The origins of wine(1)
The origin of grapevines is a tangled vine itself, but genetics is untangling it. According to THE Bible, Noah was the first man to make wine. He was also, not unrelatedly, the first man to drink to excess, be found naked in his own vineyard, and wake up with a hangover. But, certain colourful details aside, this legend of the most premier of crus is not too far off the standard picture of the birth of viticulture: a single domestication that happened thousands of years in the past. But how...
Lingering Aroma Mellow Taste(3)
The life of the town is closely tied to the land, and people's daily lives are a sediment of history and culture. The essence of Changle people can be seen in a bowl of sweet wine, with a thousand-year-old story of Changle condensed into this bowl of sweetness. Changle sweet wine, a symbol of longevity and peace in Changle.
Lingering Aroma Mellow Taste(2)
The process of authentic Changle sweet wine is not complicated but very meticulous. It requires carefully selected 'Sanlicun' sticky rice, soaked and repeatedly washed with deep well water. The drained rice is then steamed in a traditional wooden steamer. After cooling, high-quality local yeast is sprinkled on the cooked rice, which is then sealed in jars and naturally fermented in a greenhouse at about 30 degrees Celsius. After about 2 to 3 days, upon opening the jar, a full-bodied wine aroma...
Lingering Aroma Mellow Taste(1)
Under the first rays of the morning sun, a piping hot bowl of sweet wine with egg often becomes the warm choice of many Hunan households. This authentic delicacy is known for its lingering aroma and mellow taste. In the Changle Town of Miluo City, an ancient sweet wine brewing technique has been passed down for a thousand years, preserving this special sweetness. Rumor has it that Emperor Qianlong stayed at Changle during his three trips to Jiangnan and was attracted by the bouquet of the sweet...
The development of brewing
Generally speaking,the development of brewing technology in China falls into two stages. The first stage that is of natural fermentation lasted thousands of years. The second stage began only with the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911)when the traditional fermentation underwent great changes due to the use of the Western technology, including micro biology and biochemistry.
Famous Chinese wine
Many famous Chinese wine of present day developed from ancient times-mainly from the Ming and the Qing dynasties. On the 1 st National Wine Appraisal Conference of 1952,eight brands of famous Chinese wine were awarded a prize:Guizhou Maotai,Shanxi Fenjiu,Shaanxi Xifeng, Luzhou Laojiao,Shaoxing Jiafan,Red Rose Grape Wine, Weimeisi and Special Fine Brandy. On the 2nd National Wine Appraisal Conference of 1963,eighteen brands of wine were awarded a prize:Maotai,Fenjiu,Xifeng,Luzhou Laojiao Twice...
Sake to Me: The Art of Drinking Sake(2)
Drinking sake, like most Japanese things, has an art to it.When you order sake it is usually served in a small carafe like container called a tokkuri, along with small cups called ochoko. If you`re drinking in Japan, it is typical that the subordinate person always pours for their superiors. Usually this is determined by age, job position, etc.– But don`t fret over trying to figure this out, because, trust me, if you`re already living in Japan, you know what your status is.Otherwise just try to...
Sake to Me: The Art of Drinking Sake(1)
Sake is a drink that has been made in Japan for thousands of years. All across Japan there are sake breweries, dozens of different brands, and sake festivals. And again, most regions have their own something special to contribute. So just what is sake and why is it so popular? When most foreigners think of Japanese sake, they think [rice wine". However, sake is an alcohol made from rice, but it is not a rice wine. Just like traditionally, vodka is made from potatoes and rum is made from sugar,...
Shaoxing rice wine takes spotlight in London
The World Journey of Shaoxing Huangjiu event is held in London on Dec 7. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn] The World Journey of Shaoxing Huangjiu event commenced as the Gu Yue Long Shan brand, a part of the China Shaoxing Yellow Rice Wine Group Co, hosted the "Zhi Ci Qing Yu" tasting event on Regent Street, London, on Dec 7. More than 50 esteemed guests, including Marie Cheong Thong, a member of the International Wine & Spirit Competition Spirits Judging Committee, and wine and sparkling...
Tips of drinking wine
Wine lovers have many different ways to enjoy their favourite glass of plonk. Whether that's decanting the bottle, picking a wider cup to drink from, or swirling the glass before tasting. However, do any of these things make a difference? Well, some work better than others. But let's dive in with some fact or fiction: 1. Does the shape of the glass affect the taste of the wine? Although this sounds like something that's definitely made up, it's actually true! As Mandy Oser, a sommelier from New...
Heqing Royal Liquor
There is a fairly legendary mystery denoting the origin of Heqing (A county in Northwestern part of Yunnan province) Royal Wine. It is said that when Emperor Qianlong inspected the southern areas of the Yangtze River, during one feast, his Majesty was presented with the locally produced Liquor of West Dragon Pond (A pond in Heqing County), which was refreshing with a flavor of natural herbs. After a taste, his Majesty, who has enjoyed the world`s most delicious liquors and wines, praised: [What...
Yellow wine
Yellow wine(made of rice or millet) is a good representative example of Chinese wine culture. Yellow wine experts have suggested making yellow wine China`s[national wine".This is because yellow wine has over 5 000 years of history,and its alcoholic content is not high,conforming to the modem trend toward drinking low-alcohol beverages. Less grain is used in produding yellow wine than white liquor, and yet the former has a higher nutritive value. If beer is called [liquid bread",then yellow wine...
