[seanmcdirmid]

The Chinese have very few domestic investment option, so they invest like crazy in things like this, not really because they like or care about wine. They were responsible for the last wine bubble and will be responsible for the next.

For me, the cheap Xinjiang wine is good enough.

[jmaskell]

They were buying a lot for consumption too. Drinking (or gifting) a bottle of Lafite or Petrus is a good way to show how wealthy you are.

[seanmcdirmid]

Ya, but most couldn't tell the cheap stuff from the expensive stuff, wine scams are common here even at the most reputable high end establishment.