Chinese Winemakers (62) Cui Kexu:To Make the Great Shangri-La Wine
Date£º
2015-04-25 13:30 Source£º
China Wine Online Author:
Miao Xingyun Translator:
To make a wine that feel proud of is every winemaker¡¯s dream,just like everyone has its ¡°Shangri-La¡± in his heart. The vice general manager and technical director Cui Kexu of Shangri-la Wine Co., Ltd is one of them.
Cui Kexu,born in Penglai,Shandong Province.Senor engineer,first-level winemaker and wine taster,won the title of 10 best winemakers in 2013.
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Different from many winemakers,he choose wine industry as his career by himself.Penglai is one of China¡¯s largest and earliest wine regions,as a local he knows about wine grapes and wines before starting work.While still studying in school,his tutor advised him to choose wine industry.She is an expert in wine teaching and scientific research.She thought wine industry was a promising industry just emerging in China.It¡¯s a industry worth lifetime devotion.
After graduation in 1997,he came to work in a Penglai winery where he met Peng Dehuai,a well-known wine expert.He learned a lot from this good teacher and helpful friend.
After retiring in 1998,Peng Dehuai was hired as chief engineer for Yunnan Gaoyuan Wine Company.So Cui Kexu follwed him and came to Yunnan.In 2000,they both joined Yunnan Shangri-la Wine Co., Ltd.
Besides highland barley wine,the winery began to make grape wine in June,2002.Cui Kexu said at the beginning of Chinese wine industry,grape cultivation and wine making was separated.But to make good wine,winemakers should know grape cultivation.So he spent most of time in vineyards.At that time,the winery had more than 3,000 mus (200 hectares)vineyards in Deqin county,90% located at altitude between 1800¡ª2800 meters.
The winery also developed vineyards in Penglai(Shandong) and Lulong(Hebei).In 2004,Shangri-la (Qinhuangdao) Wine Company was put into production.Then he was assigned to work here.After five years,he was back to Yunnan.
Shangri-la¡¯s vineyards mainly located in valleys between Jinsha river and Lancang river between altitude 1800-2800meters,which is one of the highest vineyards in the world.Cui Kexu said,¡±To get involved in Shangri-la¡¯s vineyard construction and wine making,is my rare opportunity and challenge during my career.¡±
In order to make the best Shangri-la wines,Cui Kexu with his team is devoting themselves to studying the unique terroir.
(More information, please read its original text in Chinese http://www.winechina.com/html/2015/02/201502271564.html)