The Republic of China (Chinese 中華民國), known as Taiwan (臺灣) in East Asia with the capital Taipei, covers 36,179 km², 99% of which is the main island. Taiwan is separated from mainland China by the Formosa Strait in the Western Pacific. The term "Formosa" comes from the Portuguese and means "beautiful" island. From 1885, the name Taiwan (literally "terraced bay") became increasingly popular and is now the official name for the island.
From 1683 to 1895 and from 1945 to 1949, Taiwan was ruled from mainland China. From 1895 to 1945, Taiwan was one of the colonies of the Japanese Empire. After the defeat in the civil war against the Communist Party and the founding of the People's Republic of China on the mainland under the leadership of Mao Zedong (1893-1976), the government under Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975), elites and armed forces of the Republic of China withdrew to Taiwan. Taiwan is claimed by the People's Republic of China. Taiwan's legal status is disputed and only recognised by a few states.
Viticulture
A subtropical climate prevails in the northern part and a tropical climate in the south. The provinces of Changhua and Taichung in the central west of the island are ideal for agriculture and grape growing due to the fertile soil, warm climate and protection from typhoons. The oldest winery is "Domaine Shu Sheng", where grapes have been cultivated for five generations and later also winegrowing. Hung Shu-sheng was the first Taiwanese winegrower to plant the Black Queen and Golden Muscat varieties, which are ideally suited to the Taiwanese climate, in the 1950s.
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During the Japanese colonial period, Muscat Blanc was introduced in 1942 and was the first variety to be cultivated for wine production. In the early 1980s, the University of California attempted to establish viticulture with grape varieties. The varieties cultivated include Black Queen, Golden Muscat, Honey Red, Kyoho and Muscat Blanc. In 2021, the vineyards covered 5,033 hectares, most of which are used to produce table grapes.
There is a special relationship between alcohol consumption and quantity rather than quality. Beer and wine are often served with ice cubes, especially in summer. It is considered impolite to refuse an alcoholic glass at the usual social occasions. "Cheers" usually means "on ex"(Gānbēi) and anyone who does not join in is considered a spoilsport. The national drinks are kaoliang or gaoliang (a high-proof millet schnapps), rice wine, shaohsing (distilled from husked glutinous rice) and beer. More and more consumers are now taking a liking to grape wine. Drinking games played by so-called "drinking heroes", in which "Taiwan chuan" is played, are very popular. In this game, reminiscent of "rock, paper and scissors", the competitors have to guess how many fingers their opponent will stretch out in the next moment.
Map: © Goruma
Flag: by Sun Yat-sen, Public domain, Link
Coat of arms: by Sekisama, Public domain, Link
Domaine Shu Sheng: Taiwan Panorama
