THE GRANDEUR OF FRENCH WINE THREATENED BY THE CHINESE, READY TO BUY BORDEAUX CHATEAUS. BUT IS IT A REAL RISK FOR ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSETS OF FRENCH ECONOMY? FOCUS: THE CHATEAUX BORDEAUX FLYING THE CHINESE FLAG

The pace of Chinese acquisitions in the vineyards of Bordeaux has been and remains very high. It is estimated that the frequency of purchases is one château a month and it seems that this has triggered a mass exodus that could lead France to lose one of its most important jewels - production in the region where the model of luxury wine trade was born and where the only really efficient "classification", up to the present, was created more than a century and a half ago. This problem has apparently opened a hot discussion in the region: some are concerned about important assets being controlled by foreign investors; others, however, believe the phenomenon is positive for both the immediate return of resources to the territory, and the fact that the Chinese interest in acquisitions does nothing but keep the appeal of French wine very high on the Chinese market.
Chinese acquisitions in the cradle of the wine world, however, remain limited to less important names of the Gironde and to the more marginal businesses. Up until now, most of the properties are rather small and not very well known, with a few exceptions. The so-called "Bordeaux" is a real world in itself: there are 37 denominations, about 125.000 hectares of vines (the vineyard extension is roughly of Sicily and Lazio put together) and represents 30% of French production. Its production potential is 860 million bottles, of which 95% per denomination. There are between 60.000 and 70.000 producer. These are significant numbers, even if the pinnacle of quality (and cost) of the area seems like it will not pass into hands other than French.

Focus - The châteaux of Bordeaux “flying” the Chinese flag
Bordeaux Superieur Château Vieux-Brondeau 
 Château Branda Cadillac-en-Fronsadais 
 Château Baby Château Blanchet 
 Château de Lugagnac (Pellegrue)
 Château la Bourguette Château Thébot 
 Château de Cugat 
 Château Latour Laguens 
 Château Bertranon 
 Château La Dominante

Bordeaux Côtes de Blayes
 Château de la Salle

Saintes Croix du Mont
 Château Laurette 
 Château Bel Air

Bordeaux Côtes de Castillon  Château Lucas Castillon-La-Bataille 
 Château La Roche Pressac

Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux
 Château du Cayres 
 Château Lezongars 
 Château du Grand Branet 
 Château du Grand Mouëys 
 Château Lagarosse 
 Château de Pic 
 Côtes de Bourg 
 Château Chenu Lafitte
Entre Deux Mers 
 Chateau Labourdette

Fronsac
 Château Richelieu 
 Château Plain Point

Medoc
 Château Laulan Ducos 
 Château Loudenne 
 Château Listran

Haut Medoc 
Château Barateau 
 Château Bernadotte 
 Château Lafon

Moulis en Medoc 
 Château Pey Berland

Graves 
Château La Fleur Jonquet

Saint Emilion
 Château Haut Brisson

Saint Emilion Grand Cru
 Chateau Rolland Maillet 
 Château Monlot 
 Château Millaud-Montlabert 
 Château La Tour Saint Christophe 
 Château Bellefont-Belcier

Lalande de Pomerol Château de Viaud 
 Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent

Pomerol
 Château La Patache 
 Château Le Bon Pasteur 
 Château La Commanderie