Results for Chinese wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards continue to establish its reputation as a quality-led wine producing country.
At the 2024 competition, China received 178 medals. With five Gold, 55 Silver and 118 Bronze medals, China’s wine-producing reputation is continuing to go from strength to strength.
Last year’s awards featured a very strong line up of red wines, particularly on Bordeaux blends, said Co-Chair Sarah-Jane Evans MW. ‘When we come to taste all the Bordeaux blend styles from around the world, we taste Bordeaux but at the same time we could be tasting a Bordeaux blend from Canada, China, Australia and New Zealand.
‘It’s that moment when we put them all together and say we’re not looking for them to make Bordeaux, we’re just looking for great wine and it could be that it’s a different terroir, different climate, the same great varieties but you’re going to get something really special. You taste the wine and you see it has this lovely character. It’s very distinctive. It speaks to where it comes from.’
Scroll down to see award-winning Chinese wines from DWWA 2024
From Rkatsiteli or China’s ‘signature grape’, Marselan to Cabernet Sauvignon entries included a diverse array of styles, including sparkling and sweet wines.
To ring in the Chinese New Year on 29 February and highlight some producers to keep your eye on, we’ve selected 15 award-winning wines from the 2024 competition to try, each awarded 92+ points.
Whether familiar with Chinese wines or looking for where to start, discover benchmark examples of the quality wines China is becoming known for.
Chinese New Year: 15 award-winning wines to try
Sparkling
Domaine Chandon Ningxia, Brut, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia NV
Gold, 95 points
Ardent lemon zest and zing with racy green apple acidity, a wonderfully rich and persistent mousse and a counterbalancing savoury dynamism. Creamy and lustrous with a keen finish. Alcohol 12.5%
White
Silver Heights Vineyard, Reserve Chardonnay, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2021
Gold, 95 points
Adorned with green apple, lime and pineapple which melds beautifully with flinty minerals. Bright and glossy with a creamy texture and a seamless drive of acidity. Lengthy. Alc 12.5%
Red
Chateau Changyu Tinlot, Yantai, Shandong 2016
Gold, 96 points
Flourishing florals and dark, peppery fruit aromatics over a well-built body awash with sweet, coconut oak tannins and a zingy mint acidity. Long with a tobacco finish. Alc 14.5%
Citic Niya, Niya Legend Marselan Blend, Manas, Xinjiang 2021
Value Gold, 95 points
Bewitching cassis, raspberry and Morello cherry sit contentedly alongside herbaceous florals, with polished, unctuous oak, crisp tannins and a plush texture that carries through to the lasting finish. Alc 13.5%
Chateau Jinfulan, Sheng Wei Lan Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2021
Silver, 94 points
Very ripe cassis, raspberry, lots of tarry tones with vanilla and smoky undertones. Nice weight on the palate, lovely texture. Alc 15%
Shepherd Vineyard, Shiraz, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022
Silver, 94 points
Dry, fresh, silky and nicely structured with plenty of peppers. Bright and shiny with really good concentration and elegance. Alc 14%
Li’s Winery, Family Honor Merlot, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022
Silver, 93 points
Cooked red fruit compote with chocolate and blossom, seasoned by oak spice undertones. Fresh palate with rounded tannins. Vivid finish. Alc 14.8%
Chateau Copower Jade, Fei Tswei Reserve Syrah, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2021
Silver, 92 points
Lovely blueberry aromas with notes of moka and blackberry fruit. Elegant and peppery on the palate, big yet stylish. Alc 14.5%
Dongfang Yuxing Winery, Geruihong Xiaozi Dornfelder, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022
Silver, 92 points
Minty nose with morello cherry, raspberries, ripe plums and vanilla notes. Sweet fruit flavours, juicy and very pleasant. Alc 13.8%
Great Wall Ningxia, Greatwall Chateau Terroir 3556 Marselan-Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2021
Silver, 92 points
Lovely nose with ripe cassis, cherry and raspberry along with spices of leather, clove and cedar. Big and full-bodied, lots of wine. Alc 15.8%
Ho-Lan Soul, Reserved Organic Merlot, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2020
Silver, 92 points
Delicious attractive fresh medley with redcurrants and victoria plums . Hints of mint and herbs give freshness on the palate. Alc 14.5%
Huangkou Winery, Shuangjiao Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2022
Silver, 92 points
Expressive aromas of blueberry, morello cherry and notes of vanilla with minty nuances. Vibrant and fresh fruit character, warm finish. Alc 14.9%
Jade Vineyard, Heshan Single Vineyard Merlot, Helan Mountain East, Ningxia 2019
Silver, 92 points
Rich aromas of black forest cake with notes of black cherry and bilberry. Elegant and firm on the palate, silky texture. Alc 14.5%
Sweet
Sanhe, Cailonglin Jinding Icewine Vidal, Huanren, Liaoning 2021
Gold, 95 points
Undeniably rich layers of peach, melon, pineapple and lychee with a stunning honeyed intensity underscored by a gravity-defying, nerve-wracking freshness and lift. Unforgettable and elegant. Alc 12%
Changyu Golden Icewine Valley, Golden Diamond Icewine Vidal, Huanren, Liaoning 2021
Silver, 92 points
Amber colour. Peachy aromas with notes of dried apricots, ginger and honey. Beautifully balanced with acidity, lean and stylish. Alc 11%
