Chandon
China
Chandon
China
CHANDON China arrived on the scene in 2013, in Ningxia, the country’s top premium winemaking region. Nestling at the foot of Helan Mountain, it had been identified back in 1985 by a team of experts led by Philippe Coulon as having top potential. It took us almost 30 years to settle in this new wineland and release our first CHANDON bottles.
Creation date: 2013
Estate Director: Su Long
Identity
Back in 2009, we began searching for a site in China, believing it to have enormous potential in production and consumption of top-quality sparkling wines. CHANDON experts came to the north of China, to the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain.
This spectacular place, on the edge of a pristine wilderness presided over by rocky peaks, is one of the country’s largest viticultural areas, now recognized domestically and internationally for the calibre of its wine.
What thrilled us about this place wasn’t just the view. It is a pure, wild and free land. On this site, we are writing winemaking history.
CHANDON has called Ningxia home since 2013.
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CHANDON XI
Powerful and sensual. Xi (禧, meaning blissful and auspicious), our first demi-sec red sparkling wine, is perfect for festive celebrations. Its 40g/l dosage is balanced by bright acidity and structure, and its intriguing complexity comes from 12 months’ ageing on lees and the unusual Marselan grape.
Insights
“Both Su Long, the Estate Director, and I are masters graduates of the Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University, the top university in China for viticulture and oenology. I joined CHANDON in 2012 with extensive prior experience as a winemaker, a passion for sparkling wine and a knowledge of what the Chinese market wanted.
The way wine is drunk in China is a little different from the way it’s drunk elsewhere. It’s very much about sharing with friends, or business transactions, as a sign of trust. We call it bottoms-up.
This is why we make a red sparkling called XI. The colour red has positive associations in Chinese culture and this wine has been a great success for its drinkability, versatility and festive feel. “
EVERYONE IS WELCOME AT OUR TABLE
Our winery is the most modern state-of-the-art facility you could hope for in which to make a fundamentally traditional product. The design is contemporary with traditional materials, reflecting the fusion of what we make.
There are deconstructed Chinese patterns and touches of the red that is so auspicious in Chinese culture.
TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FUTURE
CHANDON China was born in an era of environmental consciousness in a high altitude semi-desertic region.
When we set up, most farmers in the area were using flood irrigation, which is very wasteful. From the beginning, we adopted international water-conservation standards and a precise drip-irrigation system. The government has since mandated drip irrigation in the area.
Our soil, like our water, is precious.
Key figures
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2013 Date of foundation of
CHANDON China -
90 Points
And a silver medal for our CHANDON Brut
@ Decanter Wine Awards 2020 -
2020 Best Vineyard Management Award
For CHANDON China @ the RVF Chinese Wine Awards 2020
Drink responsibly.