China's Great Wall Cabernet Sauvignon 1999: Is It Worthy of the Name? Jul 15 '05 (Updated Jul 16 '05)    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Wine Yago Sant'gria 750ml From $6 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2006 750ml From $10 The Bottom Line Give the new Chinese wines a chance, they are pretty good! I have visited The People's Republic of China a few times now, especially since I am working as an English teacher in next door Taiwan. I have noticed many times in the "duty free" zones of the airports of both Taipei and Hong Kong, many different wines that I am unfamilar with. One label intrigued me recently. It was "The Great Wall" label of a wine produced in China. Until then, I was unaware that China had any vinyards at all, much less the variety of wines that I encountered. From the time I was aware of this label until the time I actually tasted it was six months, and today, my birthday, was the happy day in which I sought to give my palette a swirl. I chose the 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon from the hotel restaurant menu. I chose it because it was a red, nicely aged, and it went well with the red meat that I had ordered for my lunch. I was not disappointed in its flavor and its disposition. Firstly, this Cabernet, when opened, had a nice aroma in the cork. Having stayed asleep for almost six years, it was time this rumplestilsken had a chance to breathe! Upon imbibing one sip and tasting it, it had a full body to it, and a fruity flavor to boot. The twelve percent alcohol content did not waste its time in giving my palette and my heart a light feeling, not to mention my head and sensibilities. This Chinese cabernet is not as full or as grand as those you will encounter from California, but it stood up pretty well to the sirloin beef tips that I was eating, and complimented them very well. The cost was very reasonable, being about the equivelent of $7.50 American per bottle, perhaps less, since I was dining in a hotel restaurant. It appears that "The Great Wall" label has a number of wines to its credit, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a Merlot. Maybe in the future I will try some more. As for now, one bottle of this plucky Chinese red was enough to usher in my fortieth birthday with a light heart, and a fruity air. I give three out of four stars. Cheers to China! Bottoms up! James Zaworski

Read all comments (1)|Write your own comment

Write an essay on this topic.