Wine and Chinese culture

Wine drinking is well-liked by many people from diverse backgrounds and culture. However, different cultures have different habits and methods of drinking wine. Wine was produced through the fermenting of grain during the reign of Yu the Great in 2200BC. Chinese ancestors used wine as a celebration drink, offerings to their forefathers, and to toast with family and friends at a feast. Wine is an important feature in Chinese culture.

In ancient times, Chinese people and their wines were inseparable. The banquets of emperors and nobles always served wine. Nevertheless, drinking too much wine could lead to excessive revelry, loss of serenity, and is harmful to oneself and others. Therefore, those with a conscientious frame of mind spoke on the virtues of wine drinking and came up with teachings on self-restraint to help keep people sober most of the time.

There are many interesting anecdotes from Chinese wine-drinking culture. A Chinese person is very particular about craving for wine first while drinking before drinking to the fullest. Besides that, drinkers must have the stamina to be able to drink to the fullest yet retain the liquor. To liven the event, drinking is usually complimented with finger-games, or other games such as thinking up new songs, spontaneously composing poems, singing in unison, dancing, and so on.

It is possible to identify the cultural concepts and tenets of the Chinese people through the making and drinking of wine. Recently, imported wines have gained recognition in Taiwan. The range of wines is unbelievable and this has not only enriched the pleasure of drinking but also has made the wine-drinking culture of the Chinese people more colorful.