The AFA has been actively promoting the rural alcohol-making industry since 2002, leveraging local agricultural products to craft distinctive alcoholic beverages while preserving and celebrating local tourism and culture. Spanning regions such as Yilan County, Miaoli County, Taichung City, and Nantou County, a total of 10 wineries boasting natural and rural landscapes have successfully passed the Agency’s evaluation. To further stimulate the industry's growth, the AFA not only assists in enhancing producers’ facilities, knowledge, and alcohol-making processes but also guides them to participate in domestic and international alcohol competitions to elevate the exposure of quality alcohol products from Taiwan.
This year, a highly competitive field of 2,383 alcohol products from 57 countries entered the CMB competition. Following blind tasting sessions by 138 professional judges from 32 countries, 9 products from Taiwan emerged as winners, marking Taiwan's best performance since its first participation in the CMB in 2008. The accolades include 5 gold medals: Sweet Potatoes Shochu from the Daan Farmers’ Association Winery in Taichung City, A Moment of Slightly Drunk Plum Wine from Jin Yu Shan Winery in Nantou County, Pure Rice Sake Ginjo and DaiGinjo from Wu-Feng District Farmers' Association Winery in Taichung City, and Mild Water Plum Liqueur from Sinyi Township Farmers' Association Winery in Nanou County. Additionally, there were 4 silver medal winners: Winery Shochu Rice Spirit 38° from Wu-Feng District Farmers' Association Winery in Taichung City, Taro Shochu from the Daan Farmers’ Association Winery in Taichung City, May I Have Your Attention Please Mei Wine from Sinyi Township Farmers' Association Winery in Nantou County, and Plum Reserve Wine from Cang Jiu Winery in Yilan County.
Professor Chien-Hao Chen, from the Department of Food and Beverage Management at the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, served as the sole Taiwanese judge at the 2023 CMB. He expressed admiration for Taiwan's progress, spanning over roughly 20 years and beyond since the government opened alcohol production to the private sector. He highlighted the significant advancements in skills and technology among rural producers, attributing them to the collaborative efforts of the industry, government, academia, and research institutes. Utilizing unique local agricultural products, these producers have crafted products with distinctive aromas and tastes that have garnered attention and recognition from international professional judges. Chen eagerly anticipates more Taiwanese wines participating in future competitions and achieving even greater success.
As explained by the AFA, Taiwan-grown agricultural products such as aromatic rice, plums, strawberries, kumquats, grapes, taro, sweet potatoes, jujubes, passion fruits, roses, sugar cane, lychees, and five-leaf pine are used as ingredients for these rural alcohol makers’ products. With distinct styles and exceptional quality, each alcohol product tells a compelling story about local culture. The AFA warmly invites alcohol enthusiasts to explore their quality products, including the CMB winners, at the Pavilion of Rural Wineries during the 2023 Taipei International Wine and Spirits Festival, held from November 17 to 20 at Hall 1 of the Nangang Exhibition Center.
A friendly reminder from the AFA: Please refrain from drinking if you are under 18 years old, and kindly remember not to drink and drive.
