Taste test

Fan Lina, the only Chinese judge on the panel, says she was surprised at the level of talent displayed by the participants this year.

"It is unlikely that Chinese students would have had an opportunity to sample any of those wines included in the test before, as the retail price for those wines in the Chinese market is at least 1,000 yuan a bottle. But there were always teams that gave correct answers to every question in the test, which showed their tasting ability," Fan says.

The team from Sichuan International Studies University will compete with seven other teams in the finals at Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Located in Pauillac on Bordeaux's Medoc peninsula, the home to some of the world's most famous and expensive red wines, this is one of the most acclaimed wine estates in France.

Zeng Haoya, the team leader from Sichuan International Studies University, says she made new friends with the same interests in wine and shared insights with them during the contest.

"Commanderie du Bontemps de Medoc is one of the oldest and biggest French wine appreciation guilds, and its wine culture is awe-inspiring and deeply appealing to me," Zeng says.

Currently an undergraduate who is majoring in French, Zeng says the competition has helped her understand French culture and language better.

"Wine is a social link that can bring people closer. Knowledge of wine culture will also be a useful skill in the workplace, especially in high-end networking environments," she adds.