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Chinese Rice Wine from Shaoxing, China

Some historians believe that Chinese rice wine has been around for over 6000 years!  Chinese rice wine (a.k.a. “yellow wine”, “Huang Jiu” or “Shaoxing wine”) has played a major role in the history of China. It has had an impact on China’s religions, politics and economy.  It has influenced emperors, chairmen, comrades, peasants, and poets.

Shaoxing is a charming water town, in the northeastern section of the Zhejiang province of China, about 100 miles South of Shanghai.  A small(ish) city, as Chinese cities go, claiming a population of 4.3 million. Though the area has undergone a rampant redevelopment, it still retains an amiable and breezy image with it’s arched bridges, winding canals and antiquated residences.

Besides being the home of Shaoxing wine, it was also the birthplace of many influential and colorful figures over the centuries.  Cai Yuanpei, a famous educator was born in Shaoxing, as was late Premier Zhou Enlai, Lu You, the beloved warrior poet, Lu Xun, China’s first great modern novelist, and Yu the Great, the mythical “flood tamer”.

Gam Bei!