Silver Base Group making inroads into imported wine market

Silver Base Group, distributor of the famous Chinese liquor brand Wuliangye, just announced it will enter the international wine market by importing wines from 11 countries for Chinese wine lovers. There will be more than 200 red and white wines from France, Australia, South America and other countries, combining the best wineries of both the New World and Old World.

Sogrape, the largest winery in Portugal, has already signed a contract with Silver Base to bring its red wines to Chinese market, while other partners including Chateau La Brande, Domain Fabre, Distilleria and Savary Argentina.

Silver Base Group will make use of 70% if its existing network to promote imported wines, with a target within two years, the wine business accounts for 50% of the total dealings.

As the biggest distributor of Wuliangye, 90％ of Silver Base’s revenue come from Wuliangye sale. Its profits will shrink as Wuliangye continue increasing its prices, Therefore, it hopes to expand profits through diversification of business.

According to Liang Guoxing, chairman of Silver Base, China's annual consumption of wine is currently one liter per person, much less than the world average 3.6 liters.