“Frost” is a sign of cold weather and large temperature fluctuations between day and night; hence, this solar term—marked by a sudden drop in temperature and significant day-night temperature differences—is named “Frost Descent.” At this time, the autumnal atmosphere is waning, and the onset of winter is imminent. People who are not deeply versed in these matters are already beginning to gather at home. Du Mu once wrote: It's rare in this world to find someone who laughs openly. “Chrysanthemums must be arranged to adorn one’s head.” People cast aside the worries of the mundane world, gather around together to savor persimmons, enjoy crabs, and admire chrysanthemums, sharing in the joy of a bountiful harvest.

In addition, the Frost Descent is also an ideal time for nourishing the body. As the new winter approaches and the cold intensifies, people begin to consume more meat to boost their body’s warmth and nutrition in preparation for the colder weather. At hotpot tables, tender slices of meat are immersed in steaming broth, exuding an enticing aroma. At barbecue stalls, fragrant skewers of grilled meat sizzle over charcoal fires; the meat is succulent and juicy, and every bite bursts with rich juices and aromatic flavors that make your mouth water irresistibly.

At this moment, a glass of pure-grain soy sauce liquor paired with delicious meat dishes becomes the perfect choice for capturing the perfect temperature. As the soy sauce liquor pours into the glass, a delicate stream of liquid gently flows down, leaving behind a silky, continuous trail that exudes an intense aroma of soy sauce. The fine threads of liquor slowly glide along the rim of the glass, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene—almost as if showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of its brewing process and the profound passage of time.

Standard sauce-flavored liquors must undergo at least three years of aging in earthenware jars. Earthenware jars have excellent breathability, allowing oxygen from the air to enter the jar and interact with the liquor. Micro-oxygen circulation , causing the liquor inside the altar to “breathe,” thereby accelerating the maturation of the wine. Esterification Oxidation. It is precisely this unique “micro-oxygen” environment within the ceramic jar, combined with the “breathing” action of the liquor inside, that enables sauce-style liquor to continuously mature and age during storage—becoming more fragrant the longer it’s aged. Therefore, when selecting a high-quality sauce-style liquor, it becomes especially important to examine the distillery’s capacity for storing base spirits.

Huacheng Liquor Group is a sauce-aroma liquor distillery personally founded and directly passed down by the late Mr. Luo Qingzhong, known as the “Grandmaster of a Generation and Father of Sauce-Aroma Liquor.” The distillery has now accumulated 24 years of experience in sauce-aroma liquor production. Firmly committed to the ancestral teaching of Mr. Luo Qingzhong—“Rather than sell liquor for three years, let’s keep it stored in earthenware jars for eternity”—Huacheng Liquor Group stores each year’s newly brewed sauce-aroma liquor in its 20,000-square-meter wine cellar. Currently, this cellar also houses 10,000 tons of aged liquor, including approximately 4,000 tons of liquor that has been aged for up to thirty years. Every year’s new batch of sauce-aroma liquor is guaranteed to undergo at least three years of aging, allowing aldehydes and other compounds in the fresh liquor to mellow and mature. Sulfide Further evaporation makes the wine body smoother and more mellow. At the same time, alcohol molecules will interact with water molecules... Hydrogen bond The ingredients combine in a specific way, making the wine more palatable, reducing its spiciness, and enhancing its aromatic flavor.

“Three years of base liquor, plus blending with aged liquor”—this is the brewing legacy that Mr. Luo Qingzhong, the ‘Sauce Father,’ left to the Hua Cheng descendants. The reason is that newly brewed liquor aged for three years has a relatively high alcohol content, so it’s necessary to borrow from rich, mellow aged liquor—‘using liquor to harmonize with liquor.’ This not only helps the sauce wine achieve a smooth, delicate flavor but also ensures a consistent alcohol strength throughout. In this way, the aged and new liquors complement each other perfectly, creating a truly authentic bottle. Jade liquid and nectar 。

The lengthy brewing process of sauce-aroma liquor is inherently a long-term endeavor that cannot be accomplished overnight, placing immense demands on the brewer’s patience. Thus, before his passing, Mr. Luo Qingzhong, the “Sauce Father,” cautioned his younger colleagues: “If your heart is still not upright, then the liquor itself won’t truly be liquor.” Huacheng Winery has not only inherited Mr. Luo Qingzhong’s expertise in brewing sauce-aroma liquor but has also taken on the responsibility of carrying forward and safeguarding the brewing spirit of China’s older-generation Moutai artisans, leading the development of standardized quality within the sauce-aroma liquor industry.

Huacheng Liquor Industry (Group) Co., Ltd.

Looking back at this glass of pure-grain sauce wine, the amber-colored liquid dances gracefully in the glass, exuding a rich and intoxicating aroma. As the wine glides across your lips and teeth, you savor its deep, mellow fragrance—this moment feels like a glimpse into the heartfelt spirit of the older generation of Moutai artisans. Picking up a perfectly tender piece of meat, with one bite, the succulent, tender flesh melds seamlessly with the fragrant sauce wine, filling your mouth with an exquisite flavor that’s both captivating and deeply satisfying, nourishing both body and soul.

Su Shi in “ The Ode to the Rear Red Cliff The text reads: “As frost and dew have fallen, the leaves have all withered, and human shadows stretch across the ground. Looking up, one sees the bright moon—turning around, one finds joy in it, and sings in response to each other. Soon after, one sighs: ‘There are guests but no wine; there’s wine but no food! The moon is pale, the breeze is crisp—what a fine night this is!’” In Su Shi’s eyes, the Frost Descent is a moment deeply rooted in the mundane world. Fine wine and delicious food The comings and goings of guests—this, too, is the warmth and vitality of everyday life!