Gallo of Shanghai?
The sale of wine is up in Asia, and is expected to rise another 20% by 2008, according to the organizers of the Wine for Asia fair. The fair, which includes 400 wineries from around the world, is experiencing exponential growth in both exhibitors and attendees. An attraction to Western culture and competitive global wine pricing have both contributed to the acceptance of wine in many Asian countries.
“A few years ago at Chinese wedding dinners in Singapore, we’d never see bottles of wine being served, but now we see them quite commonly,” said Singapore-based wine expert Leon Tan. “Wine started gaining acceptance here because it’s seen as a business tool you can socialize with.”
Will a powerhouse winery, like Gallo, emerge to satisfy local thirst and compete in the global market? With cheap labor, land, resources, and interest in this beverage, the stage appears to be set.
Read [Forbes]
