Xinjiang

Overview

Xinjiang is China's largest grape-growing region by area, with vineyards clustered in the Turpan Basin, the Yanqi Basin, and along the northern Tianshan Mountains near Manas and Shihezi. The extreme continental desert climate brings more than three thousand hours of annual sunshine, very low rainfall, and dramatic diurnal temperature swings.

Vines must be irrigated and are often buried in winter to survive temperatures that can plunge below minus twenty degrees Celsius. Tiansai Vineyards, Puchang Vineyard, and Chateau Loulan are among the region's notable producers. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and the Georgian grape Rkatsiteli are important varieties.

Key Varietals

• Cabernet SauvignonA powerful, sun-ripened red with dark fruit and firm tannins.
• MerlotA soft, fruity red that handles Xinjiang's intense heat and sunlight.
• SyrahA spicy, full-bodied red from the region's warmer desert sites.
• RkatsiteliAn ancient Georgian white grape producing fresh, textured wines in Xinjiang.