By Jim Boyce |Â Ever dream of making vino but found yourself thwarted by the lack of a vineyard, a winery, and oenological training? Then consider Sunday a reality check as Vineyard Wine Experience will hold its grand opening at 2:30 PM in Jianwai Soho.
Customers at VWE have 24 juice choices, ranging from Australian Shiraz to German Riesling to French Merlot to Californian White Zinfandel. The process starts with fermentation, ends with choosing a bottle shape and size, adding the corks, and designing the labels, and takes four to eight weeks depending on the grape chosen. Co-owner Ryan Hao says it is not only good for people interested in wine, but also for those looking for a unique wedding gift or a team-building exercise. A batch of wine costs about RMB3000 and results in 30 bottles.
Nicolas Carre and I visited on Tuesday and tried a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and an Australian Cabernet-Merlot made on the premises. We found both of them pleasant.
Tomorrow’s event allows prospective wine makers to check out the operation. VWE is in Jianwai Soho, on the third floor of tower 10, directly across from the building that houses Cafe Europa and down the hall from Time Cafe.
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