However, Hakka farmers from Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli came to this area and worked hard to turn the wasteland into fertile farmland. They initially planted sugar cane and rice in the early days, and later planted the ponkan, orange and other fruits. In 1965, by chance, the farmers in Erlin started to plant wine grapes, and the golden age of long-term contracts to sell to the Monopoly Bureau began.
(Image: Hakka TV)
Nevertheless, after Taiwan joined the WTO in 2002, the Monopoly Bureau no longer purchased the grapes from Erlin, and the area of vineyards rapidly shrank. Such a crisis left grape farmers at a loss as to what to do next. Fortunately, after the government began allowing people to establish private wineries, farmers began to make a living on their own. By studying winemaking technology and improving marketing channels, they have gradually demonstrated their own characteristics and have given birth to the wine industry in Erlin today. Nowadays, Changhua County’s Erlin has the highest density of wineries in Taiwan, with more than 20 wineries.
The areas suitable for growing wine grapes in the northern hemisphere are mostly located between 30 degrees and 50 degrees north latitude. Taiwan is located at about 23 degrees north latitude. The sunshine and climate here are not suitable for growing wine grapes. Taiwan's wine grapes are not the mainstream variety in the international wine world. In addition, the geology and climate seem to be unfavorable for the development of the wine industry. However, these disadvantages have created the uniqueness of Taiwanese wine.
(Image: Hakka TV)
Take the red wine made from the grapes grown locally in Erlin as an example. This kind of grapes is sour, and they are easily recognizable by taste. This kind of "Taiwan sour taste" impresses many foreign tasters because it cannot be brewed in other parts of the world. The special acidity has the smell of plum, which exudes a unique fragrance belonging to Taiwan.
Behind the wines of Erlin are a group of Hakka farmers full of indomitable spirit. Unafraid of hardships, they have cultivated wasteland to grow grapes and overcome difficulties to establish wineries, creating their own brands and developing Taiwan’s distinctive wine industry.