33 - China

Question 1

Describe the growing conditions common in China’s wine-producing regions. Use the examples of Shandong, Xinjinag, and Yunnan.

Answer 1

• Continental, cold, dry winters
• heavy summer rainfall
• growing conditions vary considerably
• Shandong (coast) → warm maritime → rot
• Xinjinag → dry, continental, warm, short growing season, winter snow, altitude mods, frost
• Yunnan sub-tropical + humid, HIGH altitude, no need to bury vines

Question 2

The extreme continentality in many of China’s wine-producing regions necessitate what? (2)

Answer 2

1. Vines buried → labour, adds 20-30% to $; severe shortages
2. Irrigation

Question 3

What unique system of training is used in China and why?

Which systems is this often replacing and why?

Answer 3

Chang system spur-pruned vines with trunk trained bending down for easy burial

Multi Cordon Fan has multiple fruiting zones causing uneven rip + suite high Y

Question 4

Name factors that have caused quality problems in China (6)

Answer 4

1. Dense canopies
2. Extensive fertilisers
3. Excessive irrigation

All 3 support high Y, low Q

4. Focus on Cab and Carmenere → green
5. Lack of viti training + expertise
6. Lack of good Q planting material → becoming less

Question 5

How does the political system make improving viticultural quality more difficult?

Answer 5

Gov’t control over agricultural land means changes must be sanctioned by bureaucracy

Question 6

Which grape varieties are most widely planted in China?

Answer 6

Question 7

Describe winemaking in China. To what extent has it improved?

Answer 7

Red BDX → heavy extraction, extended oak for prem

improvement with less VA + Brett + better ability to extract given improved canopy mngt → more phenolic rip