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Shaoxing wine, also known as yellow rice wine, is an outstanding representative of Chinese rice wine. Shaoxing in Zhejiang province has a long history of brewing wine, which can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period (770-221BC).

Shaoxing wine brewing usually starts around Major Snow, the 21st solar term of the year, and ends on Start of Spring in the next year, the first solar term of the year. The fermentation period lasts more than 80 days.

Shaoxing is blessed with fertile land, a mild climate, ample sunshine and Jianhu Lake. The lake is a rich source of high-quality water, which is perfect for brewing wine. Wine producers in Shaoxing are mostly distributed around Jianhu Lake.

By 2004, there were more than 80 distilleries in Shaoxing, with total output of 264,000 tons of yellow rice wine, accounting for 14.7 percent of the national output.

In recent years, due to the long brewing cycle, high requirements for brewing water and other raw materials, complex technologies and experience, it has been difficult to expand the production of Shaoxing wine. Under the impact of the commercial tide, the traditional brewing technique of Shaoxing wine is in an endangered situation.

In 2006, the Shaoxing brewing technique was listed in the first batch of the national intangible cultural heritage list.