Evidently Singapore has been importing more wine in recent years, and have even expanded its sources beyond traditionally French and Californian wineries to a wider a degree Australian imports, and in smaller scale countries like Chile and Argentina.  Even as more and more people are catching on with wine drinking, it could not catch up with the number of new wines coming into Singapore. 

On the 2nd day of Chinese New Year Channel News Asia had their cameras  zoomed in on Clinton Ang, creator of Cornerstone Wines for a special news clip on wine drinking in Singapore.  Clinton revealed some very interesting figures that you and I, people with special interest in wine would like to know.  Hock Tong Bee, a pioneer in the wine & spirits business had about 80% of its business concentrated in spirits, and 20% in wine.  That has changed since Clinton became its managing director.  The exact reverse, Hock Tong Bee is now doing 80% in wine and 20% in spirits.  It was no coincidence as I recalled what Aloysius Ang, Clinton's late father told me some ten years ago.  He said, people are gradually giving up spirits for wine, and at between 1996 & 1997, they were seeing a drop in about 25% in spirits sales then.  It takes an experienced hand like Aloysius to spot an accurate prediction, and of course the determination of Clinton pressing on with his dad's vision that makes Hock Tong Bee a major player in the wine fraternity.