Alsatian wines are often known for food friendliness, and they pair especially well with Chinese cuisine. Riesling is the most planted grape, and probably the most well known among the many grapes from the region. But there are others worth mentioning, for example, Gewürztraminer. Even the casual drinker who can ... Read More
Size does matter, but bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. Of course, I am referring to wine glasses. From my experience, glasses often enhance my drinking experience. They can make a so-so wine taste decent, and convert a good wine into a great wine. In general, red wines are better ... Read More
California represents more than 80 percent of U.S. wine production, and Napa Valley is its best known wine region. But most of the wines I tried during my visit to Napa last month are not to be found in China. The fact that Napa wines have high demand locally ... Read More
Traditionally, it’s beer that goes best with sports, but that could change very soon. More and more athletes are getting into wine, including China’s own Yao Ming. The retired NBA superstar recently launched his own wine label, Yao Family Wines, and created the Yao Ming Napa Valley Cabernet ... Read More
Out of all the classic wines such as Champagne and Bordeaux, Sherry wines from Spain are probably the most underrated and, therefore, underpriced. Sherry has many different styles, ranging from dry to sweet, from fresh to deliberately oxidized (similar to the technique used in making Chinese huangjiu). Accordingly, Sherry is ... Read More
Chinese New Year is around the corner, and I’ve got a few “good fortune” wines to share. Rumor has it that the fabled dragons depicted in books and paintings in ancient China were in fact lizards. So let’s celebrate the Year of the Dragon with D’arenberg The ... Read More
During my university days in Toronto, one of the many weekend getaway options would be visiting Niagara Falls. The waterfall itself was beautiful for sure, but there’s more—this is also where the Niagara Peninsula wine region is situated, in which rare, delicious and expensive ice wines are produced ... Read More
You better watch out—not because Santa is coming to town but for the flying corks. As Christmas and New Year’s fast approach, there’s no beverage more appropriate than Champagne, the ultimate celebratory drink. Champagnes are divided between NV (non-vintage) and vintage, meaning the wine is made from ... Read More
Who knew that Israel is “the cradle of the world’s wine industry” according to the Oxford Companion to Wine? I have no objection to that claim—wine culture existed long before Christ was born. But despite its long history of wine making, Israel’s name has been out of ... Read More
It’s nice to get recommendations for good wines to drink on special occasions, but most wine enthusiasts don’t have the budgets to sip expensive Burgundies on the odd weeknight. That’s what’s great about the annual Grape Wall Wine Challenge, which brings together local media and wine ... Read More
Despite Spain’s recent economic troubles, it has still managed to regularly showcase top names in different fields on the international scene, from Nadal to jamon Iberico to Zara. Wines are no exception. Spain is historically known for its red wines, but whites have been enjoying a renaissance recently, and ... Read More
The image of Chinese wine as little more than an alternative to baijiu best for ganbei-ing at business dinners has long been embedded into most consumers’ minds. But here’s an encouraging piece of news: Helan Qing Xue, Jia Bei Lan (贺兰晴雪-加贝兰) 2009, a mostly Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Ningxia ... Read More
Margaret River is an exceptionally beautiful premium wine-producing region in Australia. It’s recently caught the eye of Chinese investors, who have purchased majority stakes of a few local leading properties. Its Mediterranean climate ensures mild summers and not-too-harsh winters, which in turn provide an ideal environment for vine growing ... Read More
If you’re not going home for October holiday, do what we do: spend it on the sofa with a glass of wine, a plate of cheese and plenty of wine-related DVDs. The movie Bottle Shock (2008) takes place at a 1976 wine competition, when Californian wine beat out French ... Read More
Almost two years ago at the 2010 Tri Nations Rugby Wine Tasting, I tried a wine described as having passion fruit flavors. At that time, I thought that most of the things wine was described as tasting like (stones, tobacco etc.) were ridiculous. But this wine, a Goldridge Sauvignon Blanc ... Read More
Chateau Haut-Brion in Bordeaux is one of the most famous wineries in the world. It was one of American President Thomas Jefferson’s favorites, and it’s also one of my personal favorites. I’m lucky to have been able to visit it and taste wines there five times in ... Read More
Imagine sitting by yourself in a room, picking out the best wines from a lot of almost 400, one by one, for three consecutive days. That’s just what a group of wine experts from around the world, including the esteemed Steven Spurrier and Lynn Sherriff M.W., did at ... Read More
China is predominantly a “red” country, but white wines are gradually gaining popularity. Only a few years ago, it was either Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc on the majority of restaurants’ wine list and the racks of wine shops. Eventually, other wines started to crop up, such as Riesling, Pinot Gris ... Read More
Drinking wine should be enjoyable, but it can all too easily become an intimidating and awkward experience for those who are new to the beverage or put off by the often esoteric descriptions of tannins and fruits and oakiness. But there are many opportunities in Beijing to hone your knowledge ... Read More
Tired of Tsingtao and Yangjing? But don’t feel like springing 25rmb for a good beer? This is a common dilemma for Beijing Beer lovers, that of being stuck between beer that doesn’t quite cut it for flavor and an empty wallet. Luckily southern China, specifically Guangdong, has come ... Read More
The words Syrah and Shiraz describe one grape, but allude to a world of difference. Syrah’s natural home is the northern part of France’s Rhône Valley, where wines include the rustic Cornas, the more feminine St. Joseph, and of course the ineffable pair of Côte Rôtie and Hermitage ... Read More
This week, CW is glugging back a little plonk as we enlist a famed Beijing grape enthusiast for an insight into the city's best wine deals. Prepare for a week of hints, tips and deals from true connoisseur Jim Boyce, creator of BeijingBoyce.com and GrapeWallofChina.com.
Please drink ... Read More
This week, CW is glugging back a little plonk as we enlist a famed Beijing grape enthusiast for an insight into the city's best wine deals. Prepare for a week of hints, tips and deals from true connoisseur Jim Boyce, creator of BeijingBoyce.com and GrapeWallofChina.com.
Please drink ... Read More
This week, CW is glugging back a little plonk as we enlist a famed Beijing grape enthusiast for an insight into the city's best wine deals. Prepare for a week of hints, tips and deals from true connoisseur Jim Boyce, creator of BeijingBoyce.com and GrapeWallofChina.com.
Please drink ... Read More
With summer temperatures already baking Beijing, red wine sales slow down as most wine lovers adjust their palates to light and crisp whites.
Among the four biggest white wine varieties, Riesling is the most interesting. With relatively low alcohol levels and lively acidity, it’s a perfect wine to enjoy ... Read More
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Middle 8th: The New Sanlitun Village Location Has Creative Zest
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I tried the new Middle 8 location last night. We tried to make a reservation... >>