Poly Auction "Chinese Wine, A Delight to the World" Ningxia Wine Tasting Event

The "Chinese Wine, A Delight to the World" tasting event was grandly held at the Poly Art Space in Hong Kong. The event brought together over 30 Hong Kong art and wine enthusiasts, showcasing the extraordinary charm of Ningxia wines through five exquisite selections, stories from three renowned wineries, and in-depth discussions on the prospects of the "wine + cultural tourism" industry.

Helan Hong Winery is a wholly state-owned enterprise under the Ningxia Helan Mountain East Foothill Wine Industry Park Management Committee. Its products have graced state banquets and are frequently designated wines for various international events. The 2018 Helan Hun Hero Reserve Dry Red Wine was presented as a national gift to French President Macron. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, it underwent 14 months of barrel aging, resulting in a robust body and rich aromas that amazed attendees.

The 2019 Helan Hong Jiangnan Edition Reserve Dry White Wine, crafted from Chardonnay, features three months of oak barrel aging that enriches its flavor and aroma while preserving the refreshing style of the grape, effectively showcasing the essence of Ningxia wine. 

Huahao Winery focuses on producing premium wines centered around Marselan and is recognized as a leader in high-quality Marselan in China. The 2019 Huahao Marselan Family Reserve Dry Red Wine, its flagship product, has won multiple international gold and grand gold medals, representing the finest quality and distinct personality of Ningxia Marselan.

Zhenshan Vineyard, founded by renowned winemaker Jiang Tao, combines unique terroir understanding with an innovative spirit, particularly in Marselan and Petit Verdot winemaking. The 2022 Zhenshan Orange Skin Natural White Wine is one of Jiang Tao's recent proud creations. This natural wine, a blend of Vidal and Welschriesling, aged for 16 months in new barrels, earned rave reviews from guests for its unique flavor. 

National Gift Quality Shines in Hong Kong:
A special display featured the 2023 national gift wine set presented to President Macron, regarded as a "national calling card" of Chinese wine culture. This carefully curated set includes representative works from six top wineries in Ningxia, such as the 2018Helan Hun Hero Reserve Dry Red Wine and the 2014 Helan God Reserve Organic Dry Red Wine.

Each wine in this national gift has undergone strict selection, showcasing excellent quality, exquisite packaging, and profound cultural significance, reflecting China's emphasis on wine diplomacy. This national gift symbolizes the friendship between China and France, embodying the wisdom and craftsmanship of Ningxia winemakers and telling the story of the enchanting Helan Mountain East Foothill region—a vivid expression of China's cultural confidence.
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"Purple Industry" Links with Cultural Tourism
Alan Yuen, director of Ningxia Helan Mountain International Wine Co., Ltd., emphasized during the thematic presentation: "Hong Kong is a 'super connector' to the world. Mr Leung Chun-Ying encouraged Hong Kong to be the bridge for the country's 'last mile'. We hope to convey Ningxia’s terroir stories to the world through Hong Kong."

Alan Yuen elaborated on Ningxia's strategic layout and significant achievements in the integration of "wine + cultural tourism." He noted that the Ningxia wine region has developed into a scale-based, clustered industry, with the Helan Mountain East Foothill area being China's largest concentrated wine grape region, home to over 200 diverse wineries. In 2023, the area welcomed over 3 million tourists, showcasing vibrant industrial vitality.

This land not only nurtures high-quality wines but also carries a rich historical and cultural heritage. As an important node of the ancient Silk Road, it features cultural relics like the Great Wall, mysterious Western Xia royal tombs, and ancient Helan Mountain rock paintings, blending with modern wineries to weave a cultural tapestry spanning millennia.
 
Notably, Ningxia's unique natural conditions add distinctive charm to its cultural tourism industry. Known as the "hometown of stars," its pristine night skies make stargazing a local specialty, allowing visitors to stroll through vineyards and enjoy fine wine by day and gaze at the starry sky by night, experiencing the poetic realm of "grape wine in luminous cups."

As the permanent host of the "China International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo," Ningxia will welcome its fifth edition from June 9 to 12, 2025. This international platform will continue to connect Ningxia's wine industry with the world, allowing more international friends to appreciate the unique charm of Chinese wine culture.

Alan also mentioned that Ningxia, being the closest established wine region to Hong Kong, has two flights weekly from Hong Kong, making it an important source of tourists for Ningxia's cultural tourism. The company plans to organize exploration tours for Hong Kong delegations to experience the full industrial chain story from vineyard to glass. 

A Shared "Purple Appointment" to Tell China's Story
This tasting event skillfully fused art and wine culture, creating a unique cultural dialogue at the Poly Art Space. As Alan stated: "Wine is a moving work of art. Each bottle of Ningxia wine carries the ancient echoes of Helan Mountain rock paintings, the brilliant marks of Western Xia civilization, and embodies the innovative wisdom of contemporary Chinese winemakers."

At the event, five Ningxia wines presented a dual interpretation of "taste art" and "visual art," showcasing the profound cultural heritage and modern vitality of China to the world. In the future, with deepening cultural exchanges between Ningxia and Hong Kong, Ningxia wine will emerge as an elegant medium for telling the stories of the Silk Road and conveying cultural confidence, allowing the world to experience the unique terroir charm of the Helan Mountain East Foothill region through a glass of Ningxia wine.