Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine: A Taste of Tradition in Ninh Bình

One unique product reflecting the rich cultural legacy and traditional workmanship of Ninh Binh is Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine. Renowned for its unusual brewing technique and pleasant taste, it has grown to be a favourite beverage for many. Come discover the interesting trip of Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine and learn its secrets with MOTOGO Tours.

Introduction to Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine

Originating from Kim Son, Ninh Binh’s coastal area, Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine has been named for the “Top 10 Most Famous Specialty Wines in Vietnam”. Made from fresh well water, natural herbal yeast, and sticky rice following centuries-old techniques of local craft village, it is renowned for its great alcohol level and pure look.

Kim Son wine used to be kept in earthen jars sealed with dried banana leaves, providing a smooth and aromatic drinkable experience. Kim Son natives spread this special wine across Vietnam when they moved to different areas. Still reflecting Kim Son’s legacy and workmanship, today it is bottled and extensively marketed.

A legacy of tradition

Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine is a representation of the rich cultural legacy of Ninh Binh, handed down through the years, not only a beverage. So, it is must-try dishes in Ninh Binh. Based on centuries-old customs, this wine captures the commitment and workmanship of the nearby populations who have honed their brewing technique.

The origins of Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine

Ninh Binh only has one seaside district, Kim Son. It was made from land that was taken back from the sea and turned into farmland. Rich in natural resources including shellfish and sticky rice, this region has been ideal for farming and handcraft. With time, Kim Son’s richness motivated the residents to create rice wine-making, which finally became a proud local custom.

Though Lai Thanh Commune is the most well-known, famous wine-making villages including Phat Diem, Hoa Lac, and Ung Luat help to preserve this legacy. The great quality of Lai Thanh distinguishes it and makes the well-known Lai Thanh wine brand stand-out with this wine.

Historical significance in Vietnam’s culture

Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine captures the rich agricultural success history of Vietnam. Kim Son, together with Hai Hau (Nam Dinh) and Tien Hai (Thai Binh), became a symbol of farming creativity as one of the first areas to reach a rice production of 5 tons per hectare. Its flourishing wine-making history began with this output.

Apart from a beverage, the wine is a staple of Vietnamese cultural events. Often found at celebrations, family get-togethers, and ceremonies, it represents reverence and ties to ancient beliefs. This wine chronicles a community firmly anchored in legacy and pride via its history and ongoing appeal.

Unique brewing process

Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine’s making is a time-honored custom combining well chosen ingredients with sophisticated methods. Every stage—from fermentation to distillation— guarantees a distinctive taste that distinguishes every bottle.

Ingredients used

The sticky brown rice used to make Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine is hand-picked according to the season, whether it’s summer harvest (ruou chiem) or autumn harvest (ruou mua). The healthy outer bran layer of the rice improves taste.

One important element is traditional herbal yeast made by knowledgeable local households. Medicinal herbs included in this yeast help to encourage fermentation and provide a distinctive scent. Natural spring water from Kim Sơn is used in the brewing of the wine, therefore imparting to the resultant product a fresh and pure quality.

Fermentation techniques

Starting with sticky brown rice, soaked and steam-cooked to produce a fragrant rice basis, the fermenting starts The rice is crumbled with crushed herbal yeast once cool. Made by skilled residents, this yeast has medicinal herbs that improve taste and fermentation. To guarantee even fermenting, the rice is stacked into baskets lined with taro leaves.

Tucked under dry banana leaves, the baskets are carefully packed and left unbroken for seven days. The rice changes during this period into cơm mọng, a sweet and sour mush. The mash is moved to clay jars, combined with natural well water, and sealed for extra fermentation—which spans several more days—when liquid starts to develop at the bottom of the basket.

Cook the fermented mash in a big pot without a lid, then top with a wooden drum-like device. Above the drum is a slanted basin filled with cold water used to condense the alcohol vapor into liquid form. Rising, cools upon touching the basin, the vapor moves into a collecting tube. Clay is used meticulously to seal the mash such that no vapor leaks.

Maintaining the proper temperature is vital; low heat precludes total distillation, while too high heat runs the mash risk of burning and producing a bitter taste. Known as ruou dau, the first liquid gathered boasts the greatest alcohol percentage.

Later batches known as “ruou bao” and “ruou tam” are smaller. These are combined in exact ratios—a secret handed down through the years—to produce a flawlessly balanced taste. Every family’s blending technique, sometimes referred to as đấu rượu, determines the particular taste and quality of their wine.

Secret recipes passed down generations

Distillation calls both exact methods and tools. The alcohol vapor condenses into liquid using a cooling mechanism as the fermented mash cooks in a big pot covered in wood. The first yield is quite strong; successive batches are lighter.

To get their unique taste, each house combines these “first drip” and “later drip” wines in particular ratios. Called “dau ruou,” this blending procedure is a family secret that guarantees every bottle reflects generations of knowledge and customs.

Kim Son Ninh Binh wine price list

Kim Son’s wine is sold according to alcohol level; different strengths are denoted in separate categories. In particular, wine with an alcohol content of 40 to 45 degrees costs 50,000 VND per liter; wine with an alcohol content of 45 to 50 degrees costs 55,000 VND per liter. The price is 70,000 VND per liter (when ordered in advance) for wines with an alcohol concentration of 55 degrees or above.

Since these rates are determined based on labor and raw materials cost, they are really reasonable in comparison to the market. Available in volumes of 5 liters, 10 liters, 20 liters, and 50 liters, the fixed-volume containers for the completed product let consumers select based on their demand.

The benefits of Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine

Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine provides a spectrum of health and gastronomic advantages, not only a beverage. From boosting circulation to enhancing the tastes of food, its adaptability makes it a great addition to every house.

1. Cooking

Sticky Rice Wine is used to make many foods taste better, especially marinades and sauces. Its strong scent and high alcohol level tenderize meat, remove fishy smells from seafood, and accentuate the whole flavor of cooked cuisine.

2. Soak in herbal wine

Many times, traditional herbs and medicinal plants are infused using the wine as a foundation. Herbs soaked in Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine aid to extract helpful chemicals that support improved circulation, joint health, and general wellness.

3. Skin Care

Because wine has antibacterial qualities, it helps with skin care regimens. It offers a natural answer for good, shining skin since it helps to clear acne, brightens the complexion, and enhances skin texture.

4. Health Benefits

The wine is said in traditional medicine to cure colds, stomach problems, and joint aches. Its therapeutic qualities along with the fermenting process assist to boost general health and hasten the healing from common diseases.

Reputable places to buy Kim Son wine

There are various respectable stores in Ninh Binh where you might find the real flavor of Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine. These reliable stores provide premium goods highlighting the regional traditional workmanship.

1. Kim Son Local Wineries

Local vineyards in the Kim Son district itself are the most real and trustworthy sources to get Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine. For decades, these family-owned companies have been producing fresh brewed wine straight from the source. From mild to bolder varieties, and even samples before you buy, wines abound here.

2. Phat Diem Market

One of Kim Son’s most well-known local product markets, Phat Diem Market boasts Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine. Many of the little stores in this area carry wine from nearby growers, and it’s a terrific spot to get reasonably priced, newly bottled wine here. The market is a one-stop shop for tourists since it also presents various regional delicacies.

3. Lai Thanh Village

Long-standing Kim Son wine-making history of Lai Thanh Village is well-known. Visiting the town offers a chance to buy wine straight from the nearby producers, who have over many years refined the art of making sticky rice wine. To suit diverse tastes, the village stores provide a large selection of wine kinds and quantities.

4. Local Wine Stores in Ninh Binh City

The wine is carried by several respectable liquor establishments in Ninh Binh City. Usually carrying a range of local wines, including Kim Son, at several alcohol levels, these establishments are dependable. Purchasing bottled wine for a gift or personal consumption is a great place to start.

5. Ninh Binh Souvenir Shops

Many of the souvenir stores in Ninh Binh carry Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine, usually presented nicely for visitors want to carry a local specialty home. Located in important tourist destinations, especially around the Tam Coc and Trang An attractions, these stores provide a selection of wines ranging from traditional kinds to expensive choices.

Kim Son Sticky Rice Wine captures the rich legacy and unique workmanship of Ninh Binh. Enjoyed as a beverage, used in cooking, or included into medical treatments, it has a special taste and many advantages. Choosing wine helps you to connect with a centuries-old tradition of workmanship and cultural pride, not only with a sip.