Chinese wines' potential uncorked in Australia

Educating the public

Restaurants with experienced sommelier teams can educate guests, recommend pairings with food, and build confidence in the category, he said.

Premium dining venues are often where consumers first discover new wine regions before they become more widely recognized.

"Including myself, we're still quite new to the world of Chinese wines," Giordano said. "My sommelier team, our guests, and I, are all on a journey of discovery, and that's what makes it so exciting."

"We want to explore these wines and support what we believe is one of the most promising emerging wine regions in the world. While there's still a lot for us to learn, we're eager to deepen our understanding and share that experience with our guests," he said.

Wong, from Modu Bar and Kitchen, said, the restaurant's philosophy is to celebrate contemporary Asian flavors while respecting tradition. "Ningxia wines align perfectly with that vision — they represent a new generation of Chinese craftsmanship that is innovative, ambitious, and world-class," he said.

Offering Ningxia wines allows Modu to introduce diners to another side of China beyond its cuisine, creating a more complete dining experience and encouraging cultural discovery through food and wine, he said.

Compared with many Australian reds, Ningxia wines often show greater freshness and elegance while still offering good structure. Wong described them as sitting somewhere between the richness of some New World wines and the restraint often found in classic European styles.

Perth is a multicultural city with a vibrant food and wine culture. Diners are curious, adventurous, and open to trying new experiences, making it an ideal market for introducing premium Chinese wines, he said.

"Wine dinners, tasting exhibitions, and staff recommendations all play an important role in building awareness and confidence among consumers," Wong said.

As more Australians discover the quality of Ningxia wines, he believes they will receive greater recognition alongside wines from established areas like Australia, France and Italy, he said.

"The biggest challenge isn't the wine itself — it's familiarity. Some customers are initially hesitant simply because they haven't heard of Ningxia before," he said.

"Once they taste the wines and learn about the region's winemaking story, many become enthusiastic supporters and are happy to recommend them to friends."