Baijiu region
Shaanxi
陕西Shǎnxī
Shaanxi Province · Fengxiang, land of the phoenix and of phoenix aroma baijiu
- Province
- Shaanxi Province
- Aroma type
- feng aroma
- Key place
- Fengxiang
- Distillery
- Xifeng
Shaanxi, in northwest China, is home to one of the oldest names in baijiu: Xifengjiu, 'West Phoenix Spirit', from Fengxiang. It is the reference producer of phoenix aroma (凤香) baijiu, a style that combines aspects of strong and light aroma. Not to be confused with its neighbour Shanxi (山西), home of Fenjiu.
The land of the phoenix
Fengxiang (凤翔) means 'phoenix soaring'. The area was given this name in 757, during the Tang dynasty, after legends of phoenixes taking flight from the region. By the early 17th century, nearly 50 distilleries in Fengxiang were producing a spirit called xifengjiu. In 1956 they were nationalised and combined into the Shaanxi Xifengjiu Company. Xifengjiu was recognised as one of China's 'Four Famous Spirits' at the first national alcohol appraisal conference in 1952.
Phoenix aroma
Phoenix aroma is distilled mainly from sorghum fermented in earthen pits, with a qu made from barley and peas. Unlike strong aroma producers, who treasure their old pits, phoenix aroma producers replace the mud lining of their pits every year and use a short fermentation of about ten days. The spirit is then aged in 'jiu hai' (酒海), 'seas of alcohol', large traditional storage containers.
Wine
Shaanxi also has vineyards: Changyu, China's largest wine group, has a production base in the province.
History
757
During the Tang dynasty, the area is renamed Fengxiang, 'phoenix soaring'.
Early 17th century
Nearly 50 distilleries in Fengxiang produce xifengjiu.
1952
Xifengjiu is named one of China's 'Four Famous Spirits' at the first national alcohol appraisal conference.
1956
Fengxiang's distilleries are nationalised and combined into the Shaanxi Xifengjiu Company.
Sub-regions
Fengxiang凤翔
Home of Xifengjiu and of phoenix aroma baijiu.
Producers
Sources
- China's top 10 baijiu brands — Visit Beijing
- Vineyards in China's winemaking hub set sights on global opportunities — China Daily, 2021
- The world of baijiu: aroma classification, its historical origins and contemporary relevance — Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
- Microbial and flavor characteristics of various baijiu types (Table 1) — Frontiers in Microbiology (PMC), 2022