Wine has a close connection with culture in China, in both ancient and modern times.

Wine has a history as long as that of mankind. According to legend, the Chinese people began to make wine with grains seven thousand years ago and even earlier with animal milk.

Wine permeates into every field of life: law, philosophy, ethics, morality and social customs. Because most emperors and ministers in ancient China were fond of wine, it became a part of political life, playing an important role of moderation and destruction. A famous example is the story of how Emperor Taizu of Song deprived a military commander of his command by serving him wine.

Wine appealed to men of letters and many anecdotes about their drinking were handed down through generations. Wine also has close connection with social customs in China, where there are fifty-six nationalities, and drinking customs vary from nationality to nationality. For instance, the Mongolians will present three cups of wine to a guest and go on singing songs of wine until the guest finishes them.

So, in a sense, wine is both lubricant and adhesive of Chinese culture.