Fangxian Yellow Rice Wine

Fangxian Yellow Rice Wine

Fangxian Yellow Rice Wine is a geographical indication protected product.

　　“Fangling Yellow Rice Wine” has a long history and was known in ancient times as “Frontier Imperial Wine” or “Emperor-Sealed Royal Wine.” Historical records indicate that Shaoxing Yellow Rice Wine was first produced in 492 BC during the reign of King Goujian of Yue, whereas “Fangling Yellow Rice Wine” had already become “Frontier Imperial Wine” as early as 827 BC during the Western Zhou Dynasty. The globally famous author of the Book of Songs, Yin Jifu, was a native of Fangling. The King of Chu sent his Grand Tutor, Yin Jifu, as an envoy to present tribute to King Xuan of Zhou. Yin Jifu brought a jar of locally produced “Baimao” (yellow rice wine) from Fangling to offer to King Xuan of Zhou. When the precious offering was opened in the palace hall, its aroma filled the room. After taking a sip, King Xuan of Zhou praised its excellent taste and thus conferred upon it the title of “Frontier Imperial Wine.” He also ordered that the “Baimao” annually contributed by Fangling be bottled in jars of varying sizes, using them to demarcate frontier lands and reward feudal lords. Fangxian Yellow Rice Wine flourished during the Tang Dynasty. When Empress Wu Zetian deposed Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian and exiled him as the Prince of Luling to Fangling, he resided there for fourteen years. During this time, 720 accompanying imperial craftsmen refined the local brewing methods. After ascending the throne, Li Xian honored Fangxian Yellow Rice Wine as “Imperial Wine of the Yellow Emperor,” hence it is also called “Royal Wine.”

　　Fangling Yellow Rice Wine is a semi-sweet type of northern wine, with a color ranging from jade white to light yellow, and a deliciously sweet and sour taste. Testing shows that its caloric content is five times that of beer and 1.5 times that of wine. It contains over 20 kinds of amino acids, various vitamins, and trace elements, offering benefits such as invigorating blood vessels, strengthening the stomach, nourishing the spleen and liver, stimulating appetite, and relieving fatigue. This yellow rice wine is a staple year-round among locals and is indispensable at weddings, funerals, marriages, and other ceremonies.

　　The production area of Fangxian Yellow Rice Wine covers the entire administrative region of Fangxian County, Hubei Province.