Tastes of France, California and osmanthus

[Photo provided to China Daily]

???Outgoing US Ambassador to China Max Baucus and his wife, Melodee Hanes, recently hosted a celebration of California wines at his residence. The California Wine Institute presented a wide array of vintages from across the state. Guests also enjoyed two food buffets prepared by California native chefs now based in China: Brad Turley of Goga and Hai in Shanghai, and Alan Wong of Hatsune, with restaurants in Shanghai and Beijing. One of many crowd favorites at the wine tables: the 2013 Zinfandel from A. Rafanelli Winery in Sonoma offered both freshness and an appealing gravity.

???Riding on the momentum of China's growing thirst of white wine, which is estimated to jump by 33 percent year-on-year in terms of imported wines, Australia's historical family-owned winemaker McWilliams signed up for the ProWine China in Shanghai this year with its award-winning moscato and other offerings. McWilliams, which is run by the sixth generation of the family, has recently received a five-red-star winery rating for the third consecutive year from the 2017 James Halliday Wine Companion, which is considered one of the most authoritative Australian wine guides. The company's wines are priced from 100 to about 500 yuan in China.

???'Tis the season for osmanthus, and entrepreneurs from Xi'an are taking this favorite flower of autumn with its fabulous flavor across China in an intriguing way: infused in a chardonnay-based blended wine. Available on line and at malls and department stores, Kuei-poo is refreshingly served on ice in an old-fashioned glass－or it can be combined with mint and soda for a festive twist on the classic mojito. One of the company founders is contributing seasonal artwork for labels celebrating holidays like Mid-Autumn festival and the Chinese New Year.

Contact the writers through xujunqian@chinadaily.com.cn