Shaoxing wine

Shaoxing wine (Shaohing, Shaoshing) is one of the most famous varieties of huangjiu, or traditional Chinese wines, fermented from rice. It originates from the region of Shaoxing, in the Zhejiang province of eastern China. It is widely used as both a beverage and a cooking wine in Chinese cuisine. It is internationally well known and renowned throughout mainland China, as well as in Taiwan and Southeast Asia.[1]

Shaoxing wine
A smaller scaled version of the classic Shaoxing wine container
Simplified Chinese绍兴酒
Traditional Chinese紹興酒

Production

Shaoxing wine has been in production since dynastic times. Large quantities are made and stored in the classic Shaoxing wine container over long periods of time.[1] It is also bottled for domestic consumption and for shipping internationally. Aged wines are referred to by year of brewing, similar to grape vintage year (chénnián, 陳年).

Classification
Classification[2]
Name
(in Chinese)		Literal translationSugar content
(g/L)		Type% Ethanol
yuanhongjiu
元红酒		Premier red wine< 5Dry wine> 14.5
jiafanjiu 加饭酒
huadiaojiu 花雕酒		Wine with added rice
Wine in jar, engraved with flowers		5–30Semi-dry wine> 16.0
shanniangjiu 善酿酒Well-fermented wine30–100Sweet wine (moelleux)> 15.0
xiangxuejiu 香雪酒
fenggangjiu 封缸酒		Snow-flavored wine
Jug wine		200Sweet wine (doux)> 13.0

Usage
A glass of Shaoxing wine

Shaoxing wine can be drunk as a beverage and is considered to take the place of rice at the beginning of a meal. When at home, some families will drink their wine out of rice bowls, which is also the serving style at Xian Heng Inn. If not served at a meal, Shaoxing wine can also accompany peanuts or other common snacks.

Huang jiu 黄酒 (Pinyin: huáng jiǔ), as it is known locally, is also well known for its use in meat dishes, in addition to being an ingredient in many dishes of Chinese cuisine. It is a key ingredient of Mao Zedong's favourite dish of braised pork belly with scallion greens – what he called his "brain food" that helped him defeat his enemies.[3] The following is a sample list of other common Shaoxing wine-marinated dishes. It is not limited to the following:[1]

Producers

One prominent producer of Shaoxing wine is Zhejiang Gu Yue Long Shan Shaoxing Wine Co., Ltd. (古越龍山) of Shaoxing, Zhejiang.[4] Other popular brands include: Di ju tang 帝聚堂, Kuai ji Shan 会稽山 (named after a local mountain), and Tu Shao Jiu 土绍酒.

References
  1. TVB show Natural Heritage 天賜良源 episode 1 January 30, 2008. Shaoxing wine exclusive
  2. Lee, Yuan-Kun (2006). Microbial Biotechnology: Principles and Applications (2nd revised ed.). World Scientific. ISBN 9812566767.
  3. Malcolm Moore (29 January 2010). "China sets standard for Chairman Mao's favourite dish". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  4. Shaoxingwine.com
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