China Buys Bordeaux
Absolutely. Positively. China Buys Bordeaux. Chateaus. Bordeaux wine. And, hey – why not – Bordeaux property.
There is a good reason for this. In a sentence : Bordeaux Winos need the money. And money, as we are all to aware is democratic and non-judgemental.
Money doesn’t give a rat’s ass about color, ethnicity, social position, family background, life acheivements and/or fortune in Men’s eyes.
Thus, with Bordeaux Wine sales in the basement of French Wine sales at the moment, any money is welcome. It just happens to be Chinese Money.
This state of liquid affairs is not new. The Chinese are regular investors in all types of French enterprises. Likewise the Japanese. Proprietors not only of Chateaus, but a major insurance company or two.
The reason is a variation on the “grass is greener over there” theme. While China and Japan are nuts about anything Western – they go POSTAL over France. Likewise the other Asian nations – who this year gobbled up a major production of Languedoc Roussillon’s production.
So – only natural they should continue to fuel their obsession by “buying in” to their dream destination.
The China Daily’s Yang Cheng has the details:
“A regional branch of Chinese investment firm CITIC broke ground last month on a wine production base in Shandong province in a joint venture with Domaines Barons de Rothschild, parent company of the Bordeaux region’s renowned Chateau Lafite.
The initial investment in the base has hit 100 million yuan ($15.87 million). The company hopes to build on the momentum of its brand Lafite, which has been thriving in China. Within the country, the combined trading volume of faked and genuine Lafite is estimated to be between 2 million and 3 million bottles annually.
Last year, China’s largest trader of grains and edible oils COFCO announced it had bought Chateau Viaud, a 20-hectare estate in Bordeaux, and expects it to yield 100 tons of wine every year.
The company’s wine business is growing 15 percent every year, Wu Fei, COFCO wine president, said.
“This is only an element of our global roadmap, following our trail in Chile. More deals may happen in South Africa, the US, Australia and much more,” an insider noted.
Dynamic approach
Discussing the company’s foray overseas, wine expert Li Demei said that better operations and marketing for the wine products are vital to getting faster and sounder returns for the investors.
Japanese-based beverage producer Suntory bought Chateaus of Lagrange and Byechevelle in Bordeaux, and through better marketing channels it has made the two brands popular and cemented a foothold in Asia.”
Read More HERE
THROW ME A BONE HERE,PEOPLE!
What are ya thinkin’?
you’re so right in saying that moeny doesn’t discriminate – hope that point doesn’t sail past the asian-bashers.
Sara – great point, especially now as the French roll up to their election, with all the candidates thumping their chests for products “made in France.”
about “made in france” – perhaps you may be interesting to know that much of the publicity materials for the candidates are not
“made in france.”
looks like the chinese are taking over everywhere!
Your coverage of the french wine scene is refreshing different from all the other so called “experts.”
Face it BG – the Chinese are taking over the World – as quietly as possible.
amazing to see the depth of the chinese penetration into all arreas of western commerce.
Is this would they mean by “World Economy?”
most everybody who loves wine dreams of owning a french chateau – why should it be a suprise that the chinese share the same dream?
very informative – as always…would be interested to know how the french rate the emerging chinese wine.