Zhao Wei, Wine in China
Zhao Wei (red coat) at a tasting in Beijing to launch her Bordeaux wine in China.
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

The famous actress and Chinese owner of Château Monlot in Bordeaux has faced fierce criticism in her native country this week over the casting of a Taiwanese actor in a new film.

Vicky Zhao Wei and investors have reportedly agreed to replace Taiwanese actor Leon Dai in a film that Vicky Zhao is directing after Dai failed to clarify his political views – specifically on Taiwan independence.

Vicky Zhao Wei has faced intense criticism on social media channels in China, including Weibo, for casting Dai as a lead in the film, named ‘No Other Love’ and which is her second outing as a director.

The owner of Château Monlot, with a personal fortune of an estimated $1bn according to Forbes magazine, launched her first wines in China late last year.

Among those criticising Vicky Zhao in the past few weeks has been the Communist Youth League, a youth movement affiliated to China’s ruling Communist Party.

Vicky Zhao bought the seven hectare Château Monlot, a St-Emilion Grand Cru, in 2011 for an undisclosed fee. Estate agents in the area said it likely cost between four million and five million euros.

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(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

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Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.