Changyu ranked world's 4th best-selling wine

Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine is the fourth best-selling wine brand in the world, according to a recent list published by UK trade publication The Drinks Business.

The 125-year-old company from Yantai, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province, sold 15 million cases of wine in 2016, according to the list.

The top three spots on the list were taken by Barefoot from the US, by far the world's largest wine market, Concha y Toro of Chile, and Gallo, another popular American brand.

Another list released in July by World's Top Most also placed Changyu fourth among the top 10 best-selling wine brands in the world.

According to The Drinks Business, Changyu's export drive is beginning to show tangible results, with the brand now sold in all key European markets including Russia, where its Château Changyu Moser XV Cabernet Sauvignon has proved a sell-out success.

This year, Tesco and Sainsbury's, the UK's two leading supermarket chains, began selling Chateau Changyu Moser XV Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 at 7 pounds ($9) a bottle, and Changyu Noble Dragon for 8 pounds.

"At a great introductory offer of 7 pounds, this wine offers customers an opportunity to discover a unique but quality wine at an affordable price," said James David, Tesco's master of wine, on Changyu's appearance on Tesco's shelves.

Changyu wine has also made inroads into high-end wine markets in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Russia and the US.

During this year's ProWein, one of the wine industry's biggest trade shows, Changyu Moser Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Ningxia was included in famous British wine critic Jancis Robinson's presentation of her personal ProWein favorites.

Two of the premium wines Changyu's Ningxia winery sold in Europe. [Photo provided to China Daily]

With cumulative sales of over 460 million bottles so far, Noble Dragon has become one of the best-selling wines in the world.

Changyu is looking to support its overseas expansion by expanding its network of overseas wineries.

In recent years, the company has spent millions buying up vineyards abroad, making acquisitions in countries including France, Spain and Chile.

Photo taken on Dec 13, 2010 shows Changyu's wine cellar in Beijing. [Photo/VCG]

Visitors show interest in products from Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co Ltd at an expo in Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo/China Daily]