Yunnan wine is produced in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan.
Yunnan wine is produced in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan. The province shares a border with Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar and is not far from the Tibetan plateau. This geographical location helps to explain one of the most interesting facts about Yunnan and that is that it has a remarkable ethnic diversity for such a small place.
The Yunnan region is home to 25 different officially recognized nationalities, some of whom are amongst China’s smallest groups, numbering merely in the thousands (the Wa Nationality for example) but also includes some very large groups like the Bai who number well over 1 million.
Main production areas are around the city of Kunming and the cities of Honghe and Yuxi.
The largest province in China, Yunnan is also one of the most diverse, with over half of China’s plant and animal species. It is home to 25 different ethnic groups, has a rich cultural heritage, and is famous for its cuisine. The diversity of its landscape equals the diversity of its people; Kunming, the capital city and gateway to Yunnan, lies at 1,860 m above sea level and subtropical Yuanyang rice terraces are carved into mountainsides at 1,200 meters.
The main production areas are around the city of Kunming (the provincial capital) and the cities of Honghe and Yuxi. There are more than 50 wineries in these areas with vineyards covering more than 62 square kilometers (15,400 acres). Vineyard area continues to expand rapidly as new wineries and vineyards are established every year.
The first vineyards were planted during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), but it wasn’t until 1997, when Chateau Changyu Moser XV was established that a wine region was formally established and recognised.
The first vineyards were planted during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), but it wasn’t until 1997, when Chateau Changyu Moser XV was established that a wine region was formally established and recognised. Today, China has over 724,000 acres under vine, with provinces such as Ningxia producing award-winning wines.
Grapes are predominantly grown on small lots at high altitudes, with much of the land being used for subsistence farming.
The grapes are predominantly grown on small lots at high altitudes, with much of the land being used for subsistence farming. Subsistence farming is when a farmer farms just enough to feed their family and themselves, rather than growing crops to sell at market.
Common varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Tempranillo.
The climate in Yunnan is varied, as the mountainous landscape causes there to be a large variety of climates within the region. Cool climate varieties grow in the high-altitude areas of Yunnan and include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo and Syrah. Meanwhile, moderate-climate varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir flourish around the cities of Dali, Kunming and Lincang. In the lower-lying areas of Yunnan near Laos and Vietnam you will find warm-climate varieties like Cabernet Gernischt (used to make a local wine similar to Port), Traminer and Zweigelt.
There’s a market for both red wines (which are made using grapes such as Nebbiolo) and white wines (which are commonly made using Riesling grapes). However, both types often have trouble finding their way onto international markets because most producers make them for their own consumption or sell it within China. There has been some success in selling sparkling wine from Yunnan province, though; Chandon does produce one bottle of sparkling wine from this area that sells locally.
Red wines dominate production.
In Yunnan, you’re most likely to find a red wine in your glass. They dominate the production landscape and make up 85% of wines grown in the region. That’s not to say white wines are scarce, though – they have steadily been growing in prominence since 2000. In fact, white wine production has increased by 300% since 2008.
Red grape varieties lead the pack as well: Merlot is the most commonly grown red grape variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The styles of wine vary greatly too; typically, lighter-bodied reds are produced that lack some of their European counterparts’ complexities and tannic structure (which takes years to develop). These more fruit-forward wines can be enjoyed sooner than their French or Spanish relations – making them ideal for those who want to try something new but may not be ready to invest in a bottle that costs hundreds of dollars. Red wines were introduced relatively recently in China during the late 19th century post-World War II period; many producers use fermentation methods similar to those used when making whisky or beer instead of following traditional winemaking practices like barrel aging.
Relatively warm temperatures allow for early harvesting with long daylight hours allowing for extended hang time on the vine.
The climate here is similar to Bordeaux, France. Because the province borders several other countries (Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Tibet), it does not experience monsoon rains in the summer like the region of eastern China.
If you are unfamiliar with wine from this area of China, you should know that these wines are grown at altitudes ranging from 1,000-2,000 meters above sea level. The province includes cooler regions such as Diqing and Chuxiong as well as warmer areas around Dali and Lijiang. These temperature differences allow for early harvesting and extended hang time on the vine during long daylight hours.
The main appellations are Honghe, Simao and Lincang.
Honghe county contains the largest plantings in China and is best for growing grapes for sparkling wines, with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling the most important planting varieties.
Simao (or Xishuangbanna) county is considered to be the best red wine region with a Mediterranean climate, which is particularly good for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Lincang county has a cooler climate than other parts of Yunnan which makes it perfect for aromatic whites such as Riesling or Gewürztraminer.
Some wines from this region have received awards at international competitions in recent years. These include Luzhou Laiwu’s ‘2015 Kunming Jinkang No 1’ which won an award at the ‘2016 Decanter Asia Wine Awards’.
Some wines from this region have received awards at international competitions in recent years. These include Luzhou Laiwu’s ‘2015 Kunming Jinkang No 1’ which won an award at the ‘2016 Decanter Asia Wine Awards’. The Altos Las Hormigas Malbec from Argentina has also won China’s ‘First Double Gold Award’.
More recently, grapes grown in the Shangri-La area of Yunnan were used to make a wine that was served by top Chinese chef Peng Chang-kuei to President Xi Jinping during his state visit to the US in 2015.
The Altos Las Hormigas Malbec from Argentina has also won China’s ‘First Double Gold Award’. This is a high achievement considering that only ten percent of all entries achieved a gold medal at the competition.
If you’re curious to try a malbec produced in Argentina and sold in China, the Altos Las Hormigas Malbec has also won China’s ‘First Double Gold Award’. This is a high achievement considering that only ten percent of all entries achieved a gold medal at the competition.
Wines produced in Yunnan are becoming more well known within China and internationally
Another reason that Yunnan wine is experiencing an increase in popularity is the fact that its wines have won multiple awards at various international competitions. The Yunnan Wine Awards, for example, has been held for several years and has established itself as a reputable event during which both local and foreign wine experts praise the unique flavors and aromas of Yunnan wines.
Recently, the quality of Yunnan wines has continued to improve as well, which has helped to make these wines more appealing to Chinese consumers. The number of vineyards in the region has also increased over recent years, which means that there are more opportunities for people from around China—and outside of China—to taste what makes this region’s wine so special.