Qingxu Grapes

Grape was recorded as "putao" in The Rites of Zhou · Earth Ministry. Originating in the North Temperate Zone, grapes have a cultivation history nearly as long as human civilization. Grape cultivation in China stretches back more than 2,000 years.

Famous across the country, Qingxu grape is one of Shanxi’s time-honored traditional fruits. Local grape-growing tradition dates far back. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, Gengyang City of the State of Jin (present-day Qingxu) was well-known for its grapes and fine wine brewed from them. That explains the famous line written by Wang Han, a poet from Shanxi: With wine of grapes the cups of jade would glow at night. Liu Yuxi once wrote: I am a native of Jin; I grow grapes as if planting jade. Brewed into fine wine, it leaves drinkers craving more. Marco Polo from Italy documented: "Around Taiyuan there are numerous vineyards producing plenty of wine, which is transported and sold all over the province."

Qingxu lies in the Taiyuan Basin, on the southwestern outskirts of Taiyuan City. Mountain springs abound at the foothills, and the flatland boasts fertile soil. The terrain is high in the north and south and slopes down toward the southeast. The humid climate and abundant sunshine create ideal growing conditions for grapes. A poem describes the landscape: Green hills lie beyond the city, lakes nestle within the town,

Thousands of lotus blooms and willow trees abound.

Scenery of Lüliang is matchless everywhere,

Only Qingxu deserves a place in paintings.

Every golden autumn, the Yunmeng Mountain area is covered with trellises stretching endlessly, like countless unfolded green silk umbrellas blanketing the whole mountain region. Beneath the trellises, bunches of grapes glisten like strings of pearls, handfuls of agate and pieces of dripping jade, captivating every visitor. This poetic three-dimensional harvest scene is painted by the hardworking hands of local people in Qingxu.

Local residents have grown grapes generation after generation. Today vineyards spread across 50 villages in four townships along the mountain fringe: Qingyuan, Mayu, Dongyu and Niandi. There are more than 20 traditional native varieties, including Longyan (Dragon Eye), Black Chicken Heart, Ping'er, Milk Grape, Xiying Grape, White Agate, Black Agate, Purple Rose and White Chicken Heart. After the founding of New China, over 90 new varieties were successively introduced, bringing the total number up to more than 120.

Qingxu grapes feature bright colour, big berries with thin skin, high sugar content and sweet flavour. The Black Chicken Heart grape takes the shape of a chicken heart with dark purple skin. Its pale green flesh is tender and juicy with a sweet taste. It bears large bunches averaging about 500 grams, with tightly packed berries weighing 4.5 grams each. The sugar content stands at roughly 17 percent, and acid content at 1.5 percent. The Ping'er grape boasts outstanding quality. Its peel can be easily peeled off when ripe, and sliced flesh holds juice without dripping, making it premium raw material for distinctive dishes. The Dragon Eye grape grows vigorously and resists drought well. It produces conical bunches with dense berries that turn purplish red when fully ripe. The yellowish-green pulp is rich in sugar. Wine brewed from it can reach an alcohol content of 10 to 11.5 percent, so it is excellent for winemaking. In addition, it keeps well and can be stored until April of the next year under proper conditions.

Fresh grapes can be eaten raw, or processed into raisins, juice, jam and canned food. They are most widely used to brew all kinds of fruit wine, such as citron wine, dry wine, sweet wine, spirits and brandy. Jinbei Brand white wine produced here has won both ministerial and provincial high-quality awards, and claimed silver medals twice in national wine competitions. It is clear and transparent, with rich aroma, mild sweet-and-sour taste and a lasting aftertaste, selling well overseas.

Grapes contain 15–30 percent sugar, 6 percent protein, 11.3 percent carbohydrates, 12 percent calcium and 20 percent phosphorus, as well as Vitamin B1, B2 and Vitamin C. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, grapes can invigorate the stomach, promote fluid production and facilitate urination. They have certain curative effects on hepatitis, jaundice, rheumatism, morning sickness, chest and abdominal distension in pregnant women, and dysentery