China expects to become the second-largest market for wine by 2021, replacing the UK, as young consumers' preferences are evolving, experts said.

有关专家表示，由于年轻消费者越来越青睐葡萄酒，到2021年，中国将取代英国成为世界第二大葡萄酒市场。

China's wine market size is expected to reach $23 billion in sales revenue by 2021 with an average annual growth rate of more than 30%, suggesting the strong wine-consumption potential of the country, according to a recent report.

近期的一份报告称，到2021年，中国葡萄酒市场的销售额规模将达230亿美元，平均年增长率超过30%，这表示中国的葡萄酒消费潜力巨大。

"It's a common phenomenon¹, also in developed countries, that when the economy does well, low-alcohol beverage² becomes more popular," said Li Demei, a wine expert from the Beijing University of Agriculture.

北京农学院葡萄酒专家李德美称：“当经济形势较好的时候，低度酒精饮料就会大受欢迎，这是一种普遍现象，在发达国家也是如此。”

Drinking spirits or hard liquor may easily get young consumers drunk and even result in poor behavior. That's why, drinks like wine with relatively³ milder flavor and low alcohol content are considered a wiser choice, he said.

他表示，喝白酒或烈性酒很容易让年轻消费者醉倒，甚至会导致不良行为。这就是为什么，像葡萄酒这样味道相对较淡、酒精含量较低的酒，被认为是更明智的选择。

Agreed Guillaume Deglise, CEO of Vinexpo. "In China, knowledge and educational background are gradually replacing wealth as the symbol of people's social status. And wine sales benefit from this change," Deglise said.

Vinexpo总裁纪尧姆·底格里斯对此表示赞同。底格里斯说道：“在中国，知识和教育背景正在逐渐取代财富，成为人们社会地位的象征。而葡萄酒的销售则从这一变化中受益。”

Wine sales are rising as the post-1990s generation has been joining the workforce⁴. The millennials tend to care more about their own feelings and physical condition.

随着90后参加工作，葡萄酒的销量正在上升。千禧一代更关心自己的感受和身体状况。

In addition, women show a special preference for wine compared with men because drinking wine is more elegant than drinking beer.

此外，相较男性，女性对葡萄酒表现得更为情有独钟，因为喝葡萄酒会比喝啤酒更优雅。