Yellow rice wine originated in China is one of the most ancient wines in the world. It is produced now in many places and has many varieties, but the wine from Shaoxing in Zhejiang Province is considered the best representative of the kind and enjoys the most popularity in both domestic and world markets.
Because of the semitropical monsoon climate, the Shaoxing area has mild weather, clear four seasons and is rich in rivers and lakes, a superb condition for fermenting. With grains, mainly rice, as material, the yellow rice wine is produced through steaming, sugar ansformation ferment and filtering. The yellow rice wine produced in Shaoxing is so famous for three reasons: Good water, refined material and traditional techniques.
With a medium degree of alcohol and mellow taste, the wine has a function as an appetizer and is a good seasoningbeing used in both families and restaurants. It has also a wide usage in medicine. Many prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine need it to enhance the medicine's effects.
With such good wine, Shaoxing people, VIPs or ordinary citizens, countrymen or urbanites, all seem to be familiar with the yellow rice wine. The wine has become an important part in their productive work and a necessity in their life. Therefore, various customs related with the wine were formed and some are retained.
