The China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications officially entered into force on March 1, 2021. It is China's first bilateral comprehensive and high-level agreement on the protection of geographical indications (GIs), and an important and practical outcome in the development of China-EU economic and trade relations in recent years.

We will continue to introduce to you the first batch of 100 Chinese GIs and 100 European GIs under the Agreement, to better protect and market them to meet the needs of consumers on both sides for a better life.

GI Episode 39: Wine in Helan Mountain East Region

Helan Mountain East Region is an officially recognized wine appellation of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

East Foothills of Helan Mountain in Ningxia is recognized as a golden area for wine grape production. The excellent natural endowment gives the wine a sweet, supple and balanced mouthfeel.

Located between 37 to 39 degrees north latitude, Helan Mountain East Region gets 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. The sandy soil in the Gobi Desert in this region is rich in minerals. Its high altitude (1,000–1,500 meters above sea level) also helps breed high-quality grapes. Annual precipitation does not exceed 200 mm. The perfect Yellow River irrigation system ensures that the water requirements of the vines are met. These conditions all contribute to the growth of high-quality wine grapes.

Over the past 30 years, Helan Mountain East Region has become the largest wine-producing region in China. The total area of vineyards in this region has reached 550,000 mu, accounting for one-third of the total area of vineyards in the country. This region produces more than 130 million bottles of wine per year, with a total value of over RMB 30 billion.

In July 2021, Ningxia National Open Development Comprehensive Pilot Zone for Grape and Wine Industry was established, the first one of its kind nationwide, which is expected to have an annual output value of RMB 100 billion in the next five years. Two months later, Carlos Vogeler, senior adviser of the Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO), gave a speech at the first China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo. He expressed his belief that Ningxia has the conditions to become a global wine tourism destination with great potential and announced the addition of Ningxia to be listed as a global wine tourism destination of the GWTO.

Thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders, the local industrial cluster of wine has grown remarkably with enhanced technological capability. The brand influence of Helan Mountain East Region as a wine appellation has also grown by leaps and bounds. To date, there are 57 highly rated wineries, accounting for more than half of the total wineries in the region. Thousands of wines from more than 60 wineries in the region have won top awards in international competitions. The wines produced here are exported to more than 40 countries and regions, including France, Germany, the United States, Belgium, and Canada. This region has become a window into China’s wine industry.

In May 2022, 36 wineries from the region are brought to the International Trade Fair for Wines and Spirits in Dusseldorf, Germany. At the opening ceremony of the trade fair, Helan Mountain East Region won the “Emerging Sustainable Production Area” prize, and 10 wine products from Helan Mountain East Region won the “Best Wine” and “Sustainable Wine” awards respectively.