Domestic vintages have tough row to hoe

China's makers of merlot and chardonnay have found success at home but have struggled to convince consumers overseas that their vintages can compete with offerings from more established wine nations.

Booths for Chinese vintners displaying bottles of red, white and sparkling wines drew crowds at last week's Vinexpo Asia Pacific in Hong Kong.

But traders at the fair, the largest wine and spirits event of its kind in Asia, say the domestic popularity of the wines does not translate to success in overseas markets.