China’s Wine Landscape: Insights and 2026 Outlook

What happens when China's wine market shrinks by 15% annually since 2019, yet some companies post their best year ever? In this landmark 200th episode of Bottled in China, we assembles an expert roundtable to decode 2025's contradictions and what they mean for 2026. Guests: Nick Marro , Principal Economist for Asia, Economist Intelligence Unit Ian Ford , Founding Partner at Nimbility, previously the Co-founder of Summergate Martin Shen , Managing Director, Tiansai Vineyards (Xinjiang) Richard King , Sommelier in Shanghai's fine dining scene From Beijing's anti-corruption crackdown that decimated government banqueting to the surprising surge in aromatic white wines, our panel reveals how "involution"—China's race-to-the-bottom pricing wars—is reshaping everything. Discover why post-2000 consumers spend fortunes on wine pairings but only Instagram the famous labels, how instant retail delivers chilled bottles in 30 minutes, and why Xinjiang is becoming China's hottest wine destination. The verdict? China remains Asia's largest bottled wine market with massive upside in a $300 billion² beverage alcohol sector—but only for those willing to adapt to the new normal. Insights: IWSR Wine Landscapes 2025 - China, ¹Wine market CAGR -14.9% 2019-2024. ²$266 billion TBA value Since 2016, Bottled in China brings you into the food and drink scene through conversations with the some of the most happening personalities. Hosted by Emilie Steckenborn, the show is your one spot for all things wine, food and beverages from across the world. Connect with us on LinkedIn or Instagram @ bottled.in.china Podcast available on iTunes , Spotify , online or wherever you listen to your episodes!

You can listen to China’s Wine Landscape: Insights and 2026 Outlook online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

China’s Wine Landscape: Insights and 2026 Outlook is an episode from Bottled in China by Emilie Steckenborn.

This episode is 00:23:35 long.

This episode was published on Jan 7, 2026.

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