China develops a taste for wine

Number of the day

156 million

That's how many cases of wine were bought by Chinese consumers last year, making the country the world's fifth-largest wine market. As China's nouveau riche spend lavishly on wine, copycat French chateaus - as well as Mission-style Napa Valley knockoffs - are rising out of the countryside. Since China lacks a winemaking tradition, the emphasis is still on imports. But local wines are improving while boutiques are partnering with renowned French winemakers and winning awards.

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"We've had churches where the preacher was passing the plate on Sunday, collecting phones to sell."

Mark Bowles, chief marketing officer and founder of EcoATM, on how the company's mobile-phone kiosks, which allow users to exchange their unwanted devices for cash, can be a vehicle for raising money for charity. There are about 150 of the San Diego-based company's ATMs across the United States. The machines use cameras, artificial intelligence and proprietary algorithms to assess the value of a phone and spit out a cash offer. The going rate for a slightly damaged iPhone 4 or 4S is about $175.

Heads up

San Francisco's new environmentally friendly checkout bag law goes into effect Monday. Those who don't bring their own carriers on their next shopping trip should be prepared to reach for their wallets. The new ordinance requires that all retailers, with the exception of restaurants, bakeries and take-out joints, switch to paper or compostable bags from plastic bags and charge customers 10 cents for each bag they provide.

Source: http://feeds.sfgate.com/click.phdo?i=d17d891eff36e596a0e5f5c5a01e4999

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