Armed with a map of China's wine regions and an open mind, I trotted off to the tasting, which by coincidence landed on the vernal equinox an appropriate time to challenge my taste buds and try something new.

WSJ: Will Lyons on Wine: Indulge in China's Latest Export | Off Duty Europe Spring 25

And China has submitted a map that seems to assert ownership of a vast part of the South China sea.

ECONOMIST: The scramble for the seabed

After naval clashes with Vietnam and the Philippines -- which claim parts of the South China Sea alongside Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan -- China has further angered its neighbours by printing a map of its extensive maritime claim, known as the "nine-dotted line" in new passports.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Earlier this week, Sina, a leading Chinese online media company, announced a strategic partnership with AutoNavi Holdings Limited, a provider of digital map content and navigation and location-based solutions in China, in an effort to enhance the social, location and mobile offerings of both the companies.

FORBES: Sina Enhances Its Mobile Portfolio By Partnering With AutoNavi

This seems based on a 1940s map giving China virtually the whole sea, ignoring the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

ECONOMIST: The South China Sea becomes a zone of eternal dispute

"What I don't quite understand why they spend so long debating international issues in a country where 70% of people probably wouldn't be able to locate China on the map, " said another user.

WSJ: Chinese Watch Debate Online, Take to Sina Weibo With Commentary