Rice wine
Pagoda (Tapai) Shaoxing Huadiao, 5 years
塔牌绍兴花雕酒Tǎpái Shàoxīng Huādiāo jiǔ
- Category
- Rice wine
- Style
- Huadiao
- Region
- Zhejiang
- Producer
- Pagoda (Tapai)
- Age
- 5 years
- Raw materials
- Glutinous rice,Wheat (wheat qu),Water from Jianhu Lake
Aromas
- almond
- honey
- vanilla
- dried fruit
- sherry-like
Overview
A five-year-old huadiao from Pagoda (Tapai), Shaoxing’s most respected rice wine brand, made on the shore of Jianhu Lake. Amber, semi-dry and nutty, it is a fine introduction to aged Shaoxing wine. Alcohol is usually around 14–16%, depending on the bottling.
Tasting
- Appearance
- Clear amber.
- Nose
- Almonds, honey and a hint of vanilla, reminiscent of an oloroso sherry.
- Palate
- Smooth and mellow, with a light sweetness that lingers.
Production
- Type
- Huangjiu, semi-dry (huadiao)
- Fermentation
- Made by hand, with a minimum of 11 months of natural fermentation; under China’s standard, Shaoxing wine must be made from glutinous rice, wheat and Jianhu Lake water
- Ageing vessel
- Clay jars
- Ageing time
- 5 years
- Volume
- 500 ml
Serving
- Temperature
- Slightly warm, or at room temperature
- Glass
- Small wine glass or a traditional bowl
Pairing
- Drunken chicken
- Dongpo pork
- Hairy crab
Its nutty, savoury depth matches the classic dishes of Shaoxing and the Yangtze delta.
Sources
- Pagoda: Shaoxing’s finest rice wine — Ch’ng Poh Tiong
- Pagoda Touhai ShaoXing Rice Wine 5 Years Aged — Sous Chef