From the meticulous terroir selection to international acclaim, Longyu is taking the step forward.
THE DRAGON, a totem of the Chinese people, has long been a cultural symbol and emotional bond for the Chinese nation, as they proudly call themselves the descendants of the dragon. “Yu” means “to proclaim to the world.”
Longyu, as the premium strategic brand under Changyu, incarnates China’s ability to now produce world-class wines that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the world.
Longyu was born in the Helan Mountain East Foothills of Ningxia. The project began as early as 2006, with Changyu’s team exploring Jinshan, Yinchuan, and Qingtongxia. From experimental plantings across 82,600 acres of land, they eventually selected, over a period of 17 years, vineyard after vineyard, the 5,600 acres of the domaine. Longyu Winery officially opened in 2013.
Among the 5,600 acres of meticulously selected vineyards, the most representative is the Ganchengzi sub-region in Qingtongxia, Ningxia. During the flowering season, winds of levels 6 to 8 are common, and only 15% of the grape f lowers successfully set fruit. The resulting grapes have loose clusters, small berries, and thick skins, with highly concentrated flavours. To ensure even ripening and full berries, Longyu has innovated the “inclined horizontal dragon trellis” system, limiting the fruiting zone to the optimal 20 centimetres range for sunlight and heat.
The Longyu series: a unique expression of diverse styles
During our visit to Ningxia, we were guided by Longyu’s chief winemaker, Mr. Jiang Wenguang. We also had the privilege of tasting wines with Mr. Lenz Moser, a renowned Austrian winemaker and Changyu’s European distributor. Mr. Moser has played a key role in Longyu’s winemaking. He shared their core philosophy: “Since 2016, our winemaking philosophy has been ‘Innovate, don’t replicate!’ Minimal intervention, let the grapes speak.” This approach inspired the creation of Longyu’s “Black in White” Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc. The wine showcases the purity and maturity of the grapes in a truly original way.
Today, Longyu Winery produces a range of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc, Long 8 Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon Long 9, Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon Long 12, Longwu Shengping, and the flagship Guohong Longyu.
Grand Tasting
After tasting the entire Longyu series, the Bettane+Desseauve team unanimously praised the consistent quality across the board.
The standout “Black in White” Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc is particularly noteworthy. In response to global warming, Michel Bettane suggested that traditional red white blends could be a solution, and Longyu has taken the lead in China with this approach. Longyu offers two versions of this wine: one with brief micro-oxidation and another aged for 12 months in oak barrels. Compared to other red grape varieties used for white wines, Cabernet Sauvignon naturally carries the aromatic genes of Sauvignon Blanc, making it an excellent choice for white wine production.
During our visit, we had the chance to taste the 2024 vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc still undergoing less ageing. The wine displayed pure fruit aromas, a subtle creaminess, and great concentration, with an impressive balance. The 2023 vintage, with its micro-oxidised version, offered more tropical fruit notes and a vibrant freshness. The 2022 barrel-aged version showed a golden hue and rich aromas of melon, nectarine, kumquat, and toasted bread. Oak ageing added a touch of toffee. On the palate, it offered saline minerality, a hint of residual sugar, and a gentle woody bitterness. The oak was present but still in the process of fully integrating.
Auspicious red
During the tasting of Longyu’s Cabernet Sauvignon red wines, the 2022 vintage stood out. The wine opened with pure, intense aromas of plum and black cherry. Its ripeness was ideal, with added notes of spice and licorice. The concentration was impressive, balanced by refreshing acidity—a true display of Longyu’s skill. The Long 8 Blend 2021, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and aged with 30% new oak, was full-bodied and offered sweet biscuit notes. It paired beautifully with food. The Long 9 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 showed spicy, smoky aromas with a hint of clove. It blends freshness and sweetness in a style reminiscent of Bordeaux’s Left Bank.
The limited-edition Long 12, aged in 100% new oak, displayed mature fruit flavours, a solid structure, and notes of cocoa, caramel, and spice, with a hint of Havana tobacco and fine tannins, evoking the elegance of Pomerol.
The Longyu Shengping 2019 is a blend of five grape varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon in the lead. It reflects a classic Left Bank style. This wine needs time to reach its full potential. The Guohong Longyu 2020 is crafted only in outstanding vintages. It is aged for 24 months in barrels, then another 12 months in bottle.
The wine shows intense concentration and mature aromas, yet remarkably retains fresh fruitiness even five years later. It is clear that Guohong Longyu is like a rocket meticulously crafted by the winery, ready to soar to new heights when the time is right!
The name “Longyu” evokes the dragon, a symbol of China’s strength. With its exceptional quality and charm, the winery now stands proudly on the global wine stage. It signals to the world that Chinese wine has truly arrived.
