Winners announced at Wine Australia China awards

Several China-based retailers, importers, educators and sommeliers have been recognised for their efforts in actively promoting Australian fine wine in the Chinese market at the Wine Australia China Awards.

Organised by Wine Australia, the third annual awards were held in Noah’s Yacht Club and hosted by Wine Australia’s head of market – China, Willa Yang and Lin Libo, executive editor of the Chinese edition of La Revue du Vin de France.

The Beijing Wine Master Liquor Co, The Wine Republic and Wolleimi (Shanghai) International Trading Ltd all won the Best Importer category sponsored by Wines of Geoff Hardy, while the event’s venue, Noah’s Yacht Club scooped Best Wine List sponsored by Jacob’s Creek.

The second Jacob’s Creek award was given to the best sommeliers who were named as Kobe Hou from Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai and Tansy Zhao from the Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai.

Online giant, Amazon won the best online retailer and City Shop and Pudao Wines were recognised as the best offline retailer with both categories sponsored by Swan Wine Group.

Finally, the Barossa Wine School Educator award was given to James Dai, Yang Guo and Zhan Jicheng.

Host Willa Yang commented: “In the last 12 months we’ve seen exports to China increase by 47% to A$313 million. China is now Australia’s third most valuable export market for wine and a more than a third of those exports are in the higher price points above A$10.

“We’re seeing a rising interest in wine culture from the middle class and it’s fitting to publicly acknowledge those partners in the Chinese wine community who have been passionate advocates for Australian wine.”

Anson Mui, general manager at Beijing Wine Master Liquor Co. and one of the winners of the Best Importer award said, “I am really grateful for the acknowledgement from Wine Australia and all the judges of our efforts. I am really honoured and touched. This award is not only a milestone for Beijing Master but also a sign of strong encouragement. We will try our best to bring more high-quality Australian wine to China.”

Richard Dolan, general manager of sponsor, Wines by Geoff Hardy also said: “Wines by Geoff Hardy was thrilled to sponsor the Wine Australia China Awards for the second year.

“As a long-standing and famous family wine company that strives for continued excellence in all we do, it’s a great opportunity to recognise another year of excellence and success by individuals and companies in the Chinese wine market, with a particular emphasis on those who make a significant contribution to the success of Australian wine.”