Chinese winery Longting embraces ancient Daoist principles for modern wine production
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Get ready to be captivated by the legendary Song Yan, mastermind behind Longting Winery nestled in the picturesque town of Penglai, right at the tip of Shandong peninsula, China. A wine enthusiast at heart, she's transformed her passion into a family legacy, intend on bequeathing it to future generations, echoing the grandeur of famous French wineries like Burgundy and Bordeaux.
Song Yan's love for wine flourished during her Australian sojourn, yet it was on her return to the lush Shandong province that the dream of her very own winery was born. She embarked on a whirlwind tour of the globe, visiting France, Italy, and the US to immerse herself in winemaking techniques and gather inspiration for her dream winery.
Last month, Song Yan graced the London Wine Fair with her presence, conducting a masterclass to raise awareness about Chinese wines in the UK market.
Crafting a New Legacy
Perched on the same latitude as Sicily, Stellenbosch, and Mendoza, Longting Winery benefits from a unique microclimate created by mountains and sea breezes. The winery's approach to winemaking embraces the philosophies of Daoism, aiming for harmony between the heavens, earth, and mankind, while adhering to the western teachings of biodynamic viticulture.
Grapes are picked by hand, winemaking is kept minimal, and a biodiverse philosophy advocates against tilling: 'This is where ancient wisdom meets modern winemaking at Longting,' says Song Yan.
Longting Winery specializes in producing wines from various global varieties such as Petit Manseng and Marselan.
Choosing the Right Grapes
Guided by international viticultural experts and her local winemaker, Song Yan carefully selected four varieties that best suited the local terroir in Penglai – Petit Manseng, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Marselan.
Petit Manseng, a late-ripening grape variety with thick skin, traditionally used for sweet wines in southwest France, thrives in Penglai due to its dry autumns. Longting produces both late-harvest off-dry Petit Manseng, as well as a dry white, boasting aromas of lemon and honeysuckle and a strong acidic backbone.
Marselan, a crossing of Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon and one of four red grape varieties recently chosen to aid Bordeaux producers cope with climate change, flourishes in Penglai, displaying red and black fruits with signs of good aging potential.
Cabernet Franc is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon from Xinjiang, a new world region that allows interregional blending, as the variety thrives here.
To educate the UK about Chinese wine, Longting conducted a masterclass at the London Wine Fair, featuring five key wines.
Invading the UK Market
Song Yan's travels have now led her to the UK and the London Wine Fair, where she's been advocating for modern Chinese wine. She believes her wines align with contemporary consumer preferences for lighter, fresher wines. Longting's strategy, Song Yan explains, has always been to boost sales through food pairings at top-notch restaurants, and the UK will be no exception.
A perfect match for the Lu cuisine of the Shandong region, traditionally difficult to pair with wine, Song Yan maintains that her wines complement international cuisine exceptionally well. Proud to be a champion for Chinese wines, which have evolved considerably in a short span, she attributes the progress to a hardworking and passionate wine community and suggests that this is just the beginning, and that consumers should keep an eye out for Longting wines arriving at restaurants near them soon.
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Discover Longting Winery's Journey
Feeling curious? Explore more about Longting Winery's fascinating journey.
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- Song Yan, the entrepreneur behind Longting Winery in Penglai, China, intends to carry her passion for wine into future generations, emulating the stature of famous European wineries like Burgundy and Bordeaux.
- Longting Winery, positioned on the same latitude as Sicily, Stellenbosch, and Mendoza, boasts a unique microclimate created by mountains and sea breezes, allowing it to specialize in producing wines from various global varieties such as Petit Manseng and Marselan.
- Aiming for harmony between the heavens, earth, and mankind, Longting Winery embraces Daoist philosophies in its biodynamic viticulture while adhering to western winemaking techniques.
- To educate the UK about Chinese wines, Longting conducted a masterclass at the London Wine Fair, showcasing five key wines that align with contemporary consumer preferences for lighter, fresher wines.
- Longting affirms that its wines complement international cuisines exceptionally well, presenting a perfect match for the Lu cuisine of the Shandong region and aiming to boost sales through food pairings at top-tier restaurants in the UK.
