What do we hear about China and its wines? That they know little about wine. That they are obsessed with prestige and mix enormously expensive first growth Bordeaux with Coca-Cola. I suspect this may be hogwash but until in China touring their wineries what do I know? As a lawyer I know hearsay evidence is largely inadmissible.
What I know is given China’s off the grid as a tourist destination, its attractive food reputation and intriguing historical sites and regions it may be an explosive player in wine tourism. But what are we to know unless more Chinese wines hit the Canadian marketplace reviewed and discussed in the wine media?
China’s wines are viewed with arrogance. What do they know about wine? There would seem to be some realities of utilization of “flying winemakers” and consultants that lend creds to the emergence of Chinese wines.
Is there an opportunity for Chinese wines in Canada? Perhaps given Canadian’s suspicions and distrust of many things “American” my Chinese readers may be encouraged by the fact some Canadian provinces have denied access to American wines due to Trumpian crude insults to Canada the land of igloo people and threats of annexation as the 51st state. A massive supplier of fentanyl into the United States…a pie faced lie unsupported by evidence. The Trumpian way well be known by Canadians and Chinese. Aggressive falsehoods.
Put another way……China, now is the time to strike if you wish to promote your wines. Get Canadian wine writers over to China and show them “what ya got”, Fill their glasses, show them your beautiful geography and historical sites and feed them your wonderful food.
Aroma: Lush and plush blueberry with smoothness hinted at. Blackberry and dark chocolate.
Palate: Tannins moderate and beautifully controlled acidity. Smooth and coherent. Masterfully intertwined blackberry, cassis with a small amount of tar. Long finish. Youthful.
Cellarbility: A baby wine needing more time in the bottle. A bit tight and reticent. Would give it until 2029 to strut its stuff.
Food Match: Not having been to Ningxia Helan Mountain Eastern Foothills and sampled their cuisine I will soil myself in embarrassment and suggest Hunan Beef.
Personality: Chinese wines have travelled a long road and I think with this wine we are on the way!
Price: $32. Are you on a suicide mission China? At this price from an untested provenance this price shows arrogance and misunderstanding. Are you paying Mosel as your joint venturer a bit too much???
RKS 2026 PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WINES Rating: 91/100.
(Longyu Estate Selection 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wines of China, Ningxia, China, 750 mL, 14.5%)
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