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Best of Taiwan |
 Wine
drinking is well-liked by many people from diverse backgrounds and culture.
However, different cultures have different habits and methods of drinking
wine. Wine was produced through the fermenting of grain during the reign
of Yu the Great in 2200BC. Chinese ancestors used wine as a celebration
drink, offerings to their forefathers, and to toast with family and friends
at a feast. Wine is an important feature in Chinese culture.
 In
ancient times, Chinese people and their wines were inseparable. The banquets
of emperors and nobles always served wine. Nevertheless, drinking too
much wine could lead to excessive revelry, loss of serenity, and is harmful
to oneself and others. Therefore, those with a conscientious frame of
mind spoke on the virtues of wine drinking and came up with teachings
on self-restraint to help keep people sober most of the time.
There are many interesting
anecdotes from Chinese wine-drinking culture. A Chinese person is very
particular about craving for wine first while drinking before drinking
to the fullest. Besides that, drinkers must have the stamina to be able
to drink to the fullest yet retain the liquor. To liven the event, drinking
is usually complimented with finger-games, or other games such as thinking
up new songs, spontaneously composing poems, singing in unison, dancing,
and so on.
It is possible to
identify the cultural concepts and tenets of the Chinese people through
the making and drinking of wine. Recently, imported wines have gained
recognition in Taiwan. The range of wines is unbelievable and this has
not only enriched the pleasure of drinking but also has made the wine-drinking
culture of the Chinese people more colorful.
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