Chinese brandy producer eyes pole position

With around 10 kilograms of Ugni Blanc grape being fermented into wine and then distilled twice to age in oak barrels for at least six years, a bottle of 700 ml Koya brandy is created, giving Chinese consumers more choices for high-end brandy.

To expand the Koya products in the domestic market, Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co Ltd, China's leading wine producer, officially opened Chateau Koya, the country's first professional brandy chateau, in Yantai, Shandong province, on June 28.

"Koya brandy is positioned toward middle-and high-end customers," said Sun Jian, general manager of Changyu, adding Koya products enrich the company's brandy portfolio.