Heishui Za Wine

Heishui Za Wine

　　Heishui Za Wine is a specialty of Heishui County in the Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. This mellow and pleasant wine is not only highly nutritious and beneficial to health, but also adds brilliance to festivals and enhances festive cheer.

　　Drinking Za Wine is a popular activity among people of all ages in the Heishui region. It is an essential item for celebrations such as holidays, weddings, funerals, marriages, house constructions, and when receiving or giving gifts. Za Wine is mostly brewed from highland barley, hence it is also called Highland Barley Wine, though some are made from corn or wheat.

　　The brewing process involves cooking highland barley, corn, or wheat, then spreading the grains on a winnowing basket or sieve to cool to a lukewarm temperature. After mixing in wine yeast, the mixture is placed in a large pot, covered with wheat straw or other insulating materials, and left to ferment for several days. It is then transferred to a jar, which is sealed tightly with diluted mud. After ten to fifteen days, it is ready to drink. To serve, the jar is opened, hot water is poured in, and thin bamboo straws are inserted for people to take turns sipping. As they sip, more hot water is added until the flavor becomes weak. Za Wine is mellow and pleasant, not only highly nutritious and good for health, but also adds brilliance to festivals and enhances festive cheer. Therefore, the locals in Heishui often say, “We may skip the meat, but we can’t do without Za Wine.” The talented and musical Tibetan people of Heishui, during joyous festivals, wedding banquets, birthdays, farewells, or when welcoming distinguished guests, will always brew Za Wine. They gather around the wine jar, sipping and dancing joyfully to the Guozhuang dance, singing and dancing to their heart’s content to express their best wishes.