VQA wine | The Silo

It’s no secret that luxury brands have thrived in China in recent years amid a population increasingly oriented toward high-end consumer goods like fashion, jewelry and automobiles—and the elevated social status such items confer. Today, the Chinese population is immersed in a new love affair: with grape-based wine! According to internationally-renowned sommelier, Noel Shu, China is about to be known producing quality wine bringing the region on par with other wine producing regions such as Napa Valley and Sonoma in California.

A self-made entrepreneur who serves as Managing Partner for ultra-luxe wine and spirits purveyor, Prodiguer Brands Shu recently launched his new book, China Through a Glass of Wine, to provide the most in-depth understanding of the wine marketplace to date and an extensive analysis of the modern Chinese wine industry, revealing a delicate interplay between commerce, the government and the consumer.

International-renowned sommelier, Noel Shu, provides in-depth look at the modern Chinese wine industry and guides us through the misty vineyards and crowded wineries of China.

Following the tradition of great traveling sommeliers, his no-holds-barred journey through China’s emerging wine culture is part ethnography, travel guide, tasting guide, cross-cultural examination and snapshot of the Chinese wine trade and consumer culture at large.

China Through a Glass of Wine also includes insightful interviews with key industry movers and shakers, including China’s largest wine importer and distribution company as well as boutique and unique chateaus across the region, revealing what wine making in present-day China is really like.

Casual wine enthusiasts and travelers as well as serious collectors and globally-minded investors will appreciate the accurate portrayal of China “through a glass of wine.” For the Silo, Trina Kaye.

About the Author
Internationally-regarded sommelier Noel Shu, Managing Partner for the ultra-luxe, award-winning wine and spirits purveyor Prodiguer Brands, is a 24-year-old self-made millionaire, entrepreneur and author of the newly released title, “China Through a Glass of Wine.” With impeccable panache and style, Shu, has already accomplished more than many do in an entire lifetime. He earned his undergraduate at West Point, completed the U.S. Army’s elite and grueling Combat Diver Qualification Course at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School (regarded by many Soldiers as the toughest military school to endure), and has personally designed and sold extraordinary multi-million dollar timepieces and necklaces to China’s elite through his ancillary, highly successful luxury jewelry business. Always striving to for growth and self-improvement and with a reverence for continuing education, despite his busy schedule Shu is currently pursuing an Ivy League Master’s degree at Columbia University. As a globally-minded business practitioner, Shu understands commerce on both sides of the Pacific and brings that expertise to bear with his various ventures, including the highly anticipated upcoming release of “Regale”—an exclusive wine brand expressly developed for the Chinese marketplace, which will be exported to the region in early 2016. For more information about Noel Shu, visit www.prodiguerbrands.com.

SantadrinkingWIne — What’s that Big red capital ‘C’ circling? Santa’s glass of holiday wine punch!

With dinner or dessert, as a gift or enjoyed over conversation, the versatility of wine is rarely more apparent than over the holiday season. With a little bit of foresight and planning, you can make this Christmas and New Year’s extra special with a drink that not only brings people together, but also enhances the flavours of your Christmas feast.

“Wine makes the perfect gift, whether it is for a co-worker or your spouse, and it really is the finishing touch to a great party, ” says Heidi Fielding, the Hospitality Manager at Beamsville’s http://www.fieldingwines.com Fielding Estate Winery. “Knowing which wines best complement which foods and flavours adds a layer of sophistication to your party, and knowing the perfect wine to serve at every step of the party adds an element of organization and flow.”

FieldingGewurztraminer — Thinking roast duck or ham for Christmas dinner? The Fielding ‘traminer is a fantastic match. CP

Here are some of the many ways Heidi suggests you can incorporate wine into your holidays:

Gifts for coworkers. Buying gifts for coworkers is always a difficult task, but a bottle of wine is a gift that works for just about anybody. There is a full slate of Ontario VQA wines available for less than $20, many of which have a universal appeal and stand well on their own or matched with food. Consider a medium-bodied and versatile wine that goes well with everything from appetizers to red meats.

Gifts for loved ones. Just as wines make a good gift for friends or coworkers, higher end wines are ideal for those who are special to you. A
fine wine is a shared experience and fodder for fond memories.

The House Party. Serving wine to your Christmas party guests is a classy and simple gesture that makes a good party great. It’s not a given that all of your guests will be serious wine drinkers, so serving a light white wine is a great idea that will generally please most.

Cocktail Hour/Appetizers. Wine isn’t just for the main course. Picking the right wine to go with your appetizers, or a good wine that can stand on its own, is a definite crowd pleaser.

Christmas Dinner. Not sure which wine to serve with turkey? Definitely a Chardonnay or http://www.fieldingwines.com/store/prod/50 Pinot Noir are perfect with turkey and all the traditional Christmas dishes. These wines are rich enough without overpowering the flavours and spices. A dry Rose is also a great choice and looks very festive at the dinner table.

Hostess Gift. When someone goes through the time and effort of planning a Christmas party, it is a good idea to extend your gratitude with a small gift of appreciation. Take the time to visit an Ontario winery to find a truly special bottle of wine that may not be found in the LCBO.

About Fielding Estate Winery
Fielding Estate Winery is a unique, award-winning winery with an inviting atmosphere located on Niagara’s Beamsville Bench. Fielding’s Muskoka-inspired wine lodge nestled at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment offers stunning views across the winery’s vineyard to Lake Ontario and Toronto’s skyline. This vista is the dominating feature as you sample of some of Ontario’s finest VQA wines, made from grape varieties that perform best in Niagara’s unique microclimate vineyards — Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay for whites, and Pinot Noir and Merlot for reds. With three gold medals, Fielding was the most decorated winery at the 24th annual Cuvée Awards in March 2012 and General Manager Curtis Fielding was named 2012 Grape King recognizing viticulture excellence. CP

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