Janet Wang studied Computer Science at the University of Cambridge and spent a decade as an investment banker in London. Then she became an ambassador of Chinese wine.
The author of The Chinese Wine Renaissance, published by Penguin Random House, said:
“Marselan is being championed as a signature grape in China. I love Chinese Marselan paired with Wuxi style sweet and sour pork ribs!
“This type of sweet and sour comes from rock sugar and aged dark rice vinegar in the sauce. It has a lovely caramelised sweet coating, and the vinegar gives a malty, slightly smoky quality that keeps the sweetness in check. Marselan’s ripe plum and dark fruit notes echo the sauce’s fruitiness, and its subtle smoky, spicy undertones (often from oak) harmonise with the vinegar’s depth. In turn, the dish’s sweet‑sour balance lifts the wine’s fruit sweetness, making it a really satisfying pairing.
“A Cabernet Sauvignon x Grenache cross first developed for the Languedoc region in France. It was introduced to China in 2001 as part of the government-backed Sino-French Cooperation Demonstration Farm at Huailai, Hebei (now Domaine Franco-Chinois), producing its inaugural wine in 2003.
“The variety combines deep colour, good yields, heat tolerance, disease resistance and naturally soft, supple tannins, while its aromatic, fruit-forward style suits local palates. It pairs well with roast or barbecue pork, Peking duck, cumin-spiced lamb, grilled meats and rich braised dishes. Its ripe fruit complements sweet-savoury sauces, the acidity refreshes fatty foods, and its moderate tannin supports protein without overwhelming the aromatic spices.”
In 2011, the 2009 vintage of Jia Bei Lan, grown on cloned vines from Hebei province that were planted just nine years before, won a prestigious Decanter award.
China now boasts over 785,000 hectares of vineyards, the third largest in the world behind Spain and France. It produces roughly 350 million bottles of wine annually, ranking among the top 15 winemaking countries globally.
From Grace Vineyard’s Judy Chan, Kanaan’s “Crazy” Wang, Helan Qingxue’s Jing Zhang and Silver Heights’ Emma Gao, to Skyline of the Gobi’s Lizhong Chen and Emma Ding’s Jade Mountain, women are very much the drivers of winemaking across China.
Its most notable wine producing regions include Beijing, Yantai, Zhangjiakou in Hebei, Yibin in Sichuan, Tonghua in Jilin, Taiyuan in Shanxi and Ningxia. The largest producing region is Yantai-Penglai, with over 140 wineries producing 40% of China’s wine. Red wine accounts for 80% of production.
Wild China wine tours take in several regions and the country’s top vineyard hotels. Such as Penglai’ s Runaway Cow, Yantai’s Chateau Junding Wine Resort, the Xige Estate’s Jade Dove in Ningxia and Hilton and Small Luxury Hotels of The World Provencal-style “heritage boutique winery” Longting Hotel on the Shandong Fairytale Coast.
China is building a reputation for premium quality wines. At the recent Wynn Signature Chinese Wine awards in Macau, Petit Manseng sweet white wine was announced as the “Best Wine in China”.Top of FormBottom of Form
Wang, a key Chinese wine specialist at the Association of Wine Educators (AWE) who works closely with Buckinghamshire-based www.winesofchina.uk adds:
“All over the country, Chinese wine celebrates diverse terroir and impassioned winemaking.”
For those new to Chinese wine, she recommends six wines:
- Sparkling wine: Chateau Sun God Blanc de Blancs Vintage Sparkling Wine 2006, priced at £68.00.
- White wine: Kanaan Winery Riesling 2024, priced at £26.00.
- Marselan: Fei Tswei Cellared Marselan 2019, priced at £27.90.
- Red wine: Xige Estate Jade Dove Single Vineyard Cabernet Gernischt 2018, priced at £45.55.
- Red blend (classic Bordeaux style): Kanaan Winery ‘Pretty Pony’ Dry Red 2019, priced at £36.00.
- Ice wine: Changyu Pioneer Winery Golden Ice Wine Valley Ice Wine – Golden Diamond 2023, priced at £32.00.
Author Bio:
Kevin Pilley is a former professional cricketer and chief staff writer of PUNCH magazine. His humour, travel, food and drink work appear worldwide, and he has been published in over 800 titles.
Photographs courtesy of Longting Vineyard Estate and Janet Wang/Penguin Random House
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