French winery releases wines for China

VATS Liquor and France’s Domaine Piron held two press conferences earlier this month, introducing a series of "Alun’s Choice" wines to the Chinese market.

The wines are handpicked by Alun Griffiths, a master of wine working with VATS Liquor. VATS Liquor is one of the largest liquor sales stores in China.

The company introduced the new range, made by Domaine Piron, to Jingdong online shopping mall in January. It quickly became one of its fastest-selling products.

Two wines were showcased at the releases: Morgon Domaine de la Chanaise 2011, and Morgon Cote de Py Domaine Piron 2011. Both are priced at less than 300 yuan ($48.30) a bottle.

Dominique Piron, owner of Domaine Piron, said the winery cooperated with Griffiths in February to introduce the wines to China. In March, Piron met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Lyon, France.

Piron is the 14th generation of winemakers in his family. He has more than 40 years of experience in the industry.

The two wines are produced in traditionally acclaimed French winemaking areas, Piron said. Each year, new Beaujolais wines are released on the third Thursday of November. Griffiths said the wines are quality, value for money and representative of wines in the Beaujolais area.