China Wine Country
There is no country in the world where viticulture has increased as much as in China. The country now has a vineyard area of 830,000 hectares. But most of it is used for the production of table grapes. It is estimated that only around 15 percent is made into wine.
What was originally a drink of the rich has now become a lifestyle drink. The main focus here is on light, sweetish red wines, which are also popular as mixed drinks with tonic or lemonade.
Chinese Wine Regions
The largest wine-growing region in China is the Bohai region in the Shandong province. There is a warm, humid monsoon climate with high rainfall. Red wine is traditionally produced in this wine region. The leading grape variety here is the international Cabernet Sauvignon. But as well the heat-resistant Marselan has become more important here. This grape variety is a crossing between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache Noir.
The main focus is on the city of Zhangjiakou northeast of Beijing in the province of Hebei. The large production company Great Wall is also based here.
Over the past few years, Chinese wines have repeatedly received large awards abroad for large samples, a positive signal that also has an impact on the Chinese market.
Small Boutique Wineries that Produce High-Quality Wines
In addition to big names like LMVH, Pernod Ricard, Rothschild, there are also many so-called boutique wineries. There are the wines of Judy Chan from Grace Vineyard, probably the most famous family winery, which also finds their way beyond the country's borders. The wines of the winemaker »Crazy« Wang Fang from her Kanaan Winery in Ningxia are also appealing. Emma Gao is also one of the well-known Chinese winemakers, she built the Silver Heights winery in Ningxia together with her French husband Thierry Courtade, whom she met during an internship at Château Calon-Ségur in Bordeaux.
Frequently asked questions about
China Wine Country
Does China produce any wine?
Who is the largest wine producer in China?
How many wineries are in China?
How many wine regions are in China?
Where are Chinese wineries?
Is China a new world wine country?
What is Chinese cooking wine?
Chinese cooking wine is known in China as “Liaojiu”. It is made of yellow wine and contains varies spices like Chinese cinnamon and nutmegs. Its alcohol content is below 15% and rich in amino acids. The wine is used in cooking to reduce the fishy smell and greasiness of meat, fish and sea food.
Map of Wineries in China
Discover the locations of wineries in China
Wine regions in China
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