Chinese wine now in British supermarket Tesco

British supermarket Tesco is offering Chinese wine to customers for the first time.

The firm, which is the third largest retailer in the world, has started selling an impressive Chinese produced Cabernet Sauvignon that it believes could finally open the doors in Britain to this fast emerging wine-making nation.

The production of the Chateau Changyu Moser XV estate wines is overseen by renowned Austrian winemaker Lenz Moser. [Photo: Tesco]

The new wine, Chateau Changyu Moser XV Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, is a cross between a classic Bordeaux and a rich fruity Australian wine, and is available for less than £10.

Tesco’s Master of Wine James Davis believes China is becoming a very powerful player in the wine world and this launch could help give it its first major push in the UK.

He said:

“China is one of the world’s biggest consumers of wine, drinking almost two billion bottles of red wine each year.

“And now they are one of the largest wine producing countries in the world, ahead of the more traditional regions of Chile and New Zealand.

“Produced in a warm and dry climate, the Chateau Changyu Moser XV Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, is a dark ruby red.

“The smooth, full bodied wine is a combination of a classic Bordeaux style with the riper, richer fruit flavours which are characteristic of Australian wines.

“At a great introductory offer of £7, this wine offers customers an opportunity to discover a unique, but quality wine at an affordable price. 

Whilst the launch of Moser XV at Tesco is indeed significant, Tesco is not the first UK supermarket to sell Chinese wine.

As we reported in February, that honour goes to Sainsbury's, who launched 'Noble Dragon Red,' made by Changyu, China's oldest wine producer, in time for Chinese New Year.