Osmanthus winter winemaking

It is said that the winter solstice is as big as the year, and on that day, all places have their own special food, and the most ceremonial winter solstice food in old Suzhou is osmanthus winter wine. Winter liquor was originally called Dongyang liquor, because the days become longer after the winter solstice, so it got its name. Generally, a few days before the winter solstice, major wineries begin to produce wine, and the wine is packed in green plastic bottles similar to Sprite, which can be seen in roadside stores and supermarkets. As soon as the winter solstice is over, it will not be produced, and if you want to drink it, you will have to wait another year.

The alcohol content of osmanthus winter wine is only two to four degrees, not so much wine, but alcoholic beverages, it is nothing for alcoholics, but it is a seasonal drink that Suzhou men, women and children love to drink, only after drinking winter wine, the winter solstice is perfect. The body of winter wine is clear and golden, and the sweet glutinous rice flavor is mixed with a slight bitterness and osmanthus fragrance, which hits the taste buds, and it is very beautiful to drink alone or with meat dishes.

Now that online shopping is developed, after winter wine became popular on the Internet, the price was raised by merchants, and a small bottle of 500ml was sold for as much as forty or fifty yuan, which was ridiculously expensive. Locals in Suzhou said that as a cheap drink, the taste of winter wine is not amazing, and there is no need to pay a high price to start. Moreover, these winter wines with a shelf life of up to half a year are no longer seasonal delicacy, and even if they are bought, they will lose the fun of Suzhou people drinking in season.

Recommended stores

Yuan Dachang

Business district: Guanqian Street area

Price: 33 yuan

Phone: 0512-65226167

Business hours: 07:30-19:30

Address: No. 91, Gong Lane