The Chateau Lilan of Ningxia

Discovering the wine region of Ningxia

Ningxia is a significant wine-producing region in the central-North of China. The wide, heavily irrigated valley between the Yellow River and the base of Helan Mountain has proved to be one of China's most promising Vineyard areas. A range of wines are made here from Grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Gernischt and Chardonnay. While Ningxia covers 66,400 square kilometers (25,600 sq miles), most viticulture takes place in a 150km-long (100 mile) river valley in the very north of the region.

Here, the Yellow River provides sufficient water for irrigation and the arid landscape has been transformed into arable land well suited to the production of wine. A sub-region of Ningxia, Helan Mountain, is particularly well regarded and in 2003 became China's first official appellation, recognized by the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. A 2009 Helan Qing Xue Jia Bei Lan Cabernet blend surprised many in the international wine trade when it won a major trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2010. Ningxia has a thoroughly continental Climate, its eastern border lying some 950 kilometers (600 miles) from the nearest ocean.

The summers are hot, although the high altitude of the vineyards (some more than 1200m/4000ft above sea level) helps to create a suitable climate for wine-growing. At this altitude, intense sunlight during the day is followed by much cooler nights. This diurnal temperature shift – which is exacerbated by the lack of moisture in the air – helps to slow ripening in the grapes, leading to a Balance of phenols and Acidity. The Short growing season in Ningxia is followed by a long, cold winter, and vines must be protected from freezing temperatures with an insulating mound of dirt piled around the base of the plant.