In a historic move, Bordeaux first growth Chateau Lafite is developing a vineyard in China.
The renowned Pauillac estate has gone into partnership with CITIC, China's largest state-owned investment company, to develop 25ha of vines in the peninsula of Penglai in Shandong province.
Shandong province is regarded as one of China's most promising wine-growing regions. The Penglai peninsula, about 800km north of Shanghai, is on its easternmost tip.
With some 10,000ha of vineyards, the area is already home to many well-established wine companies producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Some commentators are referring to the peninsula, 95% of whose wines are consumed domestically, as 'China's Bordeaux.'
Chateau Lafite has an extraordinary reputation in China - so much so that the property's second wine, Carruades de Lafite, commands the same price as other first growths such as Haut Brion.
In a statement, Domaines Barons de Rothschild - Chateau Lafite's parent company - said, 'Having visited many regions in China the technicians of DBR finally chose this peninsula as it proved to be the most promising area to produce a great wine, in terms of both its climatic and geographical conditions.'
Lafite proprietor Baron Eric de Rothschild said he was particularly excited to be part of the creation of what he called an 'exceptional Chinese Grand Cru.'
'I am very pleased to develop a vineyard in a country where the interest in fine wines is increasing every year.'
By 2011, the Chinese are expected to be drinking more than 1.1bn bottles of wine or 828m litres of wine a year, double the figure in 2007, according to a study by the International Wine and Spirit Record in London.
Decanter's publishing director Sarah Kemp said, 'With Chateau Lafite committing to making fine wine in China, it creates the possibility of the future map of the wine world being redrawn.'
Domaines Barons de Rothschild has a track record of pioneering ventures around the world. As well as its Bordeaux properties it has prestigious estates in the Languedoc - Chateau d'Aussieres, Vina Los Vascos in Chile and Bodegas Caro in Argentina, whose 2005 vintage won International Red Blend Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards last year.
Picture: Domaines Barons de Rothschild CEO Christophe Salin signs the agreement in China (courtesy of www.JiaoDong.net)
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Are we going to drink Chinese wines or Bordeaux wines bottle in China? What are the various cultivar that are available in China to bring Lafite there.
Ram Pareatumbee
No doubt this will have significant meaning for the industry in the long term in China due to the phenomenon of the Lafite syndrome. I suspect there will be many different versions of 'food for thought' for the different players in the Chinese market. It will benefit the marketing and sales for whoever is pegged with the Lafite platform in China.
One can imagine how many people can really drink a bottle of Lafite be it in China or anywhere in the world. On the same token, one wonders how many of these bottles can be opened at the right time or even serve at the right temperature. Apparently, most of the bottles are being opened prematurely. There are already too many 'replicas' or 'copies' either in the labels or names in the wine industry here trying to lure consumers to believe the bottles or operations are linked with the Lafite brand. Therefore, the question is how Lafite can steer all these misconceptions to the right course to maintain the dignity of a brand and to give the consumers the right version of Lafite's philosophy.
This turns my mind back to what my dear friend, Jean-Michel Cazes said 15 years ago when we were travelling together in China presenting wines from Bordeaux. And I believe both of us still share the same belief in what he said which is education, education and education in China.
I sincerely hope that the Lafite venture will serve as a wake up call for the industry, not because it is the first such effort as many people have committed to the same course but if the impact of this latest effort can really be turned into an educational platform with the right perspective it will surely not just boost Lafite's name but will change the history for the industry both in production and in consumption by the private sector. After all, the consumers are the one who will ultimately decide where the industry is going to be.
Vive le vin!
Johnny Chan, Hong Kong Wine Club
It is a revolutionary move for grand cru classe in China. Since Lafite is the No.1 most popular fine Bordeaux fine in China, many people will have high expectation. However, game plan of locally-produced wine is totally different from imported wine in China, challenges for Lafite will be much bigger than what they expected. Long-term perspective and patience are two key words.
Al Lee
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