Maotai, or Moutai (the latter spelling used by the producing company) (SSE: 600519), is undoubtedly the most famous Chinese liquor, or baijiu.

It is produced in a town called Maotai in Renhuai City (仁怀市) under the jurisdiction of the prefecture-level city of Zunyi, Guizhou Province in southwestern China. It is believed that the city of Maotai has a climate and vegetation that contributes to the taste of the drink. Maotai, which is classified as "sauce-flavoured" (酱香, jiangxiang) because it offers an exceptionally pure, mild and soy sauce-like fragrance which continues after it is consumed, is distilled from fermented sorghum and is now in different versions ranging from alcohol content of the standard 53% by volume to 35%.


                  HISTORY

Maotai is named after the town of the same name, near Zunyi in Renhuai, Guizhou province, where winemaking has a very long history. The Maotai today was born during the Qing Dynasty and the first won international acclaim to win a gold medal at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. In addition, Maotai has also been named a national liquor in 1951, two years after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Maotai also claimed two gold medals separately at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1985 and 1986.Maotai has won 14 international awards and 20 national awards from the Chinese revolution.

Maotai has been used on official occasions on holiday with heads of state and distinguished guests visiting China. It is the only alcoholic beverage presented as a gift by the official Chinese embassies in foreign countries and regions. He received exposure in China and abroad when Zhou Enlai used alcohol to entertain Richard Nixon during the state banquet for the USA presidential visit to China in 1972. It is one of China official banquet wine and pretends to be one of the three most famous liquors (with whisky and cognac).

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Maotai has become the first Chinese liquor to produce large-scale production with an annual production of 170 tonnes.In 2007, more than 6800 tons of Maotai were sold.

Maotai currently sells more than 200 tonnes of Maotai to more than 100 countries and regions around the world.

In 2006, reported a Maotai reported 5.3 billion yuan (about 688.3 million dollars) of sales volume, compared to about 4.2 billion yuan (about 538.46 million dollars) in 2005.

                 Market share

According to an article called "Pouring a Big One" displayed in the May 2008 edition of China Economic Review, Vin & Sprit (V & S) said that baijiu is the world's most popular spirit, with annual sales volume of 520 million 9 litres of cases compared to the vodka with 497 million litres of 9 cases.

In this article, Maotai is reported to rank second in terms of market share compared to other brands Baiju. The following is a list of baijiu brands with their market share.

* Wuliangye (五粮液) 45%
* Kweichew Maotai (贵州茅台) 30%
* Guojiao 1573 (国窖1573) or national Cave 1573 10%
* Shuijingfang (水井坊) 10%
* Other 5%

                   Prices

Starting from May 1, 2008, the price of 15, 30 and 50 years Maotai price rise following listed below:

* From 15 years Maotai - Price: HK $ 7,680 (~ USD $ 984)
* 30 years Maotai - Price: HK $ 13,880 (~ USD $ 1779)
* 50 years Maotai - Price: HK $ 19,800 (~ USD $ 2538)

                   News

In 2007, it was reported that pollution from 39 plants illegal alcohol on the Chishui River threatened water Maotai is done.

The September 24, 2007, it was reported that 2,500 bottles of fake Maotai has been seized and is considered the largest seizure of fake Maotai.