In recent weeks, I spent time in Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou. I didn't stay long in each city, but I did enjoy some nice meals and chats with many food and wine lovers.
One evening in Hangzhou, I was fortunate enough to sit next to a charming, very attractive woman in her 30s. It is rare that I am seated next to a woman over a long wine dinner, so I was intrigued to find out more about her background.
She said that, along with a passion for golf, she became interested in wine as a hobby about five years ago. Since then, she has become so involved that she is now a consultant and adviser to wealthy friends who have become clients. She sources fine wine from all over the world to build cellars for her private clients.
What impressed me were her questions about each wine that was presented at the dinner we shared and her enthusiasm. She has always lived in Hangzhou but her English was nearly flawless, and from our conversation, it was clear that she was well travelled.
Forget the stereotypical Chinese male wine drinker who is buying by label. The real growth segment of wine drinkers lies in women (or men) like the one seated next to me in Hangzhou: savvy, connected, knowledgeable, price-conscious and passionate about wine. In Shanghai, I met a woman who buys for her family; a serious collector. Her husband looked on proudly as she described some of the wines she bought recently to fill the gaps in their collection. She clearly does her homework and has strong opinions about her preferred styles and producers.
These very opinionated women were also clear about criticism. The Shanghainese woman said: 'I know Hong Kong women think they are more sophisticated, but this is not true. Being more Western doesn't make you more sophisticated.'