The wine thing, especially (expensive) reds is a generation symbol with the Chinese. Beeing in Hong Kong less than 2 months before turn-over in 1997, we went to genuine Chinese restaurants. At the large round tables for 8-12 persons it was an obvious difference, most guys in the 50+ generation drinking Hennessy XO or Martell XO, the fewer tables with the younger guys had Chateaux Petrus, Chateau Lafitte-Rotschild, Chateau Haut Brion or similar on the tables.

Returning last year, we saw a couple of tables (in 5 days) with 80+ aged guys drinking Cognac, 1st and 2nd Cru red Bordeaux were plenty around us in the majority of tables.

But with sugar, fruits or Coke - naaaaaw