Tonghua: City of wine

Tonghua, a city in southern Jilin province, has a tradition of wine-making.

In 1937, the first wine factory in China was built there and its wine, together with Maotai -- one of the most popular and famous wine brands in China, was the wine chosen for the founding ceremony of the People's Rebublic of China in 1949. Then Premier Zhou Enlai named it the Wine for National Day Celebration.

As China developed, people's need for wine changed. Tonghua has kept pace with the times by innovating its wine-making techniques and development strategy.

After many years'efforts, its two wines Tonghua and Tongtian are now renowned Chinese brands.

Tonghua, with its unique climate and advantageous geographical conditions, is perfect for grapes.

The temperature there in summer can rise to 36 degrees centigrade and in winter can fall to 42.5 degrees below zero. Such a big temperature difference minimizes pest issues and generates polyphenol and pigment substances in the grapes.

In addition to a favorable temperature range, it also has plentiful rainfall, mineral-rich soil, and a long frost-free season; all advantageous for growing grapes.

These advantages make the area the best grape-producing center in China.

One grape variety, Beibinghong, is known as the source of the best ice wine in the country.

Beibinghong is cultivated and promoted by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Due to its low temperatures, Tonghua is ideal for the variety and has become the only region for iced grape wine in the world.

To promote the growth of vineyards and the wine industry, Liuhe county in Tonghua, known as the wine capital of China, has implemented a series of policies and programs.

Tonghua now holds a large share of the grape-related industrial output and value in the province.

With a vision of a wine tourism region and by making full use of local resources, provincial authorities have built an integrated high-end wine industry covering grape-planting, wine-production and tourism.

The city of wine -- Tonghua -- will continue to introduce China's wine culture to the world.