Château Angélus: high-end market in China remains ‘unstable’

The Chinese market for high-end Bordeaux remains ‘unstable’, although imports of French wines increased significantly in 2015, according to Château Angélus.

‘High exposure to counterfeiting’ and an environment ‘dominated by gift-giving or investment’ are still key issues haunting China’s high-end wine market, said Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal of Château Angélus at a recent press conference in Beijing.

Bottled French wine imports to China rose significantly in both volume and value in 2015, marking a 6% increase in average price.

However, trade experts warn that the country’s food and drinks sector is still far from recovered from the impact of the government’s anti-corruption drive launched in 2012.

But, de Boüard-Rivoal told DecanterChina.com that she saw market potential in a growing number of consumers who are showing ‘a real thirst’ for wine education and are purchasing for personal enjoyment.

De Boüard-Rivoal was in Beijing to launch the St-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A estate's new book, Angélus, written by Jane Anson and with a preface by Guy Savoy.

The book mainly covers the history of the winery and the Saint-Emilion region. It also records the design and construction process of the winery’s new cellar. The book has been translated into Mandarin and French.

The book will also be launched in Paris, London and New York, with an initial 4,500 copies printed in total. It will be available in ‘a select number of outlets’ in Europe and USA, and priced at 50 euros, according to de Boüard-Rivoal.

Regarding the Bordeaux 2015 vintage, which is still in barrel, de Boüard-Rivoal said that she expects it to be ‘a highly regarded vintage when it reaches maturity’.

‘It’s a very symbolic vintage in the sense that it is my first vintage after 2014, which was my father’s 30th vintage: this adds an emotional and emblematic dimension.'

Translated by Sylvia Wu / 吴嘉溦