part of the new rich middle class is emerging in China, he loves the “bai jiu”, a kind of distilled rice residue having up to 60% alcohol. But in recent times, is setting aside his love for liquor has been fond ofred wine. “I drink it every day because it is softer than Chinese alcohol, where there are many copies and fakes that can be hazardous to health,” he explainsover a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild of the wineries, undoubtedly thebest-known brand the Asian giant. Each month, spends about 3,000 yuan (362euros) in 20 bottles of wine, mainly from France and Chile because “they are easier to find than the Spanish.”

Enriched under extraordinary economic growth of China, the new middle and upper class that has proliferated in large cities demand more and more foreign products quality or at least expensive. Not that tastes are too refined, and that is still mixing a large reservoir with ice or Seven Up, but nothing like aBordeaux or Rioja to amaze your friends.

Last year, China imported 920 million bottles vinode in less than two liters.With more than half of sales, stood at the head France (509 million), followed by Australia (139), Italy (56), Chile (49) and, fifthly, Spain (44), which has increased their numbers by five since 2009. In volume terms, Spain is in third place, but its sales have been based on a type of cheap wine, according to industry sources, it helps build an image of “country brand”. In containers of more than two liters, which reported 89 million euros, Spain leads the imports from China with 26 million.

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