China's wine industry is rising to the world ranks and along with it is Ao Yun, a Chinese brand that has been praised for its distinguished taste and other unique qualities.
In an interview with Newsweek during a tasting session of Ao Yun's 2013 and 2014 vintages, Maxence DuLou of Moët Hennessy Estates & Wines told the outlet that Ao Yun wine can be paired with almost any type of food due to its "very unique" qualities.
"There is no limit in the food pairing," DuLou said, adding that Ao Yun wine is "something very unique, so people that are pioneers, creatives, should taste this wine. People that are curious. It's another expression of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It's for those who want to discover."
For DuLou, Ao Yun is for everybody. However, it could be more effective for people who are adventurous and are looking for a different twist to the usual wines they purchase from western winemakers.
A notable feature that Ao Yun has is this Chinese wine can be aged for over 20 years. While a similar wine was created in Bordeaux, France, this particular Chinese brand has gained the attention of wine-lovers and experts for its taste that seems to tell tasters how and where its grapes were grown.
Ao Yun vineyards are scattered across villages in Xidang, Sinong, Shuori, and Adong villages. These specific villages in the Yunnan region are particularly recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, which could explain why this Chinese wine has been making a name for itself in the global market.
DuLou noted that one of the reasons why Ao Yun wine holds distinctiveness is because the vineyards are located in a high-altitude region. More importantly, DuLou explained that the farmers working in vineyards have a very critical role in ensuring that their winemaking procedures will produce only the best results.
Earlier last year, a Forbes report stated that China's Ao Yun wine is a product that proves the country has what it takes to compete with the world's best such as 2008 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia and 2007 Domaine Leroy Clos de Vougeot.
Furthermore, the report revealed that the Ao Yun 2014 is "at a different level" as it featured more balance, depth, and a higher intensity level that tells the story of how Chinese wine is groomed until the product is ready to be aged.
Ao Yun wine is a blend of 10 percent Cabernet Franc and 90 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards are specifically located below the Meili mountain in China's Yunnan province.
