A Journey Through China's Ningxia Wine Frontier
As part of our oenology program during the 32nd Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Yinchuan Red & White edition, we embarked on an extraordinary journey of regional wine discovery in Ningxia, China. This immersive experience unveiled a treasure trove of artistic wonders, historical marvels, and breathtaking natural beauty, all beautifully intertwined with the region's burgeoning wine industry.
Chateau Dulaan: Where Wine Meets immersive Luxury
Chateau Dulaan truly embodies the modern spirit of Ningxia's wine scene. This isn't just a winery; it's a meticulously designed wine-themed complex that seamlessly integrates grape cultivation, winemaking, culture, arts, and tourism. Imagine a high-end vacation experience where the stunning natural views of the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains blend perfectly with the elegant chateau setting. It's clear that Chateau Dulaan is laser-focused on crafting quality wines that genuinely express the unique terroir of this remarkable region. Our evening at Chateau Dulaan began in quintessentially Chinese style: with a Lazy Susan!
The Art of the Lazy Susan Meal
For those unfamiliar, a Lazy Susan is a rotating centerpiece for communal dining, and it's incredibly practical and culturally significant in Chinese meals. It allows everyone at a large round table to effortlessly access all the shared dishes, creating a dynamic and interactive dining experience. This communal style presents a fun challenge for wine pairing, as it involves a delightful variety of flavors and textures—often a mix of fried items, savory meats, and sweet or tangy sauces. The secret to a successful wine pairing here lies in selecting versatile wines that can handle diverse flavor profiles while offering a refreshing counterpoint to the richness.
Here's a glimpse at our delectable menu:
Cold Dishes: Braised Beef Shank, Helan Bean Sprouts Salad with Mustard Sauce, Boiled Shrimp with Sweet and Sour Sauce, Goose Liver with Pancake, Ningxia Style Boiled Chicken with Pepper Sauce, Sand Onion with Black Bean.
Main Course: Steamed Scallop with Black Bean and Glass Noodles, Spring Water Boiled Lamb Chops, Braised Bean Curd with Mushroom, Wons/Shrimp Soup with Hair Weed, Shine Win Chinese Broccoli and Lilly, Sofias Nigio Cabbage.
Chateau Dulaan's Wine Pairings
Chateau Dulaan Chardonnay 2023: Bright and refreshing, this Chardonnay offers vibrant tropical fruit notes (pineapple, mango) and zesty citrus (lemon-lime), underscored by subtle oak and distinct minerality. It's medium-bodied with crisp acidity, leading to a clean, long finish with lingering fruit. A perfect palate cleanser amidst rich flavors!
Chateau Dulaan Marselan 2022: Intensely colored, this Marselan bursts with a rich bouquet of dark berries (blackberry, black cherry), violet florals, and a unique savory/spicy character (black pepper, subtle earthiness). It's full-bodied with ripe, firm tannins and a concentrated fruit core, finishing long and complex, capable of standing up to bold flavors.
Chateau Dulaan Dry Red 2022 : Deep and powerful, it expresses classic blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, with intriguing hints of green bell pepper, cedar, and dark chocolate. It's full-bodied with robust, integrated tannins and a persistent dark fruit finish.
The evening's festivities continued on their beautiful outdoor terrace and lounge area, offering stunning views of the sunset over the Helan Mountains. We were then treated to a magnificent fireworks display over digestifs, a truly spectacular end to a perfect evening.
Helan Qingxue Vineyard: A Global Game-Changer
If there's one winery that truly put China on the global fine wine map, it's Helan Qingxue Vineyard in Ningxia. This estate isn't just a winery; it's a powerful symbol of quality and a testament to the immense potential of Chinese terroir.
Founded in 2005, the very name "Helan Qingxue" is poetic, translating to "clear sky and snow on Helan Mountain," referencing the breathtaking sight of the snow-capped Helan Mountains under a clear sky. The vineyard is strategically located at the eastern foot of the Helan Mountains, benefiting from a unique and challenging terroir characterized by high altitude, extreme diurnal shifts (day-to-night temperature swings), gravelly soils, and arid environments—all perfect conditions for exceptional grape growing.
