Chinesischer Wein zum Ausprobieren
Chinese Wine to Try – Featured at Restaurant Koya
Introducing Chinese Wines to Germany
Taibei Wu, owner of the Düsseldorf-based restaurant Koya, has begun offering a wide selection
of Chinese red and white wines, including a notable ice wine from China's oldest winery,
Changyu. However, importing these wines into Germany wasn't simple. A shipment of ice wine
labeled “Icewine Gold Diamond” was rejected by customs because the term “Eiswein” is legally
protected in Germany. Wu had to relabel the bottles and reimport them.
A Long Road to Wine Distribution
Wu represents Changyu across Europe. He studied in Germany, has lived there for over 20
years, and coincidentally became the brand’s European general distributor. He initially
preferred French and Italian wines until discovering Changyu wines over a decade ago. He was
surprised by their quality and eventually signed a distribution agreement after meeting the
company's CEO at the 2024 ProWein trade fair in Düsseldorf.
Wine Tasting and Cultural History at Koya
At Koya, guests can sample Chinese wines from a storage facility near the Lower Rhine. The
restaurant displays historical imagery of Changyu and the winemaking heritage in China,
including a picture of a famous Château in the Miyu district of Beijing, which houses a museum
about Chinese winemaking.
Changyu is over 135 years old and among China’s most prestigious wineries.
Grape Challenges and International Recognition
Originally, European vines didn’t thrive well in Chinese soil. The solution was to graft them onto
Chinese rootstock, creating unique hybrids. Since the 1950s, Chen Puxian and his wife led
Changyu for 40 years. Today, Changyu produces a wide range of varietals (Riesling, Chardonnay,
Cabernet, Merlot) – all available at Koya, many by the glass.
To encourage tasting, guests receive a free bottle with an order of Peking duck. Several wines
have won international awards, including Koya Brandy XO, which Wu is especially proud of and
even named his restaurant after.
