Australian winemakers are benefiting from a change in attitude to wine in China following the rapid expansion of its middle and upper classes. The Chinese government has been encouraging more people to drink wine, with many restaurants offering discounts for those who buy bottles or cans at home. Some vintners such as Peter Thompson are now designing wines that cater to Chinese palates along with dragon designs on the bottles. Chinese imports of Australian goods rose by 32.1% in the year to June.
Australian winemakers are benefiting from a change in attitude to wine in China following the rapid expansion of its middle and upper classes. Winemaker Sirromet's Rod Hill says that "five years ago, it was rare to see people in bars drinking wine', but now he cannot believe the size of the wine lists in the country. Some vintners such as Peter Thompson are now designing wines that cater to Chinese palates along with dragon designs on the bottles. Chinese imports of Australian goods rose by 32.1% in the year to June.