Food

Ningxia Winemakers Aim to Be More than ‘Bordeaux of China’

South China Morning Post (SCMP)
South China Morning Post (SCMP)•Mar 29, 2026

Why It Matters

Ningxia’s emergence reshapes the premium wine landscape, offering investors a novel source of quality grapes and giving consumers a credible alternative to traditional Old‑World labels.

Key Takeaways

  • •Ningxia dubbed “Bordeaux of China” due to similar latitude.
  • •Local winemaker Jang Yanju promotes native Cabernet Gan varietal internationally.
  • •Blind tastings help overcome bias against Chinese wine abroad.
  • •Export market dominated by Hong Kong and North Korea, 70% share.
  • •Chinese wineries aim for unique terroir identity, not European imitation.

Summary

The video profiles Ningxia, an autonomous region in north‑western China that has earned the nickname “Bordeaux of China” because its latitude and climate mirror those of France’s famed wine belt. After decades of experimentation, the area is now positioning itself as a source of distinctive, world‑class wines rather than a mere copy of Old‑World styles.

Winemaker Jang Yanju, a Bordeaux‑trained vintner, founded Shika Estate in 2017 and champions the indigenous Cabernet Gan (also called Cabernet Lung) as Ningxia’s signature grape. He explains the region’s ability to grow classic varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay—despite harsh winters, and highlights practices such as burying vines to survive frost. Blind tastings abroad have revealed that judges often cannot identify the wine’s Chinese origin, underscoring its quality.

The narrative includes anecdotes like French President Emmanuel Macron requesting bottles of Jang’s single‑vine Cabernet Gan at a state dinner, and Chinese‑born wine promoter Crystal Shen describing the “fruity, velvety” profile that stems from the Helan Mountains’ dry, sunny terroir. Export data show China ranked 15th globally in 2024, with Hong Kong and North Korea absorbing roughly 70 % of its shipments, while entrepreneurs are now targeting New York and other mature markets.

These developments signal a shift in the global wine hierarchy: Chinese producers are moving from novelty to credibility, leveraging unique terroir and strategic marketing to break into premium segments. For investors and distributors, Ningxia offers a new frontier of high‑quality, story‑rich wines that could diversify portfolios and meet growing consumer curiosity for non‑traditional origins.

Original Description

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for free here: https://sc.mp/subscribe-youtube
Winemakers in China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region are trying to outgrow their product’s nickname “Bordeaux of China”. Today, winemakers are carving out a distinct identity by claiming cabernet gernischt as a uniquely Chinese flagship grape variety. In this episode of Eat Drink Asia, SCMP reporter Lisa Cam heads to the heart of Ningxia to visit one of its fastest-growing wineries. We follow her journey from the vineyards to a blind tasting that pits local bottles against global expectations. Finally, we land in Hong Kong, the world’s premier hub for Chinese wine, to see how Ningxia wines pair with traditional flavours.
0:00 Intro
0:15 Old World and New World
0:42 Bordeaux of China
3:07 Cabernet loong
4:12 Tasting Ningxia wine
7:24 Export market
9:23 Chinese wine in the US
11:22 Chinese wine pairing
Follow us on:

Comments

Want to join the conversation?

Loading comments...