We were privileged to enjoy an in-depth tour and tasting with their head winemaker, Zhang Jing. Starting her journey in wine in her late 20s, she's one of the few female winemakers in the region and has continuously honed her craft with international experience, bringing a global perspective to Ningxia's wines.
Here's a glimpse into the extraordinary "Jia Bei Lan" series that has captivated palates worldwide:
Jia Bei Lan Reserve Chardonnay 2020: This Chardonnay is a delightful surprise, showcasing the elegance Ningxia can achieve with white wines. Expect rich aromas of baked lemons and ripe apricots, beautifully framed by subtle hints of vanilla. On the palate, it's rich yet harmonious, offering a concentrated experience that remains beautifully balanced.
Jia Bei Lan Baby Feet Marselan 2019: Get ready for a captivating expression of Marselan! This "Baby Feet" bottling from 2019 offers a complex nose with intriguing spices and herbs, along with lovely floral and fresh fruit notes. The palate is characterized by soft, rounded, and silky tannins, with all elements in perfect harmony, leading to a truly mind-blowing and seamless finish. You might also find juicy plums, strawberries, and fresh cranberry flavors.
Jia Bei Lan Estate Red 2019: a Merlot dominant wine presents an ambitious oak profile on the nose, complementing notes of cranberries and sour cherries, with intriguing earthy nuances. It's a lively and fresh wine that showcases the vibrant fruit character of the vintage, balanced by a refined structure.
Jia Bei Lan Reserve Red 2019: a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Blanc, reveals complex aromas of cedar, cocoa, and fresh blackcurrant, with subtle herbaceous undertones and distinct new oak spice. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and balanced acidity, it offers a rich core of dark fruit and a smooth texture.
Jia Bei Lan Grand Reserve 2016: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of profound complexity. On the nose, anticipate brooding spicy red fruit, hints of tobacco leaf, licorice, and cassis. The tannins are present and finely structured, leading to a deep, savory profile with notes of cocoa powder and preserved plums. This wine is built to age, offering a truly sophisticated and evolving experience.
Xixia King Winery: A Royal Legacy (Chateau Zhongshu Yuquan)
Journey to the heart of Ningxia, and you'll find the majestic Xixia King Winery, a true titan of Chinese winemaking since its establishment in 1982. Nestled within the famed Helan Mountain East region, this isn't just any winery—it's one of Ningxia's oldest, proudly owned by the regional government. Their mission? To craft an exquisite range of wines primarily for the Chinese market, all while cementing their position in the highly coveted premium segment.
Xixia King boasts an astonishing 16,500 acres of cultivated land, making up roughly one-third of Ningxia's entire vineyard landscape. Chateau Zhongshu Yuquan is a key part of the Xixia King Winery, focusing predominantly on Bordeaux varietals, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which thrive in the region's unique terroir. Don't miss the fantastic museum, which takes you on a fascinating journey through the history of wine, both globally and right there in Ningxia.
The winery's name itself, Xixia King, pays homage to an ancient warrior king of the Xia Dynasty, whose powerful symbol proudly graces every bottle. This historical connection isn't just a detail; it's part of the winery's allure, intertwining with the region's ancient tombs, which are a significant tourist draw.
Here's a taste of their offerings:
Ningxia Xixia King Cabernet Sauvignon 2020: Classic notes of blackcurrant and blackberry, sometimes hints of green bell pepper (a regional characteristic), and subtle cedar or tobacco if oaked. These wines are known for their power and structure, reflecting the robust character of
Ningxia's reds.
Ningxia Xixia King Chardonnay 2023: Ripe tropical fruit notes, citrus, and a refreshing minerality, with some examples seeing oak aging for added complexity and a richer texture.
Helan Red Winery: Culture & Community
Imagine an evening where every sip of wine is perfectly complemented by a mesmerizing spectacle! That's exactly what we experienced at Helan Red Winery in Minning Town, Yongning County. This isn't just a winery; it's a vibrant hub where wine production beautifully intertwines with cultural tourism, offering visitors a truly unforgettable and immersive experience.
Helan Red's commitment means you can expect more than just a tasting. Picture yourself on enlightening vineyard tours, indulging in in-depth wine tastings, and even diving into the fascinating story of Minning Town itself—a testament to incredible collaborative development and revitalization.
During our expertly paired food and wine dinner, the festivities soared with lively entertainment! We were utterly captivated by fire-eating performers, spellbound by the lightning-fast mask changes of Bian Lian artists, thrilled by gravity-defying acrobats, and enchanted by the grace of artistic dancers. It was an evening that truly delighted all the senses, proving that Helan Red Winery offers an experience far beyond the glass.
Here's a look at the incredible menu we enjoyed, showcasing a blend of local delicacies and expertly prepared dishes:
Starters: Chinese Yam with Wolfberry, Sausage, Helan White Shrimp, Jade Bean Noodle, Stewed Chicken in Helan Spring Water, Seasonal Vegetable Salad with Red Bottled Fish and Passion Fruit
Bakery: Whole-Wheat Toast, Vanilla Baguette, Cumin Fried Rice, Multicolored Hand-Made Noodles
Main Courses: Braised Beef & Red Wine with Pear, Grapevine Roasted Ningxia Mudflat Lamb with Xiji Potatoes, Ningxia Roasted Whole Lamb, Blanched Flowering Cabbage and Homemade Yogurt with Seasonal Fresh Fruit for dessert.
Here are some wine highlights:
Helanhong Italian Riesling Dry White Wine 2022: Prepare for a burst of sunshine! A vibrant freshness of zesty lemon and grapefruit mingling with crisp green apple, and perhaps a whisper of delicate florals. It's wonderfully dry with a lively acidity that leaves your palate feeling clean and invigorated—a true testament to Ningxia's cool climate and mineral-rich soils.
Helan Mountain Classic Dry White 2021: 100% Chardonnay, pour a glass and you'll likely find a pale lemon-yellow hue, inviting you in with refreshing aromas of mandarin, grapefruit, and crisp green apple. On the palate, it's wonderfully vibrant and steely, delivering an elegant finish that perfectly captures the purity of the fruit and the essence of the Ningxia terroir.
Lilan Winery Lancui Grand Cru Dry Red Wine 2017: A masterful blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, vivid, fresh nose brimming with cassis, dark cherries, and elegant nuances of fine oak spice, perhaps even a hint of green bell pepper. The palate is wonderfully savory and coats your mouth with a firm structure, suggesting a wine with fantastic aging potential that still drinks beautifully right now.
Holansoul Winery Collection Organic Syrah Dry Red Wine 2014: a concentrated and bold character of rich black fruit aromas like blackberry, beautifully interwoven with notes of tobacco and intriguing exotic spices, possibly even some earthy or leathery whispers from its age. It's a full-bodied experience on the palate, with robust tannins and a long, perhaps savory, finish that lingers.
Our journey through Ningxia's wine country was nothing short of exceptional, offering a profound insight into a region where ancient traditions gracefully intertwine with a vibrant, modern wine industry. From the immersive luxury of Chateau Dulaan to the global prestige of Helan Qingxue, the historical grandeur of Xixia King, and the cultural richness of Helan Red, each visit unveiled a new facet of Ningxia's remarkable viticultural landscape. We extend our sincerest gratitude to the CMB organizers for curating such an extraordinary and unforgettable Yinchuan Red & White edition. This meticulously planned experience allowed us to delve deep into the heart of Chinese oenology, discovering not just world-class wines but also the captivating stories, breathtaking scenery, and warm hospitality that make Ningxia truly unique. Thank you for an unparalleled opportunity to explore, learn, and celebrate the burgeoning wine scene of this incredible region.
