Chinese brandy makers are increasing sales by harnessing French expertise to create quality and affordable products.
Leading Chinese winemaker Dynasty is seeing double-digit year-on-year sales growth for its VSOP and Napoleon brandies, said company CFO Rex Yeung.
He credited distilling technology and advice from joint-venture partner, France's Rémy Martin.
Brandy and sparkling wine together represent only 0.1% of the 55m bottles produced by Dynasty in 2008, but Yeung said: "Brandy helps us build our brand image."
A 750ml bottle of Napoleon retails at prices comparable to Hennessy and Courvoisier at RMB1,188 (US$174).
At the lower end of the market, a 110ml bottle of Louie Wann sells in Wumei convenience chain stores at RMB15 (US$2.20).
A Louis Wann Wine Industry Co spokesperson said the firm used French technology acquired through its chief investor, Chinese winemaker Changyu, based in Yantai, China's northeastern winemaking province.