TASTE Feel Enjoy: China's most successful wine icon is coming to Europe — a red-golden
fanfare from Ningxia: The M12 2021, the most successful "ICON" from Château Changyu
Moser XV, will be available in Europe starting autumn 2025. However, the edition is strictly
limited – only 3,000 bottles will reach Europe. Pre-orders are now possible.
Château Longyu & Winemaker Lenz M. Moser
The M12 is the flagship of the Longyu Estate, part of the Changyu Moser XV family – one of
China’s most ambitious wine projects. Austrian winemaker and visionary Lenz M. Moser is
responsible for the vinification and has been collaborating with Changyu in China for over 20
years. He is considered the longest-serving bridge builder between China and Europe in the
wine world.
What excites Moser particularly: The M12 – largely shaped by the Ningxia Wine Making Team
led by Mr. Jiang – has established itself as a trendsetter in the château's style. The world's
smallest Cabernet Sauvignon berries (due to the desert climate) give the wine a unique
character: pure Cabernet fruit, paired with fascinating finesse and elegance.
Their next big initiative, “Let the Berries Speak,” is already underway – a multi-year program
aimed at even better showcasing the pure typicity of the wine.
Together with M12 and “Purple Air Comes from the East” (PACE), Château Longyu – known
under this name in China but marketed as Changyu Moser XV in Europe – forms the
qualitative spearhead of Chinese viticulture: powerful, independent, and internationally
sophisticated.
An “ICON” from China
Château Longyu M12 2021 is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Marselan, grown at
around 1,100 meters altitude at the foot of the Helan Mountains in Ningxia. The Marselan
adds floral, spicy notes, while the Cabernet provides structure and depth. The soils –
composed of silt, sand, clay, and river gravel – provide ideal conditions for concentrated,
long-lived red wines.
Harvested manually in small 10-kilo boxes, the wine underwent traditional vinification. After
temperature-controlled fermentation at 25–30°C, it was aged for 24 months in new French
oak barrels, giving it elegant roasted notes, complex tannins, and great aging potential.
Moser and Mr. Jiang are especially passionate about the uniqueness of their wines. Their
shared goal: to unite region, varietal, and philosophy into an authentic, regionally typical top
wine.
A Record-Breaking Bestseller
Over the past few years, the M12 has become a top seller in China – with 130,000 bottles
produced and sold annually, a figure comparable to major Bordeaux châteaux. That makes
M12 by far China’s best-selling icon wine, a good reason to now make it accessible to
European wine lovers.
When a Chinese wine is blind tasted by a top-class jury (ten high-ranking Masters of Wine)
alongside Château Lafite Rothschild 2021, Penfolds Grange 2020, and Opus One 2021 at
ProWein, and earns the same score as Château Lafite Rothschild, it makes waves in the
European wine scene. This is exactly what Château Longyu M12 2021 achieved in a panel
tasting organized by The Drinks Business.
Sensory & Style
In the glass, M12 presents itself in deep ruby red with violet highlights. Its bouquet is rich and
complex: cherries, plums, cassis, and raspberries, accompanied by mocha, spices, tobacco,
vanilla, and fine cedarwood. On the palate, it’s elegant yet powerful and dense, with a silky
tannin structure, balanced acidity, deep core, and impressive length.
Château Longyu M12 2021 will be available in Europe from autumn 2025, in a limited edition
of just 3,000 bottles.
Retail Price: €260
About Nikos-Weinwelten:
Nikos-Weinwelten is a German online platform dedicated to wine journalism, gourmet
culture, and premium lifestyle reporting. It features expert insights, news, and reviews about
international wines, winemakers, and culinary trends. Founded by sommelier and journalist
Nikos Tzermias, the site is known for its in-depth articles and focus on fine dining and luxury
experiences.
``Discovering Chinese Wines – A Promising Rise‘‘
About World Connect Business IBS / Repaire de Bacchus:
World Connect Business IBS / Repaire de Bacchus is a French business and lifestyle magazine
with an international focus. It combines coverage of global trade, luxury industries, and
emerging markets with themes related to wine, gastronomy, and refined living. The magazine
targets professionals in the wine and hospitality sectors as well as discerning enthusiasts.
Chinese wines, long absent and little known on the international stage, are now experiencing
a remarkable rise. This trend reflects the deep-rooted passion of this millennia-old nation for
the culinary arts. Thanks to a rich history, regional diversity, and ongoing investments in
technology and training, this blossoming industry now offers wine enthusiasts around the
world new frontiers to explore.
History and Evolution
Although wine culture in China dates back over 2,000 years, it is only recently that the wine
industry has seen significant development. Historically, wine was reserved for nobility and
elites. Today, wine has become democratized and China is now asserting itself as one of the
world's largest wine producers.
Wine Regions
Ningxia, Xinjiang, Hebei, and Shandong are China’s main wine-producing regions. Each region
has distinct climates and soils favorable to the cultivation of a wide variety of grape types,
leading to a rich diversity of wine styles and flavors.
Grapes and Styles
Chinese producers blend international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
and Chardonnay with local varieties like Cabernet Gernischt. This diversity allows for the
development of unique aromatic profiles that are both atypical and distinctive.
International Recognition, Challenges, and Opportunities
Garnering prestigious awards in competitions like the Decanter World Wine Awards and the
International Wine Challenge, producers continue to improve wine quality and authenticity.
These accolades boost confidence among professionals and consumers and open up
commercial opportunities both in China and globally.
Wine and Food Pairing – Where to Taste
Imperial Treasure (France)
44 rue Bassano – 75008 Paris
www.imperialtreasure.com/france
Spotlight: Château Changyu Moser XV
Located in Yinchuan, Ningxia province, this estate opened in 2013 and bears the name of
Austrian winemaker Lenz Moser V. A €70 million investment led to a vineyard with 800
barrels. The flagship wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Company Ltd: The Pioneers
Founded in 1892 in Yantai, Shandong by a Chinese businessman in Singapore, Changyu is
China’s oldest wine company. Known originally as "Chang Bishi" (1840–1912), it remains a
market leader. Its brand, Changyu, was the first to bring European techniques and grape
varieties to China.
Today, Changyu is a giant in the global wine industry, exporting to over 30 countries. Its 2023
revenue exceeded €1.5 billion. Holding 25% of the Chinese wine market, it has eight major
production bases and partnerships with European châteaux.
Changyu’s investments in viticulture and winemaking technology are extensive. Its Ningxia
site, covering 400 hectares, is a benchmark in innovation, with a capacity of 50 million bottles
annually.
