Bordeaux veteran Gerard Colin works with his Chinese colleagues at the Taila International Chateau Ecological Culture Area in Rushan [url=http://www.eccoshoesirelandsale.com/ecco-collin.html]Ecco Collin Shoes Ireland[/url] , in Shandong province. China consumed more than 1.86 billion bottles of wine in 2013, 1.36 times the amount it consumed five years ago. [Zhao Ruiyue China Daily]

For a modest investment, Chinese wine buffs see chance to run their own vineyard

Peng Xiaoxia cannot wait to invite her friends to wander around her vineyard and have a party at a nearby European-style chateau, where wine will be served from bottles bearing her picture and greetings.

"As a wine lover, I think wine should be consumed in a European way－after roaming around a vineyard, picking the grapes if you like, and then sharing a glass or two with family and friends in a chateau," she says.

The 37-year-old, who lives in Beijing, just bought her 666.7 square meters vineyard in the coastal county of Rushan in Shandong province in September－but she is typical of a growing number of Chinese, who have been developing a taste for fine wine.

Peng thinks how a person consumes wine often reflects the lifestyle he or she hopes to enjoy－for her, that's the image of a serene life, with lots of fresh air, and getting close to nature. Owning a vineyard, she says, is living her dream, and she is not alone.

Last year, the country consumed more than 1.86 billion bottles of wine, 1.36 times the amount it consumed in 2008, and their tastes have been growing more sophisticated.

Zhao Wei, a Chinese actress, for instance, spent more than 4 million euros ($654,000) in 2012 to buy Chateau Monlot in the Bordeaux region of St. Emilion, France.

Retired NBA basketball star Yao Ming, too, set up his own winery in 2011, in Napa Valley, California, the United States.

While their way of enjoying wine might appear unreachable for most wine lovers in China, Peng and others are enjoying a rather more affordable way of indulging their passion.

The Taila International Chateau Ecological Culture Area, in Rushan, is the first in China to develop private vineyards at a very reasonable price compared to French or Californian equivalents.

The area has been designed to house 2,000 hectares of vineyards and 300 "chateaus", in whatever way owners wish to design them, says Chen Chunmeng, who is in charge of developing the area.

For 180,000 yuan ($29,400) investors can own a 667-square-meter vineyard for 30 years, says Chen.

Wang Zuming, secretary-general of the China Alcoholic Drinks Association's wine branch, is a fan of the idea. "The Taila area offers the chance to develop private vineyards, and has created a new model for the Chinese wine industry," he says.

People who invest in the area are offered a package of services including grape planting, wine production and trademark design, and Chen has employed a Bordeaux veteran, Gerard Colin, to oversee operations.

Donald Trump's marathon Asia tour moves on Tuesday to South Korea, another key ally in the struggle with North Korea, but one with deep reservations about the US president's strategy for dealing with the crisis.

　　US President Donald Trump toasts with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) at the opening of a welcome dinner hosted by Abe at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.

As tensions over Pyongyang's weapons programme have soared, the US president has traded personal insults and threats of war with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, but his next stop, Seoul - and its 10 million inhabitants - would be on the front line of any conflict.

"Getting ready to leave for South Korea and meetings with President Moon, a fine gentleman," Trump tweeted early Tuesday, adding: "We will figure it all out!"

Trump flies in from Japan after securing Tokyo's full support for Washington's stance that "all options are on the table" regarding North Korea, and declaring its nuclear ambitions "a threat to the civilised world and international peace and stability".

He enjoyed three days of near-bromance with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, calling him "wonderful" after a round of golf and describing US-Japan ties as "really extraordinary".

In Seoul, Trump's relationship with South Korean President Moon Jae-In is noticeably cooler, stoking concerns about the decades-old alliance and fears of being sidelined by the US in favour of Tokyo.

At the same time, Moon is mindful that much of his capital is within range of the North's artillery, and has demanded that no military action take place on the peninsula without the South's prior consent.

Trump has labelled Moon's pro-engagement approach to North Korea as "appeasement" on Twitter, a comment that did not go down well in Seoul's presidential Blue House.

South Korea will roll out the red carpet for Trump as it seeks messages of assurance about the alliance and US resolve.

Citizens views are mixed, with both "No Trump" and "Welcome President Trump" demonstrations taking place in downtown Seoul since the weekend, sometimes only a few blocks apart.

In South Korea, Trump's first stop will be Camp Humphreys, where US forces stationed in the country have moved their headquarters from downtown Seoul.

Later he will have a summit with Moon at the Blue House, followed by a lavish dinner with live concerts by both Korean traditional musicians and K-pop artists.

On Wednesday, Trump will speak to South Korean MPs but his visit will not include a trip to the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula, with the administration downplaying the destination as "a little bit of a cliche".
Agencies

10 many years ago, the thought of a Porsche activity utility automobile would
have appeared absurd. And the explanation will not be that it lacks practical experience
with off-road cars seeing that their engineering have formulated all-wheel-drive
military motor. [url=http://www.wholesalejerseysncaacheap.com/]Wholesale Jerseys[/url]   [url=http://www.cheapjerseysncaawholesale.com/]Cheap Jerseys Online[/url]   [url=http://www.cheapjerseysnbawholesale.com/]Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping[/url]   [url=http://wholesalesoccercheapjerseys.com/]Wholesale Cheap Jerseys China[/url]   [url=http://www.wholesalenhlcheapjerseys.com/]Wholesale Hockey Jerseys From China[/url]   [url=http://www.wholesalenflcheapjerseysonline.com/]Wholesale Football Jerseys[/url]   [url=http://www.wholesalencaacheapjerseys.com/]Wholesale College Baseball Jerseys[/url]   [url=http://www.wholesalenbacheapjerseys.com/]Cheap Jerseys China[/url]   [url=http://www.wholesalemlbcheapjerseyschina.com/]Cheap MLB Jerseys[/url]   [url=http://www.wholesalecheapsoccerjerseyschina.com/]Cheap Soccer Jerseys China[/url]