Build a Bordeaux in China

Speaking of the world's premier wine-producing regions, many would mention Bordeaux in France or Napa Valley in California.

But few know that a Chinese city, Wuwei, is determined to make itself a home for Chinese wine lovers and connoisseurs.

Let's follow Wu You to investigate this story.

In a remote suburb of Wuwei, a city located in northwest China's Gansu Province, Wang Runping is directing construction workers to put the finishing touches on a blue-grey European-style building.

Judging from the appearance, the purpose of this mansion may be confusing. But working as the vice president of a local winery, Wang explains that the building will be used as a wine museum for exhibition and wine tasting, as a project of crafting a "wine city".

"Our wine city is built on demand of Wuwei government, which is to vigorously develop the local wine industry."

With chateaus, vineyards, a manufacturing plant and tourist center, Wang says the wine city will be an industrial complex.

"A so-called 'wine city' should cover many domains, such as entertainment, production and trade, tourism, and plantation. These industries constitute a city. If we only make wine, our company is merely a winery. But you see, we get forum and museum, which would help to structure a city."

Wang's company is not the only one that built wine-related estates or bases in the town. Rolling along the roads, you could find green vineyards blanketing the land while western-style chateaus scattered the outskirts, which could foster an illusion of traveling in another country.

Gao Zhaoming is the vice president of a Shandong-based winery. According to him, although the company is thousands of miles away from Gansu Province, the management still chose Wuwei as its major manufacturing base, due to the city's natural conditions.

"In terms of geographic location, Wuwei is situated between 37 to 38 degrees north latitude, which is a prime location for wine making. It shares the same latitude with Bordeaux in France and its natural condition is even better than Bordeaux. Due to the desert climate here, without much rain, grape vines don't get diseases and need no pesticides. "

In the eyes of Zhang Aijiang, deputy major of the city, the wine industry in Wuwei is not only famed for its geographic and climatic advantages, but also the rich history.

"The history of wine making in Wuwei could be traced back to two thousand years ago, when the great explorer and pioneer of the Silk Road Zhang Qian visited the West and brought back grape seeds. Wine hadn't been introduced to the hinterland of China, until the successful plantation of grape and wine production in Wuwei. "

Poets and nobles once wrote an abundance of verses to praise the mellow taste of Wuwei wine, but since wine was not a traditionally favored drink for Chinese people, the industry had experienced its booms and slumps. Until coming to the late 20th century, with economic growth empowering the business and rising middle classes' growing interest in wine, the industry has been rejuvenated. From the early 1980s, many world-renowned varieties have been introduced to Wuwei and grapes have been grown on a massive scale to quench people's thirst for wine.

"In terms of the wine grape acreage, last year we have already planted around 17 thousand hectares of grape, which accounts for 80% of the grape growing area in the province and 10% of the entire country. At the same time, our municipal committee and government take this wine-making business very seriously and develop it as the leading industry. "

As the market expands, from domestic companies such as Mogao and Grand Dragon to California-based Yosemite, wineries worldwide have taken roots in this city. In order to satisfy their growing demand for more talents, a local wine school was even opened.

As the deputy dean of the school, Zhao Xiangzhong says the establishment of the school is a joint project of local government and winery to train diverse professionals for the industry.

"Currently we set five majors at the school, including grape and wine engineering, wine manufacturing and marketing, oenology and testing, viticulture and fermentation studies. You can find our graduates in wine companies all over the country."

Now, from Pinot noir to Cabernet Sauvignon, wine enthusiasts who visit Wuwei could get intoxicated with diverse varieties of wines.

Here is Hong Kong resident Tan Jiaying.

"I drank some wine in Europe before. I think the local wines are softer and they could help you smooth your throat much easier. Maybe because I don't like wines with strong flavor, I believe wines made in Wuwei are better option for us. "

Lofei Mekedem comes from Algeria, a country with a long history of winemaking. He believes that Chinese wine could rival its European counterparts.

"Honestly, I really like Wuwei wine. Especially when I got a taste of Mogao Chardonnay today, I think it's very delicious. It makes me feel like drinking wines from Bordeaux or other top wine-producing regions. It is the best white wine I have ever had."

In 2012, Wuwei was named as the wine capital of China by China National Food Industry Association. From 2014, the city will hold an annual wine festival aiming to attract more investors and wine lovers.

http://www.ecns.cn/business/2014/08-22/131067.shtml