One of China’s best-known winemakers is making something that fits her personality: bubbly Zhang Jing of Ningxia-based Helan Qingxue is working on her first batch of sparkling wine.

Zhang is using a mix of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes for her ‘traditional’ method sparkling wine.

Best-known for elegant Bordeaux-style blends, Zhang won some fame in the trade when Helan Qingxue was awarded an international medal at the 2011 Decanter awards.

But she has also worked widely with other grapes, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Marselan and Malbec. Last year, she tried her hand at basket press Pinot Noir.

The best-known sparkling wine in Ningxia is from Domaine Chandon, though we see a growing number of producers making pet-nat, including Lingering Clouds, Xiao Pu and Mountain Wave.

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