Bottled In China

Today we discuss making Sake in one of the most unlikely of places.Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from polished rice. It's a complex and delicate beverage that is making its way in trendy bars and restaurants around the world.William Stuart, CEO & Brewer of Colorado Sake Co. speaks with us on how he had to change Colorado laws to make sake... and history.We discuss how they leverage education to build consumer knowledge and how they've had to localize the taste of Sake to attract new consumers. Make sure to check them out: https://www.coloradosakeco.com/  Connect on Instagram @coloradosakecoFollow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com or check us out on instagram @bottled.in.china and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes and Spotify! 

Karen MacNeil is one of the most celebrated personalities in wine. She is the author of the best-selling wine book: The Wine Bible, which has sold over one million copies. She is the only American to receive all major wine awards given in the English language. TIME Magazine called Karen “America’s Missionary of the Vine” and she also received an Emmy for her PBS television series Wine, Food and Friends. In today’s podcast we sit down to discuss her journey creating one of wine writing’s most pivotal pieces. She also shares her thoughts on the future of wine communication. With The Wine Bible freshly translated into Chinese, we also discuss her adventures in Asia.Find The Wine Bible in Chinese: https://item.jd.com/12576760.htmlSign up for her newsletter at https://winespeed.comVisit her Instagram  @KarenmacneilcoFind out more about her events and tours at https://www.karenmacneil.comFollow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com or check us out on instagram @bottled.in.china and make sure to like and subs

In 2019, Gus Jian Zhu earned the prestigious title of Master of Wine (MW) making him the first Chinese national to earn the title. With only 389 members around the world, the MW is one of the most rigorous examinations in wine. In fact, he passed all the exams on his first attempt!Gus is a wine educator and holds a  Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. Today, he helps those interested in pursuing wine certificates with with a tactful approach.  In this podcast we discuss his journey in wine and unravel what it takes to become a Master of Wine. Find out more: https://guszhu.com/Follow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com or check us out on instagram @bottled.in.china and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes and Spotify! 

Claudia Masueger encapsulates the energy needed to thrive in wine retail in China. Originally from Switzerland, Masueger came to China in 2008 with little more than suitcases full of wine to discover if the Chinese market was interested in wine. Today, CHEERS Wines has over forty locations across China. In today’s podcast, we sit down with Claudia to discover her inspiring journey in the industry. She shares insights on how China is becoming an experience economy. We also discuss the importance of e-commerce in China and how both online and in-store are key to healthy wine sales. Learn more about CHEERS Wines: https://www.cheers-wines.com/ Follow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com or check us out on instagram @bottled.in.china and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes and Spotify!  

Today we sit down to discuss two very different wine making countries: Australian and Austrian.  Campell Thompson is the Founder of The Wine Republic and one of the pioneers of cool climate and craft wines into China. He started importing Pinot Noir from Yarra at a time when the market was only focused on big and bold Barossa Shiraz. He was also one of the first to import Austrian wines in China, a small and relatively unknown region with plenty of high quality and delicious wines. Get in touch with Campbell: http://www.thewinerepublic.com 

Today we speak to cult status producer Sasa Radikon. Based in Friuli Italy, Sasa’s family was the region’s pioneer of “orange” wines. Today, Sasa joins us to demystify natural wines, how it’s made and how to serve them.Orange wine is simply white wine made using a red wine method. This means that the white grape skins are used during the winemaking process to extract aromas, flavours and texture. The result is an orange coloured wine with full of flavours!Radikon is a pioneer of the natural wine movement in Italy. It’s also recognized as the pinnacle of orange wines, a radical winemaking style that his family has perfected after 25 years of winemaking history. Find more about Radikon Wines at: https://www.radikon.it/en/Want to try it in China? Reach out to the team at Zefiro-GSL (https://www.zefiro-group.com/intro_eng.html)Follow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com or check us out on instagram @bottled.in.china and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes and Spotify!  

Baijiu is the most sold spirit in the world, yet people typically don’t know much about it outside China. On today’s podcast we sit down with William Isler, CEO of Ming River Baijiu to discuss China’s flagship spirit. Isler shares his story on how we fell in love with Baijiu and how it prompt him to open one of the most famous Baijiu bars in China: Capital Spirits. We also discuss the creation of Ming River and how it’s paving the way for Baijiu in America and Europe. Finally, we also break down how Baijiu is consumed and purchased around the world.Ming River is the original Sichuan Baijiu produced by Luzhou Laojiao Distillery.Ming River is an exclusive Baijiu crafted by bartenders and sold outside of Mainland China to markets like Europe, America and Asia. Make sure to check out their website to find out how to make the perfect Baijiu cocktail. More info: https://mingriver.comFollow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com or check us out on inst @bottled.in.china and make sure to like and subscribe on i

Today we talk about your favorite spread: nut butter, but also how NAKED Nut Butters is spreading support to local communities.In 2016, Founders Katie Tarrant and Meredith Sides turned an obsession into a business. They created high-quality nut butter that not only tastes great but supports the local community. They work alongside a Chinese NGO called Paradise Foundation backed by Alibaba's CEO Jack Ma. This NGO assists farmers in local areas to grow peanuts ecologically, provides high quality living conditions and supports higher wages.Follow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com or check us out on inst @bottled.in.china and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes and Spotify!  

