Wine products from NW China's Ningxia gain int'l popularity

Chairman of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Baudouin Havaux shows a wine product from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in Brussels, Belgium, May 28, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years.

The four-day event has attracted over 1,100 domestic and international guests, featuring 14 activities such as a winery and wine exhibition, an innovation competition, and an art biennial.

Making its China debut in 2018 in Beijing, the CMB has this year brought together nearly 400 international judges and over 7,000 wine samples, including a record number of entries from China, according to CMB Chairman Baudouin Havaux.

"This event opens a new era for the global visibility of the Chinese wine industry," Havaux said.

He added that it is no coincidence the 32nd edition of the CMB is being held in Yinchuan, as it clearly reflects the growing strength of Chinese wine, especially that of Ningxia.

The region boasts a unique terroir for making top-class wine, with its prolonged sunshine and a cool, dry climate aiding the cultivation of grapes. After four decades of development, Ningxia has become China's largest wine-producing region. The eastern foot of Helan Mountain is widely regarded as a "golden zone" for grape growing and high-end wine production.

By the end of 2024, Ningxia had more than 600,000 mu (around 40,000 hectares) of wine grape plantations and an annual wine output of 140 million bottles. Its wines are exported to over 40 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

A sommelier samples a glass of wine during the 26th edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) in Aigle, Switzerland, May 5, 2019. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years.(Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

This photo taken on June 12, 2025 shows a workshop of Xige Estate in Qingtongxia City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Wine produced here has entered overseas markets including Japan, Singapore, Canada, Switzerland, Britain and others. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Du Juanjuan)

This photo taken on Aug. 21, 2018 shows a workshop of a wine estate of Dongfang Yuxing in Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. A wine product produced here won the grand gold medal of the 28th edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) in 2021. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

A winemaker from France (L) checks the quality of wine at a wine estate of Ho-Lan Soul in Yongning County, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 13, 2018. A wine product produced here won the grand gold medal of the 26th edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) in 2019. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years.(Xinhua/Zheng Wei)

A drone photo shows a wine grape plantation in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 4, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years.(Xinhua/Wang Peng)

A guest tastes a glass of wine from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region at ProWein 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germany, March 16, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Liu Xiang)

Chairman of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Baudouin Havaux shows his book "A journey to Ningxia and its wines" in Brussels, Belgium, May 28, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

A wine product from Ningxia is pictured during the 32nd edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 10, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years.(Xinhua/Du Juanjuan)

Chairman of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Baudouin Havaux checks bottles of wines at his office in Brussels, Belgium, May 28, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

A sommelier samples a glass of wine during the 32nd edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 10, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years.(Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 8, 2023 shows a view of a winery in Yongning County, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. A wine product produced here won the grand gold medal of the 31st edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) in 2024. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

This photo taken on June 10, 2025 shows a view at the 32nd edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Du Juanjuan)

The grand gold medal of the 2018 edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) is pictured in Brussels, Belgium, May 28, 2025. The 2018 edition of the CMB was held in Beijing, capital of China. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years.(Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

Wine samples are pictured during the 32nd edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 10, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Du Juanjuan)

Guests enjoy wine from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region at the Yu Garden Restaurant in Hamburg, Germany, on May 29, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

Workers transfer wine grapes at Xige Estate in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2021. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years.(Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Wine products (front) from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and a magazine that introduces the Yu Garden Restaurant are pictured at the Yu Garden Restaurant in Hamburg, Germany, on May 29, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years.(Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

Wine products from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region are pictured at the Yu Garden Restaurant in Hamburg, Germany, on May 29, 2025. The Fifth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo opened Monday in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) -- dubbed the "Wine Olympics" -- returning to China after seven years. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)