At a time when Americans are cutting back and rationing, buying Chinese imports in order to save money, who would have thought that the US would find it's niche to export to China, in the Napa Valley of California?
California is reportedly on the rebound from the recession. San Francisco is one of the 10 fastest recovering cities in the country according to a recent poll of recession proof cities. In the poll, green energy was cited as a major reason that San Francisco was making a remarkable comeback. That being true, perhaps another, slightly overlooked but highly profitable industry has helped but the Bay Area in good standing during these trying times. California's Napa Valley is becoming a great exporter of wine to China. In the '70's, it was California's Silicon Valley that was the major importer to China. Now, with a new decade and a new generation, it is California's Napa Valley that is leading the export sales.
Perhaps because China has seen an upswing in their individual net worth, perhaps because China has a vested interest in all things American, or perhaps just as a status symbol, the Chinese are becoming more appreciative of foreign wine and not just any wine but California wine specifically. Once known for their consumption of baijuu, they are turning to wine as the new drink of choice.
According to Vinexpo, China is the 8th largest wine market in the world, who knew? But while the Chinese are very happy experimenting with buying California wine, they are still somewhat tenative about expensive wine, they seem to prefer to favor the French when it comes to expensive bottles, and California, when they think they are getting a deal. This may be due in part to the 50% tax imposed on American wine in China. I was wondering, does America impose a 50% tax on Chinese imports? Regardless, in a new generation, in an immature wine market, America sells. Napa Valley may not be familiar or popular in China, but California and American culture are icons.