CALLING ALL WINE LOVERS!South African wines are more exciting than ever.In today’s podcast we sit down with Marcus Ford, Asia Market Manager of Wines of South Africa to discuss all there’s to know about SA wines.Working in the wine trade in Shanghai for since 1999, Ford started off as a Sommelier at M on the Bund and then Co-Founded fine wine retailer Pudao Wines.Today, we sit down to discuss misperceptions of South Africa wines and break down the countries’ most upcoming regions. We also discuss what exciting varietals to keep an eye one and why you should switch your Chardonnay for  Chenin Blanc.Find more resources here: https://www.wosa.co.za/home/Follow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com or check us out on inst @bottled.in.china and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes and Spotify!  

“I just had to do something,” said Carrie Chan, co-founder of Avant Meat, a company devoted to the development of cultured meat in Hong Kong.Today we speak with Carrie Chan, Co-Founder of Avant Meat, China's first-ever cultured meat technology company. founded in 2018, alongside Dr. Mario Chin, they chose to produce fish, fish fillets, and especially fish maw for their business model. Fish maw is essentially the swimming bladder large fish use to navigate, a vital organ made of a single type of cell. It’s considered a delicacy but has many applications in the Asian kitchen. It's a real opportunity to make cheap cell-grown meat fast, and economically viable. Reach out at : https://www.avantmeats.com/ Follow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com or check us out on inst @bottled.in.china and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes and Spotify!

Today we sit down with Rudy Guo, Executive Director of Oysterliscious Group in Shanghai. We discuss his journey in the F&B industry and the growing obsession of oysters in Asia. Based in Shanghai for over eleven years, Rudy Guo shares with us how a simple fast food from Qing Dynasty now fetches hundreds of RMB for his top oyster. Today, we discuss how oysters are traditionally consumed  in China. We also discover hi favorite wine and beer oyster pairings. Make sure to check out his restaurants if you’re in town! C Pearl Shanghai:Wechat: cpearlshanghaiPhone: 021-50391597Century Link Mall, 5/F, Room 008, near Weifang Lu世纪大道1192号世纪汇广场5楼008室, 近潍坊路C Pearl Beijing:Wechat: cpearlbeijing55Phone: 010-57245886Yanshaqiao, Xinyuan Jie, Shunyuanli, Bldg 14, Room 14-2, near Xinyuan Nan Lu, Beijing, China,+86 010 5724 5886中国北京, 燕莎桥新源街顺源里14号楼14-2号, 近新源南路Osteria:Wechat: osteriaoysterPhone 联系电话: 02162568998226 Jinxian Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu, Shanghai, China中国上海, 进贤路226号, 近陕西南路Plump Oyster:Wechat: ThePlumpOysterBarPhone 联系

Emilio Restoy Cabrera, is CEO of a value-oriented wine and spirits conglomerate: Zamora Company. The Spanish Chemical Engineer, Marketing Expert, and MBA has climbed the corporate ladder of his own family business. He is the third generation running the business. After overseeing domestic sales, marketing, and international accounts, Emilio carries the company on his shoulders. Zamora grew 17% last year and it hasn’t slowed down a bit; on the contrary, it’s blazing the market with full force. So, what’s the secret of running a global company successfully? “Our industry is very much about two things,” says Emilio, “The brands and the people. Family company values reflect that very much, it’s about caring for people, an obsession in quality, and a long-term view.” For more info visit Zamora Company: https://zamoracompany.com/en/ Follow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes and Spotify!

Mate is a traditional South American caffeinated drink that rose in popularity in Germany under the name Yerba-Mate. Today, Daniel de Smeth is bringing his favourite drink to Asia. In this podcast we discuss what exactly is Mate and how it sparked a revolution in the Berlin club and startup scene. We also discuss how his new product: Highlite got started. Find Highlite at selected restaurants across Shanghai Follow the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes or Spotify!

Dan Siebers is an accomplished sommelier and China market expert. He’s been in the industry since the late 1990s and has seen it all. Dan has seen the market shift at a spectacular pace, which has given him a very local and up-close perspective on the market, its past, its present, and the future of wine in China. In this podcast we discuss the market evolution, what beverage trends millenials are setting and what the ultra premium wine consumer is going after. You'd be suprised, it's no longer Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)! Want to know more about Cult Wines and wine investments? Reach out to Dan via Linkedin @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-siebers-1a17bb14/ Make sure to check the latest stories at www.bottledinchina.com and make sure to like and subscribe on iTunes or Spotify!

