Baijiu is a source of cultural fascination in China, and distilleries are hoping to replicate this overseas. Cheng International, one of the biggest distributors and importers of baijiu, are taking this ball and running with it. As of July 2020, a four-part online masterclass aimed at the British alcohol trade will unfold over Zoom.

The course will be led by Qiqi Chen, the Managing Director of Cheng International, and the aim is simple. Chen is looking to educate western audiences about baijiu. This includes the baijiu production process, the history of baijiu, and its importance to Chinese culture – both contemporary and ancient.

Naturally, there is also a sales element at play. The masterclass is designed to show that baijiu can be a big seller within the European spirit trade. Lessons on concocting the perfect baijiu cocktail will also be provided, as will insights into pairing baijiu with the perfect meal. Samples will also be provided at a cost, of which £5 of every sale will be donated to The Drinks Trust.

If you are a part of the alcohol industry in the UK and would like to attend this masterclass, the first session is free for the initial 100 sign-ups. Point your browser to www.bomci.chengintl.co.uk to reserve your place. If you’re unavailable, don’t worry too much. You’ll find everything you could ever wish to know right here on www.baijiublog.com too.

Buy Baijiu Online

Cheng International Baijiu Masterclasses:

13th July: Introduction to baijiu – Free of charge to attend

20th July: Fenjiu baijiu with tutored tasting – participants to order samples at £25 or £35

27th July: Wuliangye baijiu with tutored tasting – participants to order samples at £25 or £35

3rd Aug: Baijiu culture – how to serve baijiu at the table, matched with food and in cocktails – Free of charge to attend.

In addition to the four-part series on Mondays specifically for the UK drinks trade, Cheng International will be running four baijiu lifestyle sessions for consumers on Saturdays 18th and 25th July, and 1st and 8th August at 3pm, focusing on baijiu cocktails presented by Enrico Gonzato of the Mezzanine Bar at The Stratford Hotel, and baijiu truffle making. Members of the UK drinks trade are, of course, welcome to join these sessions also.

Kweichow Moutai – VS – V.I.P Jiu 8

A bottle of V.I.P Jiu 8 together with a bottle of Moutai Flying Fairy was sent to a UK laboratory for analysis. The laboratory was a registered member of UKAS – The United Kingdom Accreditation Service that is recognised by the UK government when comparing products to internationally agreed standards.

The laboratory concluded that the two bottles were very different, with sample A (VIP Jiu 8) being considerably more complex than sample B (Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy). The laboratory also concluded that sample A (VIP Jiu 8) contains many more compounds with positive attributes than sample B (Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy). Further reading: VIP Jiu 8 Vs Moutai