2023 Ningxia Riesling, Kanaan Winery

• Style: Bone-dry Riesling, mineral-driven
• Taste: Lime zest, green apple, white flowers, crisp acidity
• Food: Asian spices, seafood, shellfish, roasted chicken
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, plant-forward dining
• Serve: Chilled, 8–10°C

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Lime zest and green apple leap from the glass, framed by white-flower aromatics and a mineral spine. Bone-dry, with a lively acidity that keeps everything taut, this is a Riesling built on precision. The 2023 vintage survived brutal spring frosts that halved yields; what ripened emerged with remarkable intensity, shaped by the Helan Mountain foothills' extreme day-night temperature swings.

The Winery — Kanaan

Kanaan Winery, founded in 2011 by Fang Wang—nicknamed 'Crazy Fang' for her boldness in attempting Riesling on terrain everyone deemed impossible—sits in Ningxia's golden zone over 1,000 metres above sea level. The region's arid continental climate and minimal rainfall concentrate flavour without dilution. Whole-bunch pressing and cold-soak before fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel preserve the crisp, clean character that defines this vintage. At 14% ABV, it reflects the discipline of high-altitude viticulture in China's premier wine region.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is a wine built for the table. Pair it with spiced Asian dishes, ceviche, shellfish, or roasted chicken; its vegan and vegetarian status makes it a natural fit for plant-forward cooking. The bright acidity sings with lighter poultry and seafood, making it perfect for Sunday lunch or an intimate date night. If you've explored the grape elsewhere and want to see what happens when it lands in an unexpected place, this 90-point bottle from one of Ningxia's most daring producers is your invitation to discover why this corner of the world rewards close attention.