Serious Eats: New York
Chinese Wine Coming to a Restaurant Near You?
In the "Year in Ideas" issue of the New York Times Magazine, Amy Cortese informs serious eaters that, according to a credible published report, within 50 years China will be the leading wine-producing country in the world.
Before I start riffing about moo shu red and General Tso's white wine, it's worth noting that this prediction is not so outlandish at all. Right now, in 2008, China is already the sixth-largest wine-producer in the world.
In fact, there is now a Grace Chairman's Reserve wine produced by a Shanxi winery Grace Vineyards, a Bordeaux-style blend, selling for $60 or more.
And the Chinese are serious about their wine endeavors. They're apparently bringing in wine experts from France, Italy, and the United States in their quest.
A cautionary note: Cortese acknowledges that most present-day Chinese wine is not regarded as drinkable to Western palates.