(Thewest) - A shift towards higher-priced and bottled wine exports to China has given a glimmer of hope to beleaguered West Australian wine producers struggling to survive against a wave of cheap imported competition, shrinking markets and cutthroat retailing. One of the toughest periods in the history of the Australian wine industry has pushed many producers to the brink, with some pouring money in - often from other businesses - to remain afloat in the hope of riding out the storm.