Separately, around 40% said that they were less likely to go out to a bar or café, and 39% were less likely to host celebrations in public.

Some trade professionals reported at the end of May that consumers were becoming more comfortable going out and socialising, as more Mainland Chinese cities began easing travel restrictions.

‘Although there hasn’t been a “revenge spending spree” as some expected, thankfully most high-end restaurants have regained 50% to 60% of their business by now,’ said Lu Yang MS, China’s first Master Sommelier and founder of Grapea Wine Education.

‘Your relationship with your customers prior to lockdown is essential to how quickly you can bring the business back,’ he added.

Boutique restaurants and wine bars face cash flow pressure, which could have an impact on wine lists.

‘Before the pandemic, premium restaurateurs wouldn’t hesitate to stock up top wines, because they knew these would eventually sell,’ said Lu. ‘But now they really need to think twice about the quantity and quality that they can afford to buy.’

The hospitality sector is expecting a full recovery in September to October, said Lu. ‘Businesses need to heal from the last four months first,’ he added.

Lady Penguin reopened its cognominal wine bar in Beijing on 20th May, a day regarded by millennial netizens as a day to shop and eat out, as ‘520’ resonates with ‘I love you’ in Chinese.

‘We had a full house over the weekend,’ said Wang. ‘People must have been bored sick when stuck at home.’

Lu said, ‘People’s appetite for wine hasn’t disappeared due to the pandemic.

‘Those who are quick to adjust the price, good at choosing the right wine and capable of offering high quality, personalised services will hopefully bounce back the quickest.’

Wine students have started returning to the classroom, said Lu, whose Shanghai- d Grapea Wine Education had been holding weekly virtual classes during quarantine.

‘It will take some time for the wine schools and events to regain the momentum, but our business is largely back to normal,’ said the sommelier and educator.

‘Though we have resumed most of our classes, we can see that some of our students are under financial distress – a few are asking whether they can pay the tuition in several instalments.’

Lu was quick to add that he believes online tastings will continue to exist and develop, after becoming more popular during the lockdown.

Wine and & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) lessons also returned to the classroom in China from early April.

‘I’m very happy to see that China is now leading the way to return to classroom teaching for WSET courses. This gives hope to the rest of the world, which is mostly still in lockdown,’ said Ian Harris, CEO of the WSET.

WSET has been running online courses and some exams online while countries have been in lockdown.