Drinkers' wager game
During the period of drinking,people often played a drinkers' wager game. When playing the game,one person was in charge and the others obeyed him and would be punished if they violated the rules. It has been very popular since the Tang Dynasty. The drinkers must first drink up their cups of wine completely before they were qualified to play the game. There are descriptions of this wager game in many Chinese literary classics,such as A Dream of Red Mansions(The Story of the Stone ) and Stories...
Spaces of drinking wine
Wine has been considered as a special culture in China. Poor people and rich people both drink wine. To describe the excessive extravagance of the nobles,it was said:[wine fills a pool;meat forms a forest";and [wine and meat decay inside the vermilion door." Sending off an army on expedition or celebrating triumph,wedding, anniversary or alliance treaties signing ceremonies,wine is always present. On occasions of tomb sweeping,wine is sprinkled at the ftont and on the top of tombs in honor of...
Beer
American beer, with very few exceptions, varies from the mediocre to the terrible. There are not many types of beer in the US-"light" and "dark" are two terms commonly used. It is therefore normal to order beer simply by brand name. In a restaurant, in fact, it is quite all right to order "a beer", and they will tell youwhat they have. It is not necessary, either, to specify quantity when ordering beer. If it comes in bottles or cans, you will get a bottle or can, and if it's "on tap" you will...
Sino-Japanese bonds strengthened over a glass of Shaoxing huangjiu
On a bustling Tuesday in Tokyo, a unique celebration of culture and taste unfurled. The "World Wine Tour - Japan" kicked off, shining a global spotlight on a hidden gem - Shaoxing huangjiu wine and the literary city of Shaoxing itself. This inaugural event also marked the beginning of an intriguing global promotion, promising an international odyssey of flavors and traditions. Photo provided to Shaoxing publicity department The event was no ordinary affair, achieving five groundbreaking...
Wine
It is hard to say how long people have been drinking wine. Wine is far older than recorded history. Some experts say it is even as old as civilization itself. The first wine ever made was probably an accident. People in ancient times might have picked ripe grapes. Some juicy grapes at the bottom of the container were crushed together. As the grapes broke open,yeasts on the skins went to work turning sugar from the fruit into alcohol. This is the fermentation process that turns grape juice into...
China Oriental Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd. and China Shaoxing Yellow Rice Wine Group Co., Ltd. Released the Jointly-designed Guoniang 1959 Huangjiu Named
On the morning of April 9, China Oriental Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd. and China Shaoxing Yellow Rice Wine Group Co., Ltd. have released the jointly-designed Gu Yue Long Shan Guoniang 1959 Huangjiu (the cyan version) named "Only Poetic Dance, Only Palatable Wine" . Mr. Song Shuyu, president of China Alcoholic Drinks Association, Mr. Xu Mingguang, president of Shaoxing Huangjiu Industry Association, and Mr. Jing Xiaoyong, secretary of the Party committee and chairman of China Oriental...
The history of Huangjiu
Huangjiu, with a long history, is one of the three major fermented wines in the world. The unique climate, the advantaged environment, the Jianhu Lake water suitable for brewing and the thousand-year-old brewing technology have created mellow Shaoxing Huangjiu with the unique quality and profound connotation. According to the archaeological materials, Shaoxing people begun to brew the primal rice wine or grain wine more than 7000 years ago. And Shaoxing Jiu has a written history of more than...
What should we say when we drink with Japanese and Korean friends?(5)
Good wish: let more people share Shaoxing wine After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, Pagoda Huangjiu and Gu Yue Long Shan Huangjiu are exported to Japan, and now Shaoxing Huangjiu is also sold in South Korea. In 1994, Gu Yue Long Shan obtained the right of import and export, actively explored the international market, especially the Japanese market, and achieved good results. Japanese consumers believe that once Shaoxing wine are accpeted by Japanese families...
What should we say when we drink with Japanese and Korean friends?(4)
The flavor of Huangjiu is unique and different from that of other kinds of wine. Shaoxing wine is amber, clear, transparent, mellow, soft and fresh, with harmonious body. In particular, many Japanese people like Shaoxing Huangjiu. For example, Aya, a hot young housewife in Japan, shares the food she cooks for her husband every day. The food is accompanied by Gu Yue Long Shan wine which is exported to Japan.
What should we say when we drink with Japanese and Korean friends?(3)
At last year's Shaoxing Huangjiu Festival, An Jiongyu, the Doctor of Administration and the President of Korea International Exchange Promotion Institute, drank warm Shaoxing Huangjiu for the first time and felt very good. He said that Shaoxing Huangjiu is famous all over the world for its excellent quality and taste. He only knew Gu Yue Long Shan, Nv Er Hong and Kuaijishan Huangjiu before. And he got to konw so many other kinds of Huangjiu after visiting Shaoxing. He likes to drink Huangjiu,...
What should we say when we drink with Japanese and Korean friends? (2)
Wonderful enjoyment makes it impossible for us to live without Shaoxing wine China, Japan and South Korea have a long history of wine culture, and Japanese wine culture is deeply influenced by Chinese wine culture. Japanese wine and Chinese wine are similar in raw materials, brewing methods, classification standards and drinking methods. Shaoxing wine is very popular in Japan and Korea. Japan is the largest overseas market of Shaoxing Huangjiu. Mellow and healthy Shaoxing wine with low alcohol...
