Changyu-Castel - Cabernet Gernischt
Producer: Changyu-Castel
Varietal: Cabernet Gernischt
Vintage: 2003
Region: Shandong, China
Price: ~ $20 This was my very first Chinese wine. I wasn't completely sure what to think but many good Chinese wines were grown from grapes imported from Europe and the US. The Cabernet Gernischt was is a rare varietal imported from Bordeaux in 1892 but is now extinct in much of Europe. The bouquet smelled of oak and strong earth with underpinnings of strawberry and rhubarb. It was definitely a full-bodied wine draped in the darkest burgundy I've seen in a long time. The palate had flavours of oak, moss and rich soil with a long and dry finish. I would say though that it would've been nice to have some sweetness in there to balance the acidity a bit more. It was really interesting to try this one. There weren't a lot of people clamouring to taste the wine but in all honesty it wasn't bad and how often can you say that you've had a wine from China (at least in Canada). It will be really interesting to see how Chinese wine will grow. In previous years almost all Chinese wine has been exported, but the local market is beginning to take notice, and quite frankly, it's the biggest market in the world. Okay... peace out!
J PS: Let's go Kevin Martin!!!
Varietal: Cabernet Gernischt
Vintage: 2003
Region: Shandong, China
Price: ~ $20 This was my very first Chinese wine. I wasn't completely sure what to think but many good Chinese wines were grown from grapes imported from Europe and the US. The Cabernet Gernischt was is a rare varietal imported from Bordeaux in 1892 but is now extinct in much of Europe. The bouquet smelled of oak and strong earth with underpinnings of strawberry and rhubarb. It was definitely a full-bodied wine draped in the darkest burgundy I've seen in a long time. The palate had flavours of oak, moss and rich soil with a long and dry finish. I would say though that it would've been nice to have some sweetness in there to balance the acidity a bit more. It was really interesting to try this one. There weren't a lot of people clamouring to taste the wine but in all honesty it wasn't bad and how often can you say that you've had a wine from China (at least in Canada). It will be really interesting to see how Chinese wine will grow. In previous years almost all Chinese wine has been exported, but the local market is beginning to take notice, and quite frankly, it's the biggest market in the world. Okay... peace out!
J PS: Let's go Kevin Martin!!!
