Shaoxing Wine
绍兴酒
What Is Shaoxing Wine?
What Is Shaoxing Wine?
Shaoxing wine (绍兴酒, Shàoxīng jiǔ) is an amber-colored fermented rice wine from Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. Made from glutinous rice, wheat, and water from the local Jianhu Lake, it's aged for 3-5 years (or longer for premium versions) in clay pots. The result is a complex, slightly sweet cooking wine with nutty, caramel notes and a distinctive aroma that's instantly recognizable in Chinese cooking.
There are two types: cooking Shaoxing wine (料酒), which is salted to make it undrinkable (and therefore exempt from alcohol taxes — it's cheaper), and drinking Shaoxing wine (黄酒), which is unsalted and can be sipped warm like sake.
Taste & Flavor Profile
How to Use
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Best Substitutes
Can't find Shaoxing Wine? Here are the best alternatives, ranked by similarity.
The closest Western equivalent — similar nutty, slightly sweet flavor profile. Fino or Amontillado work best.
Sweeter than Shaoxing wine. Use half the amount and reduce other sweeteners in the recipe.
Missing the depth but provides the acidity needed for marinades.
Where to Buy
Available at most Asian grocery stores and online. Look for bright, aromatic specimens.