The wine scene in China has exploded over the past two decades. Marcus Ford will regale the brethren and guests with a look at some of the key drivers of the roller coaster that has been the modern China wine market, from domestic production, the Bordeaux boom and bust, to wine for health, and the big winners and losers in the market and what we might expect to see going forward.
Born in Hong Kong, Marcus Ford started in the food and beverage industry at Oddbin's in the UK, and as a pastry chef in Hong Kong, working to fund trips around Asia during his student years. After receiving a degree in French and European Literature, he joined Harvey Nichols for the opening of the Oxo Tower restaurant in London.
Marcus came to Shanghai to interview for a position in Hong Kong in 1999 and never left. 10 years at M on the Bund gave him a privileged seat at the very small wine table of the time in the days of hand carrying wine to create a restaurant wine list to serve the great and good on the Bund during those heady, early 2000's. A veteran of the China wine scene, Marcus then went on to start a retail wine business which was subsequently acquired by Woolworth's of Australia. He now runs wines of South Africa in Asia whilst still based in Shanghai.
Marcus is an experienced wine taster and has previously judged at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards and many other regional competitions. He is a speaker on the Chinese wine market and has presented at Vinexpo and numerous other conferences in the region.