by David Roach, Warwick Ross
With some 3000 Châteaux, West France’s Bordeaux region has long defended its mythical status, which has brought it prosperity and power in the world of wine. Because its affluent customers have remained just so over the years, success depended more on the mood of the weather than the influence of the global economy. But the face of one of the most traditional markets is changing: While its customer base in Europe and the USA is shrinking, the Chinese market is growing – and propelling the prices of this prestigious red drop skywards. Led by Russel Crowe, we travel in RED OBSESSION from Bordeaux to Peking, meeting passionate wine producers in the west dreaming of big money, and Chinese collectors in the east, hoping to improve their image by adopting the values associated with the Bordeaux brand.