An Introduction to Chinese Wine Grape Varieties: Learn About Each Variety in One Article

Grapes are a world-famous fruit, generally eaten fresh or made into raisins, and can also be used to make wine. They are very sweet and delicious. There are many varieties on the market now, and demand is good too. Grapes are rich in nutrients such as fruit acids, vitamins, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Eating them can strengthen the spleen and stomach, and they are also very helpful for excessive fatigue. So what are the wine grape varieties in China? Let's take a look together!

1. Longyan grape

Longyan grape is a traditional white grape variety in China with a long history. The berries of Longyan grape are large, with thin and translucent skin. The dry white wine made from it has a style somewhat similar to Gewurztraminer, giving off a fresh and enticing fruity aroma, with a smooth mouthfeel and pleasant acidity. The first dry white wine in the modern sense in China was made from Longyan grapes. Longyan grapes are also widely planted in Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei and Shaanxi.

2. Marselan

This variety is a rising star in the development of Chinese wine. It originated in southern France and was obtained by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon with Grenache. Its clusters are large and the berries are small, with rich flavor and sufficient tannins. The wine made from it has a rich and unrestrained aroma, combining the ripe fruit flavors of Grenache and the mint notes of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is now widely planted in Gansu, Shanxi, Ningxia, Xinjiang and other places in China.

3. Pinot Noir

It is an ancient famous wine variety, mainly used to make champagne and rose wine. It is early ripening, thin-skinned and cold-resistant. Fermented without skins, it can produce excellent white wine and sparkling wine. The wines made from it vary richly in color and are suitable for long aging, but its yield is extremely low, making it a delicate grape variety. It is full of aroma and rich in fruit flavor, with wines that are full of variation and a very appealing taste.

4. Chardonnay

This variety is the most common green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is widely planted all over the world. In addition, Chardonnay is also the most important grape raw material for making sparkling wine (such as champagne). So this grape variety is well known to people.

5. Merlot

Merlot is a very important red grape variety, currently cultivated in many regions such as Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, Ningxia and Yunnan. Compared with varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot has more scattered clusters, larger berries and thinner skin. The wine made from it is full-bodied and smooth in texture, with red fruit and black fruit flavors.

At this point, the introduction to Chinese wine grape varieties ends here. If everyone wants to grow grapes to make wine, choosing the right variety is especially important. I hope this article is helpful to everyone.

For wonderful pictures and text and popular comments about Chinese wine grape varieties, you may be interested in the following recommendations from Nongxun Network. Welcome to read.

Recommended reading: An introduction to grape varieties with a very good taste

You may be interested in the following agricultural products: Nationwide grape supply