Ningxia Winemakers’ Challenge: Flushed with Success

From Wine to an Industrial Chain

NWC is one of many Ningxia wine initiatives over the past half-dozen years that has attracted considerable attention. The region – which has also hosted wine trade shows, festivals, and conferences – joined the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) as an observer, invested in enotourism infrastructure, organized tastings in China, and launched projects to raise standards in viticulture, providing quality vines and promoting equipment sharing through small operations.

In the bigger picture, wine is also a product that has value, with the potential to raise the region’s standard of living, particularly if plans to boost tourism come to fruition. Moreover, many new vineyards are planted on reclaimed land and help deter desertification.

These efforts come at a time of change in the wine sector. A government crackdown on entertainment spending by officials four years ago cut deeply into the market. While sales have rebounded, imports have grabbed the market share from local brands as increasingly savvy consumers shift their focus to taste and value, as opposed to status. With its growing wine reputation at home and abroad, Ningxia aims at positioning itself as a quality local producer in this maturing market. The region has already won over 150 medals, received praise from top critics, and been featured in many fine restaurants.

When 10 NWC judges gathered at the Sofitel Beijing on August 29 and spent the afternoon tasting a selection of reds, it was time to celebrate Ningxia and its achievements.

Ma Huiqin, a professor at China Agricultural University and wine marketing expert, chaired the event assisted by Andrew Caillard, Master of Wine and associate producer of China wine documentary Red Obsession.

“For the remaining 15 wines, it’s a bit of a knockout contest,” said Caillard pointing at the remaining bottles in numbered covers. Half an hour later, only five wines stayed in the game for the ultimate prize. “There’s a clear winner for the top gold,” he then announced.

At the award ceremony later that evening, the panel awarded gold medals to Australian Tony Kalleske (Kalleske Wines) who paired with Ningxia winery Legacy Peak, American Brent Trela (Alert Aesthetics) who paired with Miqin, and to winemaking consultants Slavina Stefanova from Sweden and Sarah Williams from the U.K., who paired with Yunmo and Hezun respectively.

Justin Corrans, CEO at Mountain Ridge, who also worked at Separator and wine producer The Bergkelder, was paired with Lanxuan and emerged as the judges’ overall pick.

“Ningxia is not Bordeaux, Ningxia is not Napa Valley, Ningxia is Ningxia,” said Boyce to the audience to conclude this event, sending out loud and clear a message that Ningxia wine is now in a class by itself.

Jacques Fourrier is a journalist and commentator based in Beijing.