I was in Urumqi, Xinjiang for a holiday in January. It was very cold, about minus ten, so I ventured inside to my friend's bar, called Fubar. We were sitting around talking about wines (over a few beers of course), when the conversation turned to Xinjiang wines. Not being too familiar with Chinese viniculture other than the usual dross, I was a little surprised to find that they were making some apparently good and perfectly acceptable wines. So my friend introduced me to some Xinjiang Ice wine made by Yizhu.

He had never tried Ice Wine, and I had never tried Xinjiang wine. We had a white and a rose. WOW! We had to check the label again to confirm it was in fact Chinese. They were damn good. Made to the Canadian standards, they are not too sweet, with a good finish. Not the best ice wine in the world, but a very commendable effort, and superb value for money. Knowing that no-one else in Shanghai has such a product, we worked out a way to get cases shipped to us, therefore giving senses the only Chinese made ice wine in Shanghai, and for the price, I think it is one of the best value sweet wines in town. If you like Iniskillin and sauternes, you will enjoy this.

Senses Wine Lounge, Shanghai : www.senseswinelounge.com