News Brief
By Fang Jingyi
The Red Yeast Wine brewing technique from Eshan She Ethnic Township, Tonglu of Hangzhou attracted global attention during the 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Chengdu, China in early June.
Red Yeast Rice Wine from this township is a cultural gem, with a brewing history of over 500 years. In 2012, its traditional brewing technique was recognized as a part of Zhejiang Province’s intangible cultural heritage.
Crafted from all-natural red yeast, glutinous rice, and spring water, the wine undergoes meticulous steps -- including soaking, steaming, and yeast mixing. Through a unique temperature-controled fermentation process, the wine develops a distinctive color: a vibrant red hue with a hint of green. Its refined taste and distinctive appearance have earned it a reputation as one of the finest examples of red yeast rice wine.
Known for its traditional health benefits -- the wine is believed to nourish the lungs, strengthen the spleen, stop excessive sweating, relax muscles, boost blood circulation, and ward off the cold -- it has long been cherished by the She ethnic people as a staple gift to guests and friends.