CRI听力:Chinese Invest in French Vineyards

Over the years, China has seen its consumption of grape wine increasing.
 
French wine is most welcome, as China is the fifth biggest importer both in terms of volume and value.

Chinese tourists and business people are now regular visitors to vineyards in France's famous wine producing region Bordeaux.

Local Chateau guide Laetitia Guix de Pinos says Bordeaux is now a 'must-see' destination for many Chinese.

"Three years ago we were receiving a few groups of Chinese professionals but very few Chinese tourists. Today, it is the opposite. We are still welcoming a lot of professionals but also a lot of young people, notably, who are traveling a lot and for them, Bordeaux has become a major destination. "

20 out of the 8000 chateaus in the region have been acquired by Chinese investors in the past several years.

A Chinese businessman says owning a chateau in Bordeaux is very good for his company's image.

"First, we are here to make wine, particularly some products that will please the Chinese market. Then we want to develop wine tourism. That's why we need a beautiful "chateau" with a very nice French atmosphere, with a mood that Chinese customers will enjoy."

Franco-Chinese wine merchant Lee Huang says Chinese people see owning a chateau as a symbol of richness and success.

"Chinese come and they buy Bordeaux's vineyards and this allows them to tell people ' I own vineyards, in France, in Bordeaux ' and this is 'nobility'. It is to show people they are successful. It is to invite their wealthy friends, like them, to stay in their 'chateau'. "

In France, the wine consumption has decreased from 120 liters per person a year in 1950 to 40 liters today.

While a report forecasts that China's wine consumption will double to 3 billion bottles by 2016, and if growth rates remain unchanged, the country could become the world's biggest wine market in the next 20 years.

For CRI, this is ZSF.