Wenzhou imported 7.2 million dollars’ worth of wine last year

According to the statistics of Wenzhou Customs, Wenzhou’ wine imports last year were $7,195,876 by value and $3.72/liter at the average price, up 118.82% and 162.73% respectively over that of the year before last. Compared with the total imported volume of 1.77 ML in Hangzhou and 1.49 in Ningbo, Wenzhou’ 1.93 ML took the lead in Zhejiang province.

The wine dealers in Wenzhou fall into three categories. Some were involved in liquor business before doing wine business. Some are Returned Overseas Chinese who have easy access to international distributing right. Others are entering into wine business from other industries. Anyway, Wenzhou is a strategic place for wine dealers. They have been doing booming business with their international brands since several years ago. According to the statistics of Wenzhou Liquor&Beverage Chamber, there are 70 monopoly wine shops in Wenzhou, tripling the number in Aug, 2007.

The imported wines are mainly from France, Italy, Spain and other countries with the well-sold prices from ￥100 t￥300.Some high-end brands, such as Lafite, Margaux, Latour, Mouton, Haut-Brion and ChevalBlanc, are also welcome.

At present, wine dealers in Wenzhou take advantage of chain operation and provide door-to-door service for different customers. Nicolas Wine Company, the first imported wine monopoly company in Wenzhou, has been working on Wenzhou’wine market and making big profit from it since its establishment in 2006. Wenzhou people are also famous for their handsome drinking style. According to Wu Dexin, director of Wenzhou Liquor&Beverage Chamber, Wenzhou’s booming wine market is connected with its location, chain operation model, economic characteristics and people’s drinking style.