Danyang Fenggang Wine

Danyang Fenggang Wine

　　This wine has been famous throughout history. According to records, before the Northern Wei Emperor Xiaowen launched his southern campaign, he bid farewell to General Liu Zao, agreeing to entertain the people with "Qu’e’s wine" upon their victorious reunion. Qu’e is present-day Danyang, hence Danyang Fenggang Wine was historically known as “Qu’e Wine.”

　　It is made from high-quality local glutinous rice—large, even, white, sticky, and aromatic in flavor. The production requires the use of sweet-tasting Yuru Spring water, rich in various mineral salts, along with a specially prepared brewing starter. Through low-temperature saccharification and fermentation, when the sugar level peaks, over 50-proof Xiaoqu rice wine is added, after which the vat is immediately and tightly sealed. After a certain period of fermentation, 60% of the refined liquid is extracted, then pressed. These two components are blended in proportion, bottled, and tightly sealed for storage for 2–3 years before completion. The wine is dark red and bright in color, with a rich aroma and delicious, fresh taste. It has an alcohol content of 40% and a sugar content of over 28%, with a total acidity of 0.3%.

　　Legend has it that long ago, on a street in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, there was a well that did not produce water but wine. The wine that gushed from this well was rich and fragrant, detectable more than ten li away and noticeable all day long. As a result, there were many taverns on this street, and patrons didn’t need to pay for the wine—just buy some side dishes. That’s why more and more people came to drink here every day, and the street became quite famous. During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhang Fei, one of the mighty generals of the Shu Kingdom, passed through Zhenjiang. The moment he disembarked, he was greeted by the wine’s aroma, which made his mouth water. Upon inquiry, he learned there was a wine well here. Ignoring the military rule that “soldiers must not drink while on duty,” he began drinking as soon as he arrived—goblet after goblet—and shouted as he drank, “Good wine, good wine!” He drank bowl after bowl until he finally collapsed unconscious. When Guan Yu found out, he stormed over to the tavern in anger, demanding to know why they had given his brother so much to drink. The tavern keeper replied, “Our wine comes from the well—it’s free. Anyone who comes may drink as much as they like.” Guan Yu didn’t believe there could be a well that produced wine or that wine could be free. He insisted the innkeeper take him to see it. When he peered into the well, the pungent aroma of wine wafted up, and as he took a deep breath, the strong fumes made him cough violently, turning his face bright red. That’s how Guan Yu got his famously ruddy complexion. Guan Yu thought, if wine is free, people will drink too much and neglect their duties, causing no end of trouble. So, he raised his Green Dragon Crescent Blade and split the well in two. The wine flooded the streets, turning the area into a sea of liquor. It is said that the street was later named “Jiuhai Street” (Wine Sea Street). The wine that flowed from the well ran into the canal and eventually reached Danyang. There, every household collected it in jars. They would only open a jar during festivals, weddings, or when celebrating a baby’s “Three-Day Wine” ceremony to serve to family and friends. This eventually became the famous Fenggang Wine of Danyang.