When it comes to wine, we should adapt, not adopt

During the explosion of trade between Britain and East Asian countries in the 17th century, tea was introduced to the country and rapidly superseded coffee as the national drink, albeit with the novel addition of a dash of milk and some sugar.

And just as Britain adopted, then adapted, tea to suit local tastes to make it the country's most popular beverage, China is witnessing a similar revolution in its relationship with wine.

Although wine production has a long history in China, it has never been the country's tipple of choice - even to the present day. The increasing consumption of wine in China may be largely due to the country's opening-up, where improving standards of living have gradually brought wine into Chinese people's lives.