WINES OF THE WORLD 🇨🇳 China Flashcards
Climate of China
Continental, with very cold and arid winters. Some regions are affected by heavy summer rains while others by very small quantities.
Hazards in China
Leaf roll virus. According to the region, frost winter, arid conditions, and wet weather.
Main grape varieties of China
90% table grapes or raisins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère. Also indigenous varieties (V. amurensis is resistant to cold), but unusual aromas.
Main training systems in China
The former with ungrafted vines on Multi Cordon Fan system (multiple cordons grown from a very low trunk, popular in the table grape industry) or the Single Dragon system (single trunk at a slight angle as a spur-pruned cordon), designed for high yields. Conversion to spur-pruned Chang shaped systems (trunk trained in a bended form allowing for easier burial and ensuring a unified fruiting zone).
Multi Cordon Fan system
A training system used in China, multiple cordons are grown from a very low trunk, popular in the table grape industry.
Single Dragon system
A training system used in China, single trunk at a slight angle as a spur-pruned cordon.
Chang shaped systems
A training system used in China, spur-pruned, trunk trained in a bended form allowing for easier burial and ensuring a unified fruiting zone.
Key viticulture operations for vines in China
In the coldest winter areas - Vines have to be buried in November to survive low winter temperatures. Dug out in March-April. Burying and dug-out vines require advanced manual labour skills, adding cost (older generations ask for higher pay for their expertise).
In the wettest areas - Canopy management is fundamental to avoid the development of rot.
In the driest areas - Irrigation through the use of water from the mountains (snow) and rivers.
Heilongjiang and Jilin
Extreme winter cold, vine burying is essential.
Beijing and Hebei
Chinese wine regions. Humid continental climate, warm humid summers and cold winters, often torrential rain in August and September, annual low rainfall, cool Pacific breezes (less fungal diseases). Older vineyards on flat land with poor drainage and fertile soils, while newers are on better sites. No burying close to the ocean.
Shandong
Chinese wine region. On the E coast, warm maritime, rainfall before or during the harvest, high rainfall (rot).
Shanxi and Shaanxi
Chinese wine regions. Dry continental, higher humidity in Shaanxi (fungal disease).
Ningxia
Chinese wine region. Arid continental, windy conditions, irrigation is needed (water from the Yellow River). The best area in the Helan Shan where mountains protect from the NW desert winds.
Xinjiang and Gansu
Chinese wine regions. NW, Xinjiang is dry, possibility of short growing season due to early winter snow, windy conditions, frost but water availability and warm climate are ideal for high volume production. Gansu is very drier, short growing season, slightly cooler than Xinjiang.
Yunnan
Chinese wine region. Sub-tropical humid climate, vineyards on slopes at high altitude, including in the foothills of the Himalayas, moderate temperature and reduced humidity. Long frost-free season (no vine burying).
Main Chinese wine regions
- Heilongjiang and Jilin
- Beijing and Hebei
- Shandong
- Shanxi and Shaanxi
- Ningxia
- Xinjiang and Gansu
- Yunnan
Legislation for wine in China
All wine (also imported) is treated as a food product. Declaration of a product of 100% fermented grape juice with the indication of alcoholic strength as well as production date and shelf-life indicators. Wine is taxed as an industrial product rather than agricultural, so +10%. Higher price than other alcoholic drinks.
The largest Chinese wine companies
Changyu, Great Wall and Dynasty.
Types of wines made in China
Mainly red wines, usually dry, with or without new oak influence. Some off-dry and sweet reds. Small amount of rosés and whites.
