Taipei, May 8 (CNA) – Taiwan has secured a remarkable achievement at the “Concours Vinalies Internationales” in France, garnering a total of 10 medals, including two grand gold medals, five gold medals, and three silver medals, announced the Agriculture and Food Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday.
In an official statement, the agency revealed that Taiwanese rural wineries submitted 23 entries to the competition, achieving a remarkable success rate with 10 awards, surpassing the average with a rate of over 40 percent.
With 32 countries participating and a total of 2,927 entries this year, the competition maintained a high standard, with an overall award rate of 30 percent.
Of note are the accolades received by wines from the Wu-Feng Farmer’s Association Distillery in Taichung, with two wines earning grand gold medals and three others receiving gold and silver medals from the same distillery.
The agency emphasized that these award-winning products were crafted using locally sourced Yiquan fragrant rice (Tainung No. 71) from Wufeng. Renowned for its unique aroma and exceptional quality, this rice variety is highly favored for both culinary and winemaking purposes, playing a pivotal role in Taiwan’s brewing industry and expanding the rice’s diverse applications.
Additionally, three wines from the Puli Farmers’ Association Distillery clinched gold medals, while the Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association Winery in Nantou County and the Cang Jiu Winery in Yilan County received silver medals for their products.
The agency underscored the significance of rural wineries leveraging locally grown agricultural produce such as roses, passion fruit, strawberries, and jujubes to produce high-quality wines that have earned recognition both domestically and internationally.
Highlighting the diverse production methods employed in brewing, reprocessing, and distillation among the award-winning wines, the agency emphasized the adoption of international-level brewing techniques by domestic rural wineries.
As part of its strategy to enhance Taiwan’s agricultural development, the agency pledged to continue supporting rural wineries in upgrading their equipment, refining brewing techniques, and enhancing marketing strategies to elevate the quality and reputation of Taiwanese rural wines on the global stage.
