Ningxia - Helan Mountains and Ancient Yellow River
Main grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Gernischt, Chardonnay
Climate: In a word: continental - the eastern border of this region lies 600 miles from the nearest ocean. Summers are hot, however thanks to the high altitude (1200m above sea level) the growing of vines is still possible. The altitude also means that nights are much cooler, which helps to slow down the ripening of the grapes, and enables them to retain a high level of acidity. The winters that follow this heat are incredibly cold, and vines here have to be protected from the freezing temperatures with an insulating mound of dirt that is piled around the base of the plant.
You should know… Helan Mountains and Yellow River are sub-region of the Ningxia area. While the Yellow River provides all the water for irrigation in this arid landscape Helan Mountains is widely regarded as one of the best wine producing regions in the country, particularly after being made China’s first official appellation in 2003. In 2010 it went on to shock the world when a 2009 Helan Qing Xue Hia Bei Lan Cabernet blend won a major trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards, cementing the regions place on the Wine World stage. Companies such as Pernod Ricard and Moet Hennessy sat up and took notice of this acclaim, and they now have interests there. However, some critics feels that the slow ripening Cabernet Sauvignon grape is not so well suited to the short growing season here, encouraging the planting of the better adapted Chardonnay and Riesling, as well as some Syrah.
Climate: In a word: continental - the eastern border of this region lies 600 miles from the nearest ocean. Summers are hot, however thanks to the high altitude (1200m above sea level) the growing of vines is still possible. The altitude also means that nights are much cooler, which helps to slow down the ripening of the grapes, and enables them to retain a high level of acidity. The winters that follow this heat are incredibly cold, and vines here have to be protected from the freezing temperatures with an insulating mound of dirt that is piled around the base of the plant.
You should know… Helan Mountains and Yellow River are sub-region of the Ningxia area. While the Yellow River provides all the water for irrigation in this arid landscape Helan Mountains is widely regarded as one of the best wine producing regions in the country, particularly after being made China’s first official appellation in 2003. In 2010 it went on to shock the world when a 2009 Helan Qing Xue Hia Bei Lan Cabernet blend won a major trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards, cementing the regions place on the Wine World stage. Companies such as Pernod Ricard and Moet Hennessy sat up and took notice of this acclaim, and they now have interests there. However, some critics feels that the slow ripening Cabernet Sauvignon grape is not so well suited to the short growing season here, encouraging the planting of the better adapted Chardonnay and Riesling, as well as some Syrah.
