G20 wines: What world leaders drank over dinner in China

Officials served up Chinese wine and local delicacies to the assembled G20 summit in Hangzhou.

China’s president, Xi Jinping, greeted world leaders at the G20 summit with a banquet of local cuisine and Chinese wines.

As reported on DecanterChina, a Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 and a Chardonnay 2012 from the Beijing-based Chateau Changyu AFIP Global were the wines paired with the traditional Hangzhou cuisine.

Hangzhou cuisine was served to world leaders. Credit: Changyu

‘Sweet and sour mandarin fish’ and ‘orange-flavoured crab meat’ were among the traditional Hangzhou dishes served at the banquet.

See the full menu below.

China has made a tradition of serving Chinese wines to international guests at state banquets.

President Xi was pictured on China’s CCTV proposing a toast to his guests with a glass of red wine.

Xi Jinping toasts world leaders at the G20 summit.

Red wine has a strong symbolic significance in China. Red is commonly associated with fortune and joy in the traditional Chinese culture.

Chateau Changyu AFIP Global was established in 2007 and is owned by Changyu, one of China’s largest wine producers.

Its wine have been used at several state dinners in China, including for president Obama’s visit from the US in 2009.

The G20 opening banquet menu

Salads
***
Pine mushroom Soup
Sweet and sour mandarin fish
Stir-fried shrimps with Longjing tea leaves
Orange-flavoured crab Meat
Hangzhou-style fillet steak
Braised vegetables
***
Pastries
Fruits and ice cream
Coffee and tea