The Quintessence of Nga Son Thanh Hoa Liquor and Secrets to Choosing Authentic Liquor

1. General introduction to Nga Son wine

1.1 Origin of Nga Son wine

When talking about the culinary highlights of the Thanh Hoa region, Nga Son wine is always present among the typical specialties not to be missed. This wine has affirmed its own position with outstanding quality and a unique flavor, preserved through generations.

Nga Son wine with natural clear color. (Source: Collected)

The land that produces the famous Nga Son wine is Nga Son district previously, now Nga Son commune. This place has long been known for its traditional handicraft wine-making with a history of hundreds of years. Communes in Nga Son such as Nga Thach commune, old Nga Dien still preserve meticulous wine-making methods, contributing to building the reputation for Nga Son wine and becoming a precious traditional heritage.

1.2 Outstanding Features

What creates the unique mark of Nga Son wine is its characteristic sticky rice aroma, indistinguishable from any other type of wine. Nga Son wine is made from fragrant, chewy golden flower sticky rice, combined with traditional yeast from local people, creating a unique flavor found nowhere else. When poured, the wine has a clear color, spreading the sweet aroma of new sticky rice, evoking a warm, familiar feeling. Taking a sip, the pungent taste on the tip of the tongue gradually turns into a sweet aftertaste, smooth, spreading throughout the throat. It is the balance between strength and smoothness, rich but not harsh, strong but not burning, that has made the reputation of “ Nga Son wine that makes you forget your way home”.

1.3 Role in Culture and Life

Not only a traditional drink, Nga Son wine is also an indispensable part of the spiritual and cultural life of the local people. On the Tet holiday feast table, during weddings, festivals, or family gatherings, a cup of fragrant sticky rice wine always appears as a symbol of connection and hospitality.

Nga Son wine is a famous brand in the Thanh region. (Source: Collected)

In many Nga Son villages, the craft of wine-making has become a traditional profession preserved through generations, not just for livelihood but also to preserve the soul of the homeland in every drop of wine. For the people of the Thanh region, Nga Son wine is not merely a drink, but the quintessence of heaven and earth, of golden glutinous rice grains and the skillful hands of local artisans, a flavor that captivates tourists and helps to deeply engrave the cultural identity of Nga Son in the hearts of every Thanh native.

2. Traditional Nga Son Wine-Making Process

2.1 Ingredient Selection

The ingredients that create the renowned flavor of Nga Son wine are very simple but must be carefully selected. The type of rice used is 'nep cai hoa vang' (golden flower glutinous rice) or fragrant glutinous rice, with plump, firm, and uniform grains, resulting in cooked rice with moderate stickiness, not mushy. The yeast is traditional leaf yeast, made by locals from many types of natural herbs, capable of creating a unique aroma and helping the wine ferment evenly, retaining a sweet aftertaste.

Glutinous rice is the main ingredient of Nga Son wine. (Source: Collected)

2.2 The steps of making wine

Rice after being washed clean is soaked in cold water for 4 to 6 hours so the grains swell evenly, then cooked. Cooked glutinous rice is scooped onto a tray, spread thinly and evenly to cool naturally, avoiding clumping. When the rice is still warm to the touch, but not too hot or too cold, the artisan will sprinkle yeast on top. The yeast is divided into two parts: sprinkle half evenly on the surface of the rice, then flip the bottom side up and sprinkle the remaining part so the yeast covers it completely, helping the fermentation process occur evenly.

The yeast-sprinkled rice is put into jars or earthenware pots, filling about 2/3 of the capacity, then sealed tightly for fermentation. After 3-4 days, the rice begins to emit a fragrant aroma and naturally releases the wine liquid. The fermentation process lasts about a week, by which time the rice has completely fermented, emitting a mild, strong aroma - at this point, it can be distilled.

 

Rice is undergoing fermentation. (Source: Collected)

During distillation, both the solids and the liquid are placed in a copper or clay pot to be cooked over low heat. The temperature must be controlled evenly so that the alcohol flows out slowly, appearing clear and having a strong aroma. The distiller only keeps the middle part of the alcohol, discarding the first run and last run to ensure smoothness, not harshness.

Secrets to smooth and long-lasting aromatic liquor

Nga Son liquor after distillation is not consumed immediately, but is aged in earthenware jars for 1-2 months for the flavors to settle, become softer, and more aromatic. During storage, the liquor continues to mature naturally, making it smooth to drink, without causing headaches, instead of being pungent, it is gently sweet. What makes the Nga Son liquor brand special is the entirely manual process, without added alcohol or chemicals, along with pure water sources and the coastal climate, which help the liquor retain its rich, clear, and long-lasting flavor - a culinary essence of the Thanh region that is hard to match anywhere else.

Price of Nga Son liquor and how to preserve it

Reference price

Currently, Nga Son sticky rice liquor is sold at a relatively stable price, depending on the alcohol content and cooking ingredients. Each type of liquor is distilled from broken sticky rice or white rice, fermented with Northern yeast and rice husks for about 10 days to create a rich, distinctive flavor. On average, Nga Son sticky rice liquor of 40° alcohol content costs about 65,000 VND/liter, 45° costs about 70,000 VND/liter. While the 50° type, which is stronger and more aromatic, costs about 85,000 VND/liter.

 

Nga Son glutinous rice wine with many flavor variations. (Source: Collected)

This price may fluctuate slightly depending on the time and production facility, but generally, Nga Son wine is still considered a high-quality specialty, reasonably priced, suitable for both daily use and as a luxurious gift.

3.2 How to preserve to maintain long-lasting flavor

To keep Nga Son wine always clear, smooth, and with its characteristic glutinous rice aroma, users should store it in a dry, cool place, avoiding direct sunlight. The wine should be stored in glass bottles, earthenware jars, or ceramic pots with tightly sealed lