Shaoxing wine (Shaoxing huang jiu)

Shaoxing is a type of Chinese rice wine produced in the eponymous city in the Zhejiang province. It is made from brown glutinous rice, and it is typically aged for decades. Although the name is mainly associated with cooking, authentic Shaoxing is also commonly enjoyed as a drink.

It is a clear, amber-colored wine with a mild and mellow flavor, nutty aroma, and a warming finish. The alcohol content is typically around 18% ABV. Shaoxing is usually used as a flavoring in fillings, marinades, and stir-fries, but it also works well in sauces or braised dishes.

Authentic Shaoxing is generally of very good quality, but the original version should not be confused with inferior quality varieties often labeled as Shaoxing cooking wine. These versions don’t share any similarities with the original. They often contain salt and can be artificially flavored.