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Countries index – Winemaking – Grapes
| China: Winemaking has a long history, back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BCE), A joint Sino-USA archaeology team investigated two Bronze Age sites and discovered signs of grape wine, mead and rice wine ceramic pots. In the 2nd c BCE, Han envoys had brought back grape seeds from the wine-loving kingdom of Dayuan (today’s Uzbekistan) and planted them on imperial lands near the capital Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an, Shaanxi). Grapes were grown in the following centuries in the northwestern region of Gansu, but were not used in the large-scale production of wine. It was during the Tang dynasty (618–907) that the consumption of grape wines become more common, after they had seized an oasis along the Silk Road and learmed winegrowing techniques there. China’s first modern winery, Changyu, was founded in 1892 in Shandong province. At the beginning of Chinese economic reform in 1980, wines were first imported, notably from France. Most local Chinese production was however exported, locals had low incomes. Today, it produces: reds – Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah; whites –Chardonnay, Muscat Hamburg, Petit Mengseng, Vidal, and Welschriesling. It also produces Marselan icewine (CabSauv/Grenache). Its top five regions (by vineyard size): 1. Ningxia (Helan Mountain East), 2. Xinjiang, 3. Shandong, 4. Gansu, 5. Hebei.  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com/china/ |
QUICK LINKS TO CHINA REGIONS
[Dong]
[Shag]
CHINA REGION-BY-REGION
| Dongbei: NE China – known for its cold climate and innovative winemaking techniques, Dongbei offers unique and high-quality wines, particularly ice wines. Winemaking here began in the mid-20th century.  Image source: winechocolateharmony.com Areas: East Wuleng City (Mongolia). Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Vitis amurensis White: Chardonnay, Riesling, Rose Honey Grape, Vidal blanc  Image source: winechocolateharmony.com | Shandong: East coast – halfway between Beijing and Shanghai, with a population larger than Germany. Its first vineyard plantings date to the early 19th c. China’s largest wine-producing region – 40% of total. It boasts the oldest and largest wine company in China – Changyu Winery founded in 1892.  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com Areas: Yantai-Penglai (Qingdao) plus Rizhao, Tai’an, Weihai, Weifang, Zaozhuang Grapes: Red: Beichun, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère (Cabernet Gernischt), Marselan, Merlot, White: Chardonnay, Longyan, Niu Niang, Riesling, Shiliu  Image source: wynnresortsmacau.com |
[Gans]
[Shax]
| Gansu: NW China – in the Hexi Corridor, part of the Silk Road, with the Yellow River running through its south. The Gobi desert sits north of here, and the Tibetan Plateaus south of it. It has a history of winemaking that dates back almost 2,400 years. However it =s remote location creates transportation issues.  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com Areas: Jiayuguan, Wuwei (77%), Zhangye Grapes: Red: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir White: Chardonnay, Riesling, Welschriesling  Image source: decanter.com | Shanxi: Winemaking here dates back to the Tang Dynasty. Poet and philosopher, Liu Yuxi (772-842 CE), wrote a poem called Song of the Grape: ‘…We men of Jin, such grapes so fair, Do cultivate as gems most rare; Of these delicious wine we make, for which men never their thirst can slake.‘ Today, it is regarded as an up-and-coming wine-producing region.  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com Areas: Loess Plateau, Taiyuan Basin Grapes: Red: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan, Merlot White: Chardonnay, Chenin blanc  Image source: grapewallofchina.com |
[Hebe]
[Tian]
| Hebei: East Coast – by Beijing. The second-most important Chinese wine region, it produces almost half of the country’s wine.  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com Areas: Changli (coastal), Huailai (hilly, next to Great Wall), Jieshishan (NE), Shacheng Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère (Cabernet Gernischt), Grenache, Marselan, Merlot White: Chardonnay  Image source: wine-searcher.com | Tianjin: SE of Beijing – where the Hai river meets the sea. The city of Tianjin has 15m population. It was home to the first Sino-foreign joint wine venture. in 1980 with Rémy Martin.  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com Areas: Beijing, Fangshan, Miyun, Yanqing Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon White: Chardonnay, Muscat Hamburg  Tianjin – Image source: wine-searcher.com |
[Heil]
[Xinj]
| Heilongjang: NE – along the Russian border. Mostly known for its ice wine production. Home to a grape species called Vitis amurensis, whose Chinese name is also Shan Pu Tao. European grapes (Vitis vinifera), when planted here for winemaking, have to be buried underground to survive the winter. This practice expends one third of vineyard management costs!  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com Areas: Some consider it part of Dongbei. Grapes: Red: Beibinghong, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Vidal, Vitus amurensis White: Chenin blanc, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling  Image source: english.news.cn | Xinjiang: Located by the Tianshan Mountains. This is recognized as the first region in China to grow grapes and make wine, some 2,400 years ago.  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com Areas: Hongsipu, Qingtongxia, Shizuishan, Tarim Basin, Tianshan Mountain North, Turpan-Hami Basin, Yanqi Basin, Yili Valley, Grapes: Red: Flame Seedless, Hotan Red, Kyoho, Purple Seedless, Red Globe, Rizamat White: Crimson Seedless, Horse Milk, Thompson Seedless  Image source: wynnresortsmacau.com |
[Ning]
[Liao]
[Yunn]
| Ningxia: NW – large producers moved into the region in the 1980s. From the mid-2000s onwards, there was a steady increase in quality wine production.  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com Areas: Helan, Hongsipu, Qingtongxia, Shizuishan, Yinchuan Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère (Cabernet Gernischt), Grenache, Malbec, Marselan, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Saperavi, Syrah White: Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Riesling, Viognier, Welschriesling  Image source: markets.businessinsider.com | Yunnan: South – in the foothills of the Himalayas.  Image source: throughthecellardoor.com Areas: Adong, Cizhong, Lancang, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan Grapes: Red: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot – and hybrids brought from France – Crystal, French Wild and Rose Honey. White: Chardonnay, Niagara  Image source: alcoholprofessor.com |
Wines of China
Image source: decanter.com
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