What happens when China's wine market shrinks by 15% annually since 2019, yet some companies post their best year ever? In this landmark 200th episode of Bottled in China, we assembles an expert roundtable to decode 2025's contradictions and what they mean for 2026.

Guests:

• Nick Marro, Principal Economist for Asia, Economist Intelligence Unit
• Ian Ford, Founding Partner at Nimbility, previously the Co-founder of Summergate
• Martin Shen, Managing Director, Tiansai Vineyards (Xinjiang)
• Richard King, Sommelier in Shanghai's fine dining scene

From Beijing's anti-corruption crackdown that decimated government banqueting to the surprising surge in aromatic white wines, our panel reveals how "involution"—China's race-to-the-bottom pricing wars—is reshaping everything. Discover why post-2000 consumers spend fortunes on wine pairings but only Instagram the famous labels, how instant retail delivers chilled bottles in 30 minutes, and why Xinjiang is becoming China's hottest wine destination.

The verdict? China remains Asia's largest bottled wine market with massive upside in a $300 billion² beverage alcohol sector—but only for those willing to adapt to the new normal.

Insights: IWSR Wine Landscapes 2025 - China, ¹Wine market CAGR -14.9% 2019-2024. ²$266 billion TBA value

Since 2016, Bottled in China brings you into the food and drink scene through conversations with the some of the most happening personalities. Hosted by Emilie Steckenborn, the show is your one spot for all things food, beer, wine and spirits from across the world. Connect with us on LinkedIn or Instagram @bottled.in.china

Podcast available on iTunes, Spotify , online or wherever you listen to your episodes!
Subscribe to Bottled in China to follow the journey!

Check out our new website & find out more at https://www.thebottledshow.com

What if everything you've been told about alcohol and health is wrong—or at least incomplete?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Laura Catena, a Harvard and Stanford-educated physician and fourth-generation vintner behind Argentina's legendary Catena Zapata. As the driving force behind the 'In Defense of Wine' campaign, Dr. Catena is not here to tell you that wine is a miracle cure—she's here to cut through the noise and present what peer-reviewed science actually says about moderate alcohol consumption.

Dr. Catena believes the current conversation around alcohol and health has veered away from accurate science, reduced to oversimplified headlines that ignore nuance. She walks us through two landmark reports—one from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and another from the American Heart Association—that challenge the prevailing black-and-white narratives. These aren't studies cherry-picked to support the wine industry; they're comprehensive reviews that acknowledge both the potential benefits and real risks of alcohol consumption.

In this episode we discover what moderation actually mean? We explore the breaking research on wine and health, but we also zoom out to examine the larger picture: the undeniable dangers of smoking, the rapid rise of weight loss drugs and cannabis, and how industrialization and processed foods have fundamentally reshaped both what we consume and our overall health. Dr. Catena argues that informed decision-making requires understanding the full spectrum of evidence—not just the parts that fit a particular narrative.

Whether you're a wine lover, a health enthusiast, or simply someone trying to make sense of conflicting headlines, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective grounded in science, context, and honesty.

To find out more about Dr Laura Catena's In Defense of Wine Campaign, you can visit her official website here: In Defense of Wine and watch her informative YouTube video here: Wine & Health by Dr. Laura Catena

Research Papers and Insights Discussed:
NASEM report and the American Heart Association's review.
Ozempic Curbs Drinking—So What Does That Mean for the Alcohol Industry? | SevenFifty Daily

This episode was brought to life by the exceptional writing of the talented Rachael Mamane, a James Beard-nominated author and culinary researcher.

Since 2016, Bottled in China brings you into the food and drink scene through conversations with the some of the most happening personalities. Hosted by Emilie Steckenborn, the show is your one spot for all things food, beer, wine and spirits from across the world. Connect with us on LinkedIn or Instagram @bottled.in.china

Podcast available on iTunes, Spotify , online or wherever you listen to your episodes!
Subscribe to Bottled in China to follow the journey!

Check out our new website & find out more at https://www.thebottledshow.com

Think you know how to pair wine with Asian cuisine? Think again.

In this episode, we explore the intriguing insights of Master of Wine Richard Hemming, who challenges traditional pairing norms with his groundbreaking book, Wine & The Food of Asia. After two years of rigorous research, including the testing of 400 wines and 80 recipes from 13 countries, Richard invites us to rethink our approach and discard the traditional rules.

Today, we explore the misconceptions about Riesling being the go-to choice for spicy foods and uncover effective strategies for navigating complex pairings. We'll discuss how to pair wine with Chengdu and Chongqing's iconic mala spice, identify suitable white wines for vinegar-heavy dishes, and highlight Richard's unexpected wine and Asian food combinations.

Richard's book, Wine & The Food of Asia, is available through the 67 Pall Mall website, with Amazon distribution on the way.

Since 2016, Bottled in China brings you into the food and drink scene through conversations with the some of the most happening personalities. Hosted by Emilie Steckenborn, the show is your one spot for all things food, beer, wine and spirits from across the world. Connect with us on LinkedIn or Instagram @bottled.in.china

Podcast available on iTunes, Spotify , online or wherever you listen to your episodes!
Subscribe to Bottled in China to follow the journey!

Check out our new website & find out more at https://www.thebottledshow.com