By CNBCTV18.COM IST (Updated)
Mini
Chinese consumers downed 1.865 billion bottles of red wine last year, contributing to a 136 percent rise in consumption over the past five years, a survey released on Tuesday showed.
China has topped France and Italy to become the world's biggest consumer of red wine, according to a study by International Wine and Spirit Research commissioned by Vinexpo.
Chinese consumers downed 1.865 billion bottles of red wine last year, contributing to a 136 percent rise in consumption over the past five years, the survey released on Tuesday showed.
(Read more: Is China causing a global wine shortage?
)
The US remained the world`s biggest consumer of all types of wines. The latest data on red wine consumption shows that China has pushed traditional wine-drinking countries France and Italy into second and third place respectively.
China consumed 155 million nine-liter cases of red wine in 2013. France consumed 150 million cases and Italy consumed 141 million cases.
(Read more: Sotheby's crowns its king of fine wines for 2013)
Consumption of wine and spirits in China, the world`s second biggest economy, has risen sharply in recent years alongside an increasingly affluent consumer society.
And analysts say red, viewed as a lucky color in China, helps explain a preference for red over white wine.
In fact, China`s growing thirst is contributing to the risk of a global wine shortage, Morgan Stanley said late last year.
(Read more: 'Diddy' duets with Diageo for tequila takeover)
The data from VINEXPO was released ahead of an Asia-Pacific exhibition that will be held in May in Hong Kong.
- By CNBC.Com`s Dhara Ranasinghe;Follow her on Twitter @DharaCNBC
First Published: IST
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!
