Grapes from Changyu's Xinjiang's vineyard have high sugar content as a result of ample sunshine and large day-night temperature differences. Ju Chuanjiang / China Daily

Editor's note: The first to introduce European grapes and winemaking techniques in China when it was founded in Yantai, Shandong province in 1892, Changyu Pioneer Wine Co is one of nation's top producers on par with European winemakers.

Li Jiming, chief master winemaker at Changyu, shares the secret of the company's success with China Daily:

Q: How do you view the role of a master winemaker - or enologist - at Changyu?

A: Enologists are the soul of a winery and cannot be replaced by even the most advanced equipment. Our company has a world-class team, including some from countries such as Canada, Australia and France. They are well experienced and work hard to ensure the best quality wine.

Every year Changyu sends its enologists to the world's leading wine companies and research institutions to learn the latest techniques and some globally renowned experts are invited to provide regular training.

Strict standards

Q: How does Changyu control the quality of its wines?

A: Changyu has strict management standards for both growing grapes and wine production.

Grapes are supplied from Changyu's own vineyards and contracted growers.

We have the same standard for both suppliers.

We provide contracted farmers with technical know-how and instructions. They also tend to sell us the best grapes because our prices are based on sugar content - prices for grapes that are rich in sugar are higher than the market stan dard.

At our own production sites, we use varied techniques for grapes from different areas.Every bottle of Changyu vintage is a perfect combination of first-class winemaking technique and scientific management.

The company has an infor mation track and quality control system for grape growing and wine production. Each bottle of high-end wine has an electronic tag so that customers can get more information on the wine - for example its production, storage and sales data.

Q: Changyu Jiebaina was rated as one of the world's top 30 wine brands at an international food and beverage show called Salon International de l'Alimentation (SIAL) in France in 2009. What led to this vintage receiving the award?

A: Changyu Jiebaina is a type of dry red wine created by our company in the 1930s. It is made of cabernet gernischt, a special type of grape particular to Yantai. Aging in barrels made from French oak for more than a year, it tastes soft with fragrances of black currant and oak.