Funny I should encounter this piece as I was a guest at a Chinese themed party last month where the hosts recently returned from a month-long trip to China.

In an effort to "authenticate" the event, our hosts ordered "chinese" food along with Tsingsao beer and some Chinese wine. The beer was not the best tasting (think warm Bud), but it was FAR better than the wine.

"Bitter" is what comes to mind, and I cannot even begin to describe the aftertaste. 5 bottles were purchased and 3 remained unopened (we tried another bottle hoping the first one just went bad). Since then the bottles have been relegated to gag gift status--turning up at a recent wedding reception and going away party. I can only imagine where they'll turn up next!

So, pardon me if I don't jump on this bandwagon just yet. I'm not saying all Chinese wine is bad, but I'll wait a few years (or decades) before giving them some serious thought.