China's Himalayas are source of a first-class $300 bottle wine
A $300 bottle of wine sold in the US and Europe is made in the unlikeliest of places: at the foot of the Himalayas in China, where farmers sing traditional songs while picking grapes. A stone's throw away from Tibet, Ao Yun's vineyards are located beneath the sacred Meili mountain at altitudes ranging up from 2,200m (7,218 feet) in the southwestern province of Yunnan.
Vineyard farmers were clueless until France-based Moet Hennessy turned up
French luxury giant Moet Hennessy leased the vineyards for 30 years from local farmers in 2012, a decade after the municipal government encouraged villagers to switch from growing barley to grapevines. But without proper knowledge or training, the farmers floundered until the company came, bringing a wealth of expertise and resources to four villages: Adong, Shuori, Sinong, and Xidang.
Grapes in vineyards have to be harvested by hand
The vineyards are situated in middle of the Mekong, Yangtze, and Salween rivers, where there's moderate temperature all-year round so the vines don't have to be buried to prevent them from freezing in winter. The property is divided into over 300 small-parcels spread over 28 hectares and grapes are harvested by hand, requiring four times more work-hours on average than the world's biggest vineyards.
Transformation of farm into profitable business working well for farmers
For villagers like 42-year-old Ci Liwudui, who leases out his land and has family members working on the vineyard, the transformation of the farms that once grew basic crops into bustling, profitable businesses was a godsend. "It has brought good changes to the four villages...we don't have to worry about money, people don't have to go out to work laborious jobs anymore," Ci said.
Moet Hennessey took four years to find the vineyards
While wine consumption is soaring in China, it isn't known as a major producer, but Moet Hennessy had bet on this remote location to show the Asian country can produce a first-class bottle of red. It took four years for the company to find the ideal spot in China- Ao Yun, Chinese for "flying above the clouds," which debuted in 2013.
Ao Yun is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
The company wanted to show that a great wine could be made in China, where even local consumers trust French wines more than homegrown products, Maxence Dulou, Ao Yun's estate manager said. The smooth full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc has surprised many wine lovers. Only 2,000 cases are produced per year and are sold in China, Asia, the US, and Europe.
China set to become world's second largest wine consumer
Meanwhile, China's appetite for wine has matured over the last 10 years, led by its burgeoning middle class. The country is set to become the world's second largest wine consumer by 2021. China's wine market was worth $71 billion in 2017 and is expected to grow 27% in the next five years to nearly $91 billion, according to research group Euromonitor.
Unfortunately, domestic wine sales sank for fifth consecutive year
However, Chinese consumers are turning their noses up at local wines, as imported wine consumption grew over 17% year on year in 2017 while domestic wine sales plummeted for the fifth consecutive year. Chinese wine has had a history of inconsistent quality, but Dulou is determined to change the prejudice attached to the term 'Made in China'.
