Chinese wine – with Ao Yun as its iconic centrepiece

Chinese wine has made a huge leap in quality in recent years, with Ao Yun as the leading figurehead of this development. This wine from the remote mountains of Yunnan is among the most exclusive wines in Asia and demonstrates the high level of Chinese viticulture. In a terraced landscape at extreme altitude and with entirely manual vine growing, Ao Yun produces powerful, elegant wines with depth, freshness, and unparalleled precision.

What is Ao Yun?

Ao Yun is an iconic Chinese wine produced by Moët Hennessy in the Shangri-La region of Yunnan. The vineyards lie between 2,200 and 2,600 meters in altitude, an exceptional location for viticulture, resulting in intense sunshine, wide temperature variations, and an almost Alpine freshness. Made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc , the wine is known for its deep structure, refined tannins, and long aging potential.

Origin and vineyards

While China has a growing wine industry, Yunnan – and specifically the Ao Yun project – is unique in style, terroir and approach .

Yunnan (Shangri-La) – the home of Ao Yun

• Vineyards at an altitude of 2200–2600 metres
• Dozens of small plots spread over four villages
• Intense sunlight and cool nights give tension and aromatic concentration
• Pebbles, slate and alluvial soils that provide structure and freshness

Ao Yun is grown entirely by hand by local village communities, as machinery is impossible on these terraces. This makes production small-scale, labor-intensive, and highly selective.

China as a wine country

China boasts other major wine regions like Ningxia and Shandong, but Ao Yun distinguishes itself through altitude, terroir, hand-cultivated vineyards, and an absolute focus on quality . While many regions focus on volume, Ao Yun operates at the micro-plot level, comparable to top-tier Bordeaux yields.

Styles and vinification

Ao Yun is the absolute benchmark for premium Chinese red wine.

Ao Yun (red wine)

• Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and sometimes Merlot or Syrah
• Inky colour, blackcurrant, cassis, graphite, violets and subtle spiciness
• Silky yet powerful tannins
• Finesse reminiscent of a combination of Bordeaux and high-altitude Andean terroir
• Perfect balance between ripeness and mountain freshness

Vinification

The grapes are fermented per plot.
• Small batch fermentation
• Maturation in top quality French oak
• Long barrel maturation followed by bottle rest
• Micro-vinification to preserve the character of each mini-plot

Ao Yun is not a Bordeaux imitation; it's a unique style created by extreme altitude, pure hand-crafting, and very low yields.

Storage and serving

Ao Yun has impressive ageing potential.
• Drink from 5–7 years after harvest
• Optimal maturation: 10–20 years
• Top years can be kept even longer

Serve at 16–18 degrees and decant young vintages well in advance to optimally develop the deep structure and aromatic layers.

Buy Ao Yun at Perfectewijn.nl

At Perfecte Wijn, you'll find Chinese wine, with Ao Yun as the absolute top selection. This wine represents the highest level of viticulture in Asia and combines intensity, freshness, and terroir precision. For wine lovers seeking to discover a new world-class wine, Ao Yun is a unique and rare experience.