Penfolds celebrates a robust series

A tasting with a winemaker doesn't usually come with a string quartet - even in France. But the four ladies in red silk and harmonious bows were a sign that Penfolds considers its latest crop of wines to be something special.

The unveiling showed that China is as special to Penfolds as the new series of wines, which was introduced and tasted for the first time in Beijing just before the Oct 1 holiday. It's no secret that China is now the world's No 1 market for red wine, and the Australian company was early to see the potential here and establish its brands, notably Bin 28, Bin 389 and Grange.

"I love the 2008 and the 2010 Grange," says Kym Schroeter, a senior winemaker with the giant vintner and the leader of the tasting. "But the 2012 could be the greatest Grange ever."