Prestigious spirits event to boost Chinese city's bid for global industry leadership

Renhuai, a city in Guizhou province, known as the birthplace and primary production region for Moutai-flavor Baijiu, is set to host a prestigious international spirits selection event later this year, which will boost its bid to create a world-renowned industry cluster for the distinctive Chinese liquor, said organizers this week in Paris, France.

The 26th Spirits Selection event, one of the most stringent spirits-tasting competitions in the world, is due to take place in the Chinese city in September.

The event, organized by the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, an internationally recognized wine and spirits competition, brings together a panel of expert judges who blind-taste and assess entries based on their sensory characteristics and overall quality.

Whiskies, cognacs, brandies, rums, vodkas, gins, piscos, grappas, baijiu and tequila are among spirits evaluated and classified by a panel of expert tasters from many countries.

The announcement that Renhuai would host the event was made last September, and further details were revealed at an international press conference held on Monday in Paris.

Renhuai has a rich history of liquor brewing and a deep cultural heritage. In recent years, the city has focused on leveraging its strengths to build a world-class baijiu production region characterized by ecological sustainability, unique production processes, and a vibrant baijiu culture.

Currently, the Renhuai production region boasts approximately 1,000 baijiu enterprises, with 32 of them having an output value exceeding 1 billion yuan ($152 million). Additionally, Renhuai has been recognized as one of the world's top 10 major liquor production regions, placing it at the forefront of China's baijiu industry.

The 2024 Spirits Selection event will provide Renhuai with a platform to showcase its historical culture, production techniques, and the unique charm of Chinese Moutai-flavor baijiu to the world, according to a news release.

Officials from Renhuai attending the press conference, including Liu Jin, member of Renhuai Municipal Standing Committee and secretary of Party Working Committee of Renhuai Economic Development Zone, and Zhao Jiuyi, deputy mayor of Renhuai Municipal People's Government, said that through this event, the city aims to promote its Moutai-flavor baijiu globally and establish itself as a leading force in the industry.

They said hosting the 2024 Spirits Selection event aligns with the strategic plans outlined by the Guizhou Provincial Standing Committee and the Guizhou Provincial People's Government, to create a world-renowned Moutai-flavor baijiu industry cluster in Renhuai.

To achieve this, Renhuai has been focused on building six major systems that include core production region planning and protection, enterprise clusters, administration systems, quality standards, talent cultivation, and cultural expression.

These initiatives aim to solidify Renhuai's position as a prominent regional brand known for its robust ecological foundation and authoritative standard system.

As the preparations for the event continue, organizers said Renhuai is ready to welcome the international spirits community and share its rich heritage, exceptional production processes, and unparalleled baijiu culture.