Caught napping by a consumer crisis after a series of record years, the French wine trade is lusting after the potentially huge markets of China and India as an outlet for Old World wine sales.

But this may not prevent a restructuring of the cozy grand family-oriented traditional wine industry with its myriad of chateaux still on show at the opening day of the twice-a-year Vinexpo world wine and spirits industry fair. There were many examples present at the Vinexpo fair, where the number of visitors was noticeably lower than in 2007, such as the Alienors grouping of 12 female wine growers.

While European winemakers are eager to export their wares to China, where sales are still small but growing fast, Chinese capital appears keener on buying into Bordeaux.

"No. no, I do not give discounts for big volume, I produce for quality not for volume," a potential female Chinese buyer was told, while drinks were poured for the assembled visitors. "And no, I cannot give you exclusivity for all of the mainland."

Many of the local dynasties have had foreign infusions, be it in blood or capital, as the Rothschild families or the Suntory group can testify. Simon Bradford, export director at traders Ballade & Meneret said the crisis will cut Bordeaux prices down to a level that will make them attractive to more consumers, but might also be the final, impassable obstacle for houses with shaky finances.

More: Yahoo News