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With a history of more than 2,500 years, Shaoxing Huangjiu (yellow wine) is known for its rich and mellow taste. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Three brands of Shaoxing Huangjiu, or Shaoxing yellow wine, won gold awards at the 2020 International Spirits Grand Challenge in Shandong province, local media reported on Oct 10.

The challenge was hosted by the China Food Association, and over 100 alcohol experts from home and aboard served as judges.

Gohi 28°, presented by Shaoxing Gohi Loudgor Co, earned first place among yellow wines and was named the "Eastern Whiskey" by judges.

"Unlike other yellow wines, every 500 grams of our product has been purified from 2,500 grams of aged hand-brewed yellow wine," said Wang Yaping, founder of the company.

Shaoxing Huangjiu was fermented from glutinous rice and wheat and has an amber hue. Depending on the degree of fermentation and age, the color varies from a very light gold to a deep chocolate brown. It is usually less than 20 percent alcohol by volume.

With a brewing history of more than 2,500 years, Huangjiu is believed to be one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in China. The earliest text records of the spirit date back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).

Just as Bordeaux is the land of wine in France, Shaoxing, an old water town an hour's drive southeast of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, is widely regarded as the home of yellow wine in China. Its local brewing techniques were listed as a State-level intangible cultural heritage item in 2006.