Historical Events, Achievements, Challenges and Prospects of the Grape Industry in Mainland of China

Based on over 45 years’ data, this paper aims to explore the major historical events, challenges and prospects of development of the grape industry in China. Ancient Chinese collected native wild grapes as fruits 2,700 ago. The V. vinifera grapevines were planted in Turpan 2,300 years ago. Development of the industry has five distinctive stages from ancient China to the present. The unique ancient culture using grapevines, grapes and wines as materials was colorfully and emotionally embodied in Chinese antiques. The grapevines are currently planted in the eight regions across the country, but the wine industry mainly distributes in the five regions. Chinese wild grapes are valuable resources for resistance breeding. Though remarkable achievements in the past four decades, extension of rootstocks, improvement of field management, development of grape storage technology, are challenges in the current viticulture of China.