Ch. 33 – China Flashcards
Most planted grape in China
Cabernet Sauvignon
followed by Merlot and Carmenere (Cabernet Gernischt)
Local name for Carmenere
Cabernet Gernischt
Key developments in the history of wine in China
late 19th century - Zhang Bishi
- imported around 150 v. vinifera varietied to China
- founded Changyu winery in Yantai
- due to political events, wine industry did not develop till 20th century
1980s
- Government partnered with French government and Remy Martin to create Sino-French winery in Huailai
- Dynasty label
- Pernod Ricard joint venture - Dragon Seal brand
- LVMH’s Chandon sparkling wine in Ningxia
- Anti-extravagance measures negatively affected wine business in China
1990s
- government encourages wine industry to replace cereal-based spirits (health and shortage of grains)
% of vineyard area devoted to wine production (estimate)
10%
the rest goes into table grapes and raisins
- higher profits
- fruits as premium gift
Anti-extravagance measures
Ban of gifting wine to government officials
Climate
Nearly all regions marked continental climate
- very cold and arid winters
- vines have to be burried as early as November
- Heavy summer rains
Regions can have very different climates
Reason to bury vines over winter
When?
Problems
Against winter freeze
Vines underground retain more water
Typically done in November and dug out again in March-April
Needs advances manual labour skills
Adds 20-30% of production costs
Parts can be mechanized but never entirely
Availability of labour is issue
Heilongjian and Jilin regions
far north east
Extreme winter cold (winter burrial essential)
Beijing and Hebei regions
Coastal regions
- humid continental climate
- warm humid summers and cold winters
- torrential rain in August and September
(however low rainfall 200-300mm per year)
Cool Pacific breezes moderate the warm temperatures and reduce humidity levels
- still enough to make fungal diseases challenge
Older vineyards - flat land - poor drainage and fertile soils
- high yields, poor quality
Newer vineyards on better sites
Vines close to coast do not need to be burried (saving cost)
Largest challenges in Beijing and Hebei
excessive short term rain
humidity
over-rich soils
winter freeze (inland)
Shandong
East coast
Warm maritime climate
- wetter
- rain during harvest (August-September)
- rot is constant problem
Shanxi and Shaanxi
inland, central regions
Dry continental climate (less than 500mm)
- humid in south (fungal diseases)
Ningxia
Inland, arid continetal climate (200mm)
- monsoon rains
- very windy (evapotranspiration)
- irrigaiton water from Yellow river
Best area is in Helan Shan (Helan Mountains) region
- mountains protect from the worst of north-west dessert winds
Xinjiang and Gansu
Extremely dry (only 80mm in many areas)
- winter snow as early as October
- short growing season
- very windy
- Frost is a problem
- High altitude in south (1,100m) - frost in Autumn as well
- availability of water from snow enables high volume production
Gansu is slightly cooler
Yunnan
far south Sub-tropical humid climate - vineyards on slopes (1600-2900m) - foothills of Himalayas - moderate temperatures and reducing humidity - Long frost-free season - vines do not need to be burried