Wine "Lost" French Earthwork Brewing
More than 100 years ago, French missionaries came to Zizhong and found that the soil and climate here were very suitable for grape cultivation. Therefore, they not only brought religion but also French grape seeds and winemaking recipes. Nowadays in Zizhong, every household grows grapes and brews wine, and the Zizhong Church even has a large vineyard. Unfortunately, we arrived too late and only saw the leaves in the vineyard.
According to the introduction, the grape variety in Zizhong is called Mrs. Hua, or Rose Honey, which is from Bordeaux in France and has a cultivation history of over 500 years. A few years ago, a Frenchman specially came to Zizhong and took a bag of soil, a bottle of spring water, and several grape seedlings. It turns out that after 500 years, the Bordeaux grapes in France had degenerated and mutated, but were preserved in a remote village in the East.
Most of the wine in the village is for personal consumption or for entertaining guests, and some tourists also buy a few barrels to take home. Due to slight differences in each family's winemaking recipe, the taste varies as well. For example, the wine at Zizhong Inn tastes sweet, while the wine at Liu Wenzeng's house is richer and more full-bodied.
The wine in Zizhong is not as meticulously stored in oak barrels like in France, but instead is kept in large jars used for pickling vegetables, lacking the pretentious aristocratic air and instead having more rustic charm. Paired with local dishes such as free-range chicken and琵琶meat (preserved pork), it is particularly enjoyable. Notably, the white wine in Zizhong is made from the grape seeds left over from red wine production and has an exceptionally strong flavor. According to locals, this year's wine is currently fermenting and is expected to be ready around the Spring Festival. The wine we drank was made five years ago and is said to have the best flavor.
I was curious and tasted the grapes used for making wine. They were small, deep purple, and very sweet.
TIPS
Transportation: Take a car from Deqin County along the Deqin-Weixi highway southward for 80 kilometers. Cross the Lancang River Bridge slowly, and you will arrive at Zizhong Village, which is nestled against mountains and facing water, with a serene environment.
Scenic Spots: Zizhong Catholic Church is located on the banks of the Lancang River in Yanmen Township, Deqin County, Yunnan Province. It covers about 10 acres with a total construction area of 1386 square meters. The church was originally built in the sixth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1867) and rebuilt in 1909. It is a perfect combination of Western architectural style with Tibetan, Han, Bai, and other ethnic architectural styles in China, with high historical and artistic value. The Zizhong Church has been well-preserved by the relevant departments of the local government. The church, side rooms, main gate, cellar, and vineyard are all intact. In 2006, the Zizhong Church was announced as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council.
Food and Accommodation: Most local farming households provide food and accommodation. We recommend Zizhong Inn and Liu Wenzeng's Home Inn. Be sure to try the free-range chicken soup, rice noodles, wine, and wild honey. Usually, the host will not actively offer wild honey to guests. As for souvenirs, of course, it’s the wine. A barrel costs 100 yuan, but transporting or mailing it is not convenient. If time allows, it's best to choose Sunday to visit Zizhong because you can see local villagers attending mass at the church. It is said that Christmas is even livelier when villagers gather at the church, and Santa Claus smiles as everyone dances local dances.
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