A sweet red wine from Fujian
Chengangjiu, from Longyan in western Fujian, is one of the best-known red qu rice wines of southern China. Like the other wines of the region, it is brewed with hongqu, red yeast rice, which gives it a deep colour and a rich, sweet character.
The sinking jar
Its name, 沉缸酒, means 'sinking jar wine', a reference to the way the lees settle to the bottom of the jar during brewing.
Why it matters
Chengangjiu shows the sweet side of Chinese rice wine and the diversity of Fujian's red qu tradition.