NSW wine exports target middle class Chinese

New South Wales winegrowers are among the faster growing exporters of wine to China, according to State Government figures.

Wine exports to China have increased by 260 per cent in the past year with 94 per cent of wine consumed in China being red.

Griffith winemaker Darren De Bortoli says overall China was a small export market, but it was expected to grow.

"The reason why China is going to become a very important export market is the rapid development of the middle class," he said.

"I would imagine with that increasing affluence, the demand for wine will increase dramatically in the future.

"I would imagine there would be a move away from the lower end wines they are currently consuming to the more expensive wine."