Shandong's New Frontiers
Shandong & Mystic Island Winery
Muping District, Yantai, Shandong, China
Photo courtesy of Jeff He
Shandong; China
Many would have heard the place Shandong but not quite know its origin. Few would know its the 2nd most populous province in China and the 6th most populous place in the world! Located in north eastern China and facing the Yellow Sea, Shandong was a strategic location from the early times of the middle kingdom and remains so in this present day. You would be further amazed when you hear its history and heritage. To concise nearly 4000 years into quick reading, we list some of the more significant events and feature one of its more recent brands.
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Highlights of Shandong
Mount Tai is the highest point at 5,100 ft / 1,545m and is the most revered mountain of Taoism.
Qufu, a city in the south, is the birthplace of Confucius on 28 September 551 BC
Shandong's population is about 102 million as of 2021.
There are 17 cities with Jinan as the capital and better known cities include Qingdao, Yantai and Weihai.
QiLu, was its name during 770-476 BC as it was home to Qi State in the north and Lu State in the south.
Buddhism landed in Shandong in 412 AD when Monk Fa-Hsien edited and translated the scriptures following his return from India.
Germany took control of Jiaozhou Bay and its port of Qingdao from 1898.
Japan took over Germany's control of Jiaozhou and Qingdao in 1919 under the The Treaty of Versailles following the end of WW 1.
It has some of the most fossil findings in the world including the 7,600 dinosaur bones including Tyrannosaurus and Ankylosaurus remains in 2008.
44 Shandong companies including Tsingtao (beer), Haier, Shandong Airlines, Hisense, made it to China's top 500 in 2017.
It is China's biggest agricultural exporter of vegetables, fruits, wheat, cotton, garlic, deerskin, sorghum and maize.
Its top natural resources include diamonds, gold, sapphire, petroleum and bromine.
It is a major center in China for Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.
Wine production is the second largest industry in Shandong after agriculture.
Shandong is China's largest wine producing province contributing about 40% of the country's wines.
There are about 200 vineyards in China and over 140 are located in the Shandong province.
Mystic Island Winery in Penglai, Yantai
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Penglai District of Yantai City
The Penglai district, located on the top coast of the Shandong peninsula, is a top domestic tourist destination, more popular than its wines, but that is only because of characters like Qin Shi Huan; the founder of Qin Dynasty and also the first emperor of united China, Confucius and many other Chinese legends like the Eight Immortals. Penglai itself is one of the 3 magical mountains in Chinese Mythology of the Bohai Sea, the other two being Yingzhow and Fangzhang.
The Water Fortress in Penglai, is one of China's oldest military post, built during the Ming Dynasty in 1376 and houses a fleet of war junks now protected as a historical monument. The Penglai Pavilion is a large park of ancient buildings, palaces and temples, either restored or rebuilt as part of tourism conservation because this site features inscriptions from famous poets and calligraphers like Su Shi and Dong Qichang. Penglai also has the largest ocean aquarium in Asia which includes a polar area, a shark hall, a tropical rainforest, and a theater with mermaids, dolphins and sea lions. Festivals and celebrations take place throughout the year around history events, cultural heritage and Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism traditions.
The Wines from Penglai District
Behind tourism, the progress of vineyards and wineries have stunned the world as they learn to master the growing master the growing of grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling and Chardonnay. From just serving the domestic market in the beginning to qualities good for export now. Many of these vineyards have reached 20 years of age considered the golden period for grapes and achieved an average of above 20% in sugar content. Of particular mention is the Cabernet grape which is being produced in good color and fragrance. These successes can be attributed to a rich land with good minerals, natural aerated soil, conducive climate, terrains that provide shelter from freezing winds in winter and rains from the sea in summer. The hills in Penglai are gentle in mainly sand and gravel layers, with criss-crossed ravines creating excellent natural drainage. Importantly there is willingness to learn from advance wine producing countries and deployment of technology to improve harvest and processing of the harvested grapes.
Goals & Aspirations
Mystic Island Winary started in 2008 and produced its first vintage in 2018. It might be a young winery but its achievements speak volumes the amount of dedication, hard work, in-depth understanding of the pedology and well planned processes from harvest to fermentation. Mystic started already with intentions to operate like a social enterprise, to have continuous reinvestment into the real estate and the farmers. It would be the only way to sustain in a mature industry very much dominated by western countries. To have business continuity means continued income for the local community. The awards won at various international wine blind tasting competitions is a testament to the dedication and committment.
Even the name Mystic Island was carefully chosen to reflect the destination's background and not just its wines. With centuries of history, legends, religions and traditions, a sense of mystery is always in the air and being surrounded by seas and lakes, it feels very much an island environment all around. This methodology is important because like tourism, the quality of wines is what the land produces with the efforts of local people.
How real are wine competitions?
Wine competitions are rather unique. Firstly it consists of a large pool of judges consisting of wine makers, writers, educators, , sommeliers, retailers, and so on, people who live and speak wines as their passion and profession. So a wine could be judge by a competitor and actually gain his vote. Each wine is judged independently on its own merits by color, aroma, clarity, taste, after-taste and quality. It is often called blind tasting because the origins and brands are unknown to the judges. It is an unbiased and unanimous judging method which is most fair for participants. Hundreds or thousands of wines are sampled at such competitions and if you wonder if the judges would get drunk and misjudge, the answer is no. They only smell and taste the wines and not swallow them. Those who get drunk and never seen as judges again.
Mystic Island Winery's Labels
International Award Winners
Limited bottles left!
Yihu Petit Verdot Dry Red
View AWARDS
Gold Award 2019
Gold Award 2021
Dry Red 2019
Gold Award 2019
Wine Type: Dry
Color: Purplish red.
Aroma: Intense blueberry and blackberry fruit aromas, mixed with lavender, violet, olive and spice aromas.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied, with medium tannins, ripe and elegant, with intense fruit and spice on the finish, with a persistent finish.
2019
Best with BBQ, smoked meats, spicy sausages, grilled meats with fresh herbs, fragrant cheeses.
Specs 750ml. 14% alcohol
Retail Price: SGD1260.00
2019
View AWARDS
Wine Type: Dry
Color: Bright lemon.
Aroma: Apple, lemon and floral aromas with hints of nutmeg.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied, with moderate and lively acidity, firm structure, a pronounced mineral saltiness, and a long, fresh finish.
Gold Award 2021
Gold Award 2021
Gold Award 2021
Best with chicken, seafood, salmon, salmon, halibut, pasta, Italian polenta.
Retail price: SGD260.00
Yihu Chardonnay Reserve Dry White
Specs 750ml. 12.0% alcohol
Yihu Dry Red
View AWARDS
2018
Wine Type: Dry
Color: Bright ruby ​​red.
Aroma: Intense blueberry, blackberry and other berry aromas, mixed with oak, tobacco and spice aromas.
Palate: Balanced body, firm tannins, medium-bodied with minerality, oak-aged for complexity and texture.
Gold Award 2020
Gold Award 2021
Dry 2018
Gold Award 2020
Best with roast meat, roast beef, stew, meat with sauce, roast chicken, roast duck, etc., hard cheese, nuts, etc.
Specs 750ml. 13.5% alcohol
Retail Price: SGD93.00
View AWARDS
Gold Award 2021
Quality Silver Award 2021
Gold Award 2021
Best with appetizers with fish, shrimp, seafood, platters of seasonal vegetables and cold dishes, pasta, risotto, etc., soft cheese.
Specs 750ml. 12.5% alcohol
Retail Price: SGD93.00
Yihu Chardonnary Dry White
2018
Wine Type: Dry
Color: Bright lemon yellow.
Aroma: Full of complex and pleasant fruit aromas such as white peach, white pear, citrus grapefruit and orange, accompanied by a touch of yeast.
Palate: Fresh and balanced acidity with minerality, lees contact and oak ageing, medium-textured, very expressive, with ageing potential.
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Tourism & Wines - Possibly the next frontiers
Tourism is an 'influential' business. It's a quiet engine that stimulates creation, trade, investment, consumption and even migration It ignites activities pre, during and post trips. Tourism and wines are also intertwined. Mystic Island Winery has already built villas for visitors to experience the tranquility of the Penglai hills and to savour its award winning wines with good food of course. Shandong and its cities are bound for further growth be it in tourism or its wines. Plan your visit to this mystical destination but until then, do try Mystic Island's wines as it makes its maiden entry into Singapore. You might just be booking your next flight to Jinan!