Chinese wine writer releases new book on wines of Tuscany

Chinese wine writer and educator Sophie Liu has released a new book in Chinese, focusing on one of Italy’s greatest wine regions.

The book, entitled Grandi Vini di Toscana: the Vines under Sunshine, is dedicated to the renowned Italian wine region of Tuscany. It begins with a brief introduction to Italian wines and a whole picture of Tuscan wine industry, followed by four chapters each exploring one of the four appellations in the region: Chianti Classico DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and Bolgheri DOC.

The author caught the brisk demand of knowledge of Italian wine among the Chinese wine-drinkers, and determined to bring in-depth understanding of Tuscan wine in a witty and entertaining way. The book covers a range of aspects from history and terroir of the region to the classic wines and the stories of their producers.

The book was launched at a recent press event in Chengdu, to coincide with the opening of the 88th China (Chengdu) Food and Drinks Fair.

‘I feel very honoured to receive positive feedback from the market,’ Liu told Chinese media. ‘I have always strongly believed in the development of Italian wine in the Chinese wine scene. It supported me in the last three years while traveling in Tuscany and creating the final work.’

Liu was awarded the ‘Eccellenze Italiane 2012’ prize by Gambero Rosoo for ‘being the first journalist in China to dedicate an entire volume to Italian wine’ and was named ‘Outstanding Italian Wine Contributor of the Year’ by Ente Vini - Enoteca Italiana’s China headquarters.

A WSET Advanced Certificate holder, Liu is also the author of Sophie’s World Top Winery Tour.

Italy is currently the fifth on the list of biggest wine imports into China.