The hands behind Chinese investments in Bordeaux

Bordeaux has seen a raft of Chinese investment, with the region gaining popularity with investors from the East due to its connotations with top-end luxury and expensive investments.

The Chinese, however, make little secret that they wish to gain more control and shorten the supply chain from grape to glass.

Following all the Chinese purchases in Bordeaux, distribution operations switched to their homeland.

Of course, shortening the supply chain is not the only motivation for Chinese investors whose domestic market is often infiltrated with forged wines. Chi Jingtao, vice chairman of Cofco (pictured), admitted upon purchasing Château Viaud in Lalande-de-Pomerol: “We have a strategy for constructing a complete chain from production to consumption to guard against forgeries and to reassure our clients. Being involved from the vineyard upwards in Bordeaux helps to strengthen this commitment.”