While wine made from grapes has been a staple of European cuisine for centuries, it has been curiously absent from the cuisines of Asia. The worldwide viticultural belt lies roughly between 30° - 50° north and south latitude, encompassing much of the U.S.A., central and southern Europe, most of the middle east, China and Japan; the southern belt includes only portions of Chile and Argentina, the southern tip of Africa, south Australia and New Zealand. So why don't we see wine from China, Japan, or the middle east?
The middle east has pulled up its stake in wine for religious reasons, despite the fact that winemaking originated there. Many of us who enjoy a glass of Syrah or Shiraz may be unaware that the grape is named for its place of supposed origin, Shiraz in Iran.
Chinese food is traditionally associated with tea, Japanese food with sake. But are these really the preferred beverages to accompany oriental cuisines? Not according to the Chinese, who have been making wine for more than 2,000 years.