The Shaoxing Rice Wine Winter Brewing Festival is a traditional event in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China, which is held from the first day of October to the 15th day of October of the lunar calendar every year.
The opening ceremony was held in front of the company's administrative building. Before the ceremony begins, the brewers prepare all the necessary brewing materials and equipment. Many sacrificial offerings are placed at the ceremonial site.
Before the ceremony begins, the brewers perform a series of traditional rituals to pray for the smooth brewing process and the good quality of the rice wine. They first offered incense, candles, and wine to the shrine, and then began to clean the jars and brewing equipment. Next, they mix the glutinous rice and barley koji and put it in a jar, add a moderate amount of water, and finally sprinkle with yeast. The brewers take good care of the jar to ensure that the rice wine brewing process conforms to traditional techniques and standards. The entire vinification process usually takes several months, during which the jar is sealed to maintain a constant temperature and humidity.
At the opening ceremony, the chairman delivered a speech, wishing the winter brewing a smooth future, and then handed over the rake to the director of the brewing workshop. There are many rice wine lovers at home and abroad, and people can feel a strong traditional atmosphere. Dressed in traditional winemaking attire and holding wine glasses, the brewers pour and taste the wine to the people who participate in the ceremony.
The opening ceremony of the Shaoxing Rice Wine Winter Brewing Festival is an event full of ritual and celebratory atmosphere. Through this ceremony, people can not only understand the brewing process and traditional craftsmanship of rice wine, but also taste fresh rice wine and feel the rich Shaoxing culture.