Wando Bipa Wine Wins Grand Prize at Traditional Liquor Competition

Manufactured Using Wando Bipa Agricultural Cooperative's Unique Method, Featuring a Subtle Aroma and Clean Aftertaste

Biwa Wine, which won the Grand Prize in the fruit wine category at the 2021 Namdo Traditional Liquor Competition (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] ‘Hwanggeumgwa Bipa Wine,’ made from loquats grown in Wando, Jeonnam, won the grand prize in the fruit wine category at the ‘2021 Namdo Traditional Liquor Competition’ held at the Jeonnam Food Industry Research Center.

According to Wando County on the 3rd, the competition was conducted as a blind test, with five expert judges including Park Rok-dam, director of the Korea Traditional Research Institute, evaluating 25 products from 16 companies based on sensory assessments such as taste, aroma, color, and aftertaste, as well as document reviews on the use of domestic agricultural products and liquor quality certification status.

As a result, one overall grand prize brand and 11 brands across five categories?takju (unfiltered rice wine), yak/cheongju (medicinal/clear rice wine), distilled liquor, fruit wine, and other liquors?were selected.

‘Hwanggeumgwa Bipa Wine,’ which won the grand prize in the fruit wine category, is made by juicing loquats and fermenting and aging them with yeast using Wando Bipa Agricultural Cooperative’s unique manufacturing method, resulting in a transparent and beautiful golden color.

Hwanggeumgwa Bipa Wine uses only loquats grown in Wando, characterized by a subtle aroma, rich umami flavor, and clean aftertaste.

Loquats are golden-colored subtropical wellness fruits harvested from April to June, known for their abundant juice and excellent taste and aroma, making them popular among consumers.

Kim Su-man, CEO of Wando Bipa Agricultural Cooperative, began producing wine alongside loquat farming in 2010 and has been continuously striving by aging wine and experimenting with new varieties.

Hwanggeumgwa Bipa Wine was born from loquats harvested with the best cultivation techniques combined with the passion of farmers, and it has proven its excellence by achieving outstanding results in various competitions and evaluations.

Notably, it was selected as the official banquet wine at the 2014 Wando International Seaweed Expo, won the grand prize in the fruit wine category at the 2015 Namdo Traditional Liquor Competition, and was chosen as the banquet wine for the closing ceremony of the 2019 Gwangju World Swimming Championships, certifying its taste and quality.

An official from the Agricultural Technology Center said, “The industrialization of traditional liquor not only promotes the consumption of local agricultural products but also increases added value,” adding, “We will do our best to foster high-quality traditional liquors preferred by consumers.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.