First launched in Beijing and now in Shanghai, Baozza is becoming a hot trend. It's the perfect example of assimilation of cultures. Baozza is still a very traditional bao, made with great care to preserve its characteristic softness and fluffy texture. The pizza stuffing is also traditional because Alex uses imported Italian tomatoes and mozzarella to achieve the universal, beloved pizza flavor. “China doesn’t really have the dollar slice; it generally hasn’t been a really successful category,” Alex says. Baozza is looking to be a new category and even a substitute for pizza for some people. While some would see this as pushing boundaries just remember, never bet against Pizza! Check them out at www.baozza.com or reach out on WeChat at baozza, Instagram @baozza and Facebook at www.facebook.com/baozza You can finally find them at CityShop in Shanghai so you can ensure you have some stock at the office in case you have any immediate pizza cravings! Chek out their shop in Shanghai: B1, Pacific Fresh City Mall,

In the last few weeks, Australian wines have officially taken over France as China's most imported country by volume. This might come as no surprise for those living in China who've witnessed the effort of Australian wine producers paving the way and a strong marketing campaign lead by Wine Australia. Today we sit down with Wine Australia's Regional General Manager of North Asia, David Lucas to hear how Australian wines have quickly gained appreciation in China. With over 17 years in the beverage business in Asia, David is combining his experience as VP of Sales with a deep understanding of China to support producers understand this new market. In this podcast, we deep dive into winning strategies several Australian wineries have implemented in China. We also find out what type of activities Wine Australia have organized for local tier markets. Finally, we find out if private labels for China are really as successful as they're made out to be. Visit the Wine Australia website to find an abundance of res

“Who wants to try, honestly, Chinese Cabernet Sauvignon? But what about Chinese Marselan? I think there’s something here, an opportunity.” Today we sit down with Julien Boulard, a China based wine educator, Master of Wine Candidate and Director of Zhulian Wine Consulting. In this episode we discuss everything you need to know about Chinese wines from key regions, why Chinese wines are priced so high and what could be the future of Marselan in China. Marselan is the new hot variety in China right now, it’s a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. The grape variety didn’t work well in France; it gave low yields, although high-quality grapes but today it’s finding its foothold in China. Get in touch with Julien and his team on Facebook at Zhulian Wines Make sure to read the full story and follow up on your favorite stories on https://www.bottledinchina.com/ Follow us on Instagram @bottle.in.china If you liked the podcast make sure to subscribe and leave a comment! Thank you to our Producer, Ryan Shuken,

Dragons are real and they come from Inner Mongolia. Today we speak with Daniel Brooker, Owner and Maker of Dragon's Blood, a gin produced in Chifeng in Inner Mongolia. With two distinct creations just released on the market, he’s taking his approach as a Chef and blending it into the world as a master distiller. In this episode we discuss the name behind Dragon's Blood, how it all got started and his unique approach to distilling. He sources Dragon's Blood unique set of ingredients: wild juniper, Mongolian mountain pepper, and organic Yunnan golden roses, many of these, sourced straight from his farm. Daniel has a small on-site orchard, and he grows most of the ingredients that go into his still, making his creation one of the most handcrafted gins in the market. Get in touch with Daniel on wechat @Danielbrooker Twitter: @DragonsBloodGin Instagram: @dragonsbloodgin Feel free to send him an email at dragonblood@qq.com Make sure to read the full story and follow up on your favorite stories on https://www.bottle

A messy problem with a green solution. In today's podcast we sit down with CEO of MotionEco, Shu Tong about how his company sources used cooking oil in China and converts into biodiesel. This is the core issue: China has lots of food waste. It includes massive amounts of used cooking oil. The oil is often collected illegally and traded unethically, sometimes returning to the restaurants through a shady black market. MotionEco offers a legal, ethical and sustainable alternative to waste cooking oil management. Today, we sit down to discuss the efficiency of biofuel, how MotionEco is looking to disrupted the local biodiesel market and its future in China. Yo can find more information here: http://www.motioneco.com/ Read the newest stories and visit us at https://www.bottledinchina.com/ Thanks for listening!

In today's episode we sit down with Lewis Harding, CEO of Coffee Exchange to discuss one of our favorite beverages, coffee. Coffee Exchange is a marketplace that connects, often isolated producers, with eager buyers and roasters in China. Currently based in Shanghai, Lewis spent 10 years in finance and entrepreneurship before finding his true calling in his morning cup. In this podcast we discuss how Coffee Exchange all got started and what the Chinese coffee scene is really like. Find out more: https://coffee.exchange/en/ Read the stories and visit us at https://www.bottledinchina.com/