TAIYUAN, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- After retirement, Jean-Claude Berrouet, former chief winemaker of Chateau Petrus, a top French winery, continued his love for wine on the Loess Plateau in China.
In the low temperatures of nearly minus 10 degrees Celcius, Berrouet once again took his son Jean Francois to the Rongzi Winery in the northern Chinese city of Linfen, Shanxi Province, to evaluate and grade the red wine produced under his guidance.
"The quality of wine this year is better than ever, which is to Jean's credit," said Berrouet.
As an expert in growing grapes, Jean has been working hard to improve the soil condition in Xiangning County, which is administered by Linfen.
"Only good grapes can make high-grade wine," said Berrouet.
The planting area of Rongzi grapes is more than 330 hectares. "It is hard to find such a large vineyard in Bordeaux," said the winemaker.
Berrouet used to work in the top French winery Chateau Petrus for 47 years and produced 45 top wines of different years.
After retirement, his elder son Olivier took over his job in Chateau Petrus while his younger son Jean focused on grape cultivation.
In recognition of Berrouet's contribution, the Institute of Master of Wine awarded him the 2018 Winemaker's Winemaker Award.
When talking about his reasons for coming to China in 2010, Berrouet said he was eager to understand the way Chinese people eat and drink. "This may be what the Chinese call 'fate.'"
"Rongzi has advanced brewing equipment, and Xiangning has good soil and climate conditions to produce first-class wine," Berrouet said, adding that it is the only winery he has ever seen on the Loess Plateau where the soil is different from Bordeaux and can produce unique tastes of wine.
Berrouet has lived in France most of his time and guided the winemakers of Rongzi in the wining-making techniques through e-mails and telephones.
"Rongzi wine has entered the Michelin restaurants in Britain," said Zhang Wenquan, owner of Rongzi Winery, adding that "our products have also been highly recognized in Beijing, Guangdong and other places, with annual sales exceeding 100 million yuan (around 14.6 million U.S. dollars)."
Berrouet's cooperation with Rongzi will expire this year. He said he hoped to continue the good relationship with the winery, as well as with the hospitable people here.
"I am already over 70 years old. As long as my health permits, I will come here every year to taste and grade wine," said Berrouet. "Even if I cannot, my sons will continue my career in China."
