China has launched its own wine rating system that evaluates both imported and domestically-produced wines based on local tastes.
The system was officially announced in Shanghai on November 18 by China Alcoholic Drinks Association (CADA), the government body that oversees all alcoholic beverages, as well as China National Food Industry Association and the Chinese Society for Horticultural Science.
Wines will be evaluated according to their color, aroma, palate, and body, and the system is tuned to reflect the country’s culinary traditions and preferences, said Wang Qi, executive vice president of CADA.
A panel consisting of members from CADA and China Wine & Viticulture Technology Association will conduct the evaluations. Once a wine is judged, it will be given a score on a scale of 10 points, unlike foreign rating systems such as Robert Parker or James Halliday that are based on a 100-point scale.
The rating system is not yet mandatory but the CADA has hopes the majority of wines sold here will adopt it eventually.
[Photo via BBC]
