Comparison of Chinese and American wine culture

【Abstract】Wine which has a long history in human life and culture is not only a kind of objectively existing material but also a cultural symbol.In this thesis， it will focus on the comparison between Chinese and American wine culture.Four aspects will be included： the origin of wine； the various types of wine； the etiquette of wine drinking； the connection between wine culture and arts and humanities

【Key words】wine culture； origin； wine； etiquette； arts and humanities

Wine which has a long history in human life and culture is not only a kind of objectively existing material but also a cultural symbol.With the development of the technology and society， wine culture in China has formed widely different style compared with American wine culture.To know the differences between Chinese and American wine culture and its reflected cultural differences becomes more and more significant.

In this thesis， it will make a comparison between Chinese and American wine culture from four aspects： the origin of wine； the various types of wine； the etiquette of wine drinking； the connection between wine culture and the arts and humanities.

1.Differences in the origin of wine

To compare the connotation between Chinese and American wine culture， we

should start from the origin of wine.Chinese have always advocated the wine is made by men， while the west has always considered the wine is created by god.

In China， there are many legends about the origin of wine， but the most famous one is that Du Kang made wine.In the west， the most widely spread myth of wine origin is related to the god of wine Dionysus.He led a migratory life and imparted the technology of growing grapes and making wine.As the majority of Americans are of European descent， it is not difficult to explain or understand the fact that American wine culture expresses many overtly religious qualities.American wine culture has developed naturally “out of a religion-cultural heritage long grown in western history”.

2.Different types of wine

Traditionally and mostly Chinese wine is made from grain.Although China has a number of skills and techniques to make wine， the wine made with grain occupies an important position for the factors of farming culture and geographical conditions.The most popular wine in China can be classified into two types， namely yellow wine and white wine.Between the two types， white wine is more popular.It is common to see Chinese people drink white wine in every place， formal and informal situations.

American wine can generally be classified into four types， namely beer， cocktails， whiskey and grape wine.It is evident that the raw materials of American wine are diversified， such as grain and grapes.Now if you ask which the most representative wine in America is， the answer must be cocktails.As we all know， America is called “the melting pot” for its various immigrants and cocktails have represented the American national spirit for its diversification.

In the middle of 19th century， the massive production and sale of juice together with the invention of refrigerator greatly pushed forward the development of cocktails.Meanwhile， a large middle class population was emerging in America； along with the rise in wealth， they also had a lot of stress.With the effect of calming down the nervous system and the simple home-made process， cocktails have been extensive in American society since that period.

3.Differences in the etiquette of wine drinking

China possesses characteristic etiquette of wine drinking.Though the current Chinese etiquette of wine drinking has some changes and doesnt so demanding and strict as the ancient， it also has a set of rules.Chinese people are very finicky about toasting.In a Chinese banquet， the host will do the toast firstly and he should first drink off and show empty glass to the guests in order to show his respect.Then the guests propose toasts one by one.The younger should toast to the elder actively and the lower to the higher.In China， people also like to urge others to drink and they all want others to drink more， by doing this， they show their hospitality and warmth.Apparently， Chinese wine culture is “deeply influenced by the traditional culture of seniority pecking”.

By contrast， Americans will not act so enthusiastically and courteously when they drink wine at a banquet.They will not urge others to drink either.Americans just drink as much as they want.For these distinctive differences， there are several reasons.The rooted reason is that Americans advocate democracy and freedom.They are supposed to value individualism， while Chinese advocate collectivism.It is not weird to find Chinese extend their interpersonal relations and do business through wine drinking.Nevertheless， Americans tend to enjoy the different tastes of wine and they drink wine more for fun.

The big differences between Chinese and American wine drinking etiquette can actually be seen as the great differences in values and traditions.

4.The connection between wine culture and the arts and humanities

Wine is considered to be one of the most important sources of inspiration in literary and artistic creation in Chinese history.Many beautiful lines and words are created after drinking.The most famous poets Li Bai and Du Fu were both lifetime heavy drinkers in ancient China.

In America， wine also plays an important and highlighted role in its literature.In Hemingway and other writers works， the words throw off dense fumes of wine and elegant with the aroma of wine.Such as Hemingways master work “the sun also rises” and Malcolm Lowrys novel “under the volcano”.In recent years， American artists also have discovered and given distinctively American expression related to wine.

The differences between Chinese and American culture are actually the differences of Chinese and American Values and thinking ways.Chinese wine culture has been deeply influenced by the ancient rituals which are the inheritance of Confucianism； while American wine culture has been deeply influenced by the religion and individualism which is prevailing in the western countries.

It is really important for us to know more about wine culture between China and America.For one thing， we can avoid some embarrassments； for another thing， we can know the roots and values of different cultures.

参考文献：

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[2]Fuller， Robert C.Religion and Ritual in American Wine Culture[J].Journal of American Culture.1993.1.

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作者简介：刘迁，（1984.11—），男，学士，汉族，湖北荆州人，助教，研究方向：英语教育学，英语语言文化。