Nü'er hong

Like huadiao, nü'er hong is Shaoxing wine aged for years in sealed clay jars, which gives it a deep amber colour and complex aromas of caramel, nuts and dried fruit. The two names describe the same family of aged wines: huadiao refers to the carved, decorated jars, nü'er hong to the tradition of the daughter's wine.

The story

According to Shaoxing tradition, when a daughter was born the family brewed wine, sealed it in clay jars and buried it, often under a tree in the courtyard. On her wedding day, years later, the jars were dug up and the wine was served to the guests. Red is the colour of weddings and joy in China, hence 'daughter's red'.

And for sons

Sons had their own tradition: wine buried at a boy's birth was opened when he passed the imperial examinations, and was called 状元红 (zhuàngyuán hóng), 'the top scholar's red'.

What it tastes like

Nü'er hong is usually a semi-dry wine aged for years: deep amber, with notes of walnut, dates, caramel and soy, and a long, warm finish.

How to recognise it

Look for 女儿红 on the label, often on decorated ceramic jars. Check the age statement and the producer: the name is used by several Shaoxing brands, at different levels of quality.