China

Country

China's grape wine industry is young by global standards, having expanded rapidly since the 1980s even though the country's drinking culture has traditionally centered on spirits like baijiu. Production is concentrated in a handful of regions with suitable climates, most notably Ningxia, and leans heavily toward red wine styles made from international grape varieties.

Sub-regions

Ningxia

Ningxia, at the eastern foot of the Helan Mountains in northern China, has become the country's leading fine-wine region since the 1980s, now producing roughly a quarter of China's total wine output despite being one of the nation's historically poorest areas. Its continental climate brings large swings between day and night temperatures, particularly in spring, which helps grapes build flavor even as the arid, cold winters force growers to bury their vines for protection.