Vino Joy and IWSC join forces amid China’s wine market surge

We are excited to announce our new partnership with Vino Joy News, the only English-language media platform dedicated to the wine industry in China and Asia.

Vino Joy News and the IWSC are joining forces to bring the latest news and insights to our communities of drinks brands, distributors, and industry professionals.

This partnership comes at a dynamic time for China’s wine market, which is seeing growth in both domestic production and wine imports.

In February 2025, Vino Joy reported that exports of Ningxia wine rose by an impressive 125% in 2024, despite a global economic slowdown that dampened wine sales elsewhere. Interest in imported wines has also surged. Following the removal of tariffs, Australian wines overtook French imports in under a year.

Chinses consumer tastes are becoming more diverse, particularly among younger drinkers, who are increasingly turning to white wines. Vino Joy highlighted Germany as a standout, noting an 8.34% increase in volume (4.66 million litres) and an 8.51% rise in value (US$26.36 million), with Riesling playing a key role in this growth.

This partnership also comes at an exciting time for the IWSC. Following a successful inaugural Chinese wine tasting in-situ in 2024, we have expanded our reach in 2025 Global Judging event. This year we will return to judge wine, this time in Ningxia. Alongside this we have launched a dedicated spirits judging session in Sichuan. Both these events are organised in partnership with Beijing International Wine and Spirit Exchange.

What you can expect from the partnership

Beginning this month, highlights from Vino Joy News will be shared monthly in the IWSC newsletter.

Vino Joy will share news and insights gleaned from IWSC drinks, talent and business awards. In addition to this IWSC medal winners with an interest in Asian markets with have the opportunity to gain extra exposure through the partnership.

We are also pleased to announce that IWSC medal winners will receive preferential rates on Vino Joy’s market intelligence reports. These reports offer in-depth market analysis of Chinese and wider Asian markets.

Natalie Wang, founder of Vino Joy News, said: "The IWSC continues to set the global benchmark for wine and spirits judging, and we are absolutely thrilled to collaborate with such a prestigious organisation. Through this partnership, we are excited to deliver consistent, high-quality coverage and provide the IWSC’s vast community with unparalleled insights into the dynamic wine and spirits markets of China and Asia."

Not a subscriber to the IWSC newsletter? Sign up here.

About Vino Joy News

Vino Joy News is the only English-language media platform dedicated to covering the wine industry in China and Asia. Since its founding in 2019, it has become the most trusted source for news, analysis, and industry intelligence in the region. As an independent wine media outlet, it provides in-depth coverage of market trends, key players, and regulatory developments. With a growing presence across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Asia, Vino Joy News continues to expand its reach, shaping the conversation on Asia’s dynamic drinks market and serving as a vital resource for industry professionals worldwide.

About the IWSC

Since 1969, the IWSC has set the global benchmark for quality wine, spirits, and other drinks categories. Known as the "Olympics of the drinks industry", we evaluate over 12,000 entries annually from more than 90 countries. The IWSC stands out for expert judging, consistent attention to detail, comprehensive categories, and global recognition. For producers, we offer benchmarking, recognition, and business connections. For consumers, IWSC medals signify excellence across a wide selection of drinks. As part of The Conversion Group, our mission is to use competition as a catalyst for community and connection at every level of the industry.

Image: iStock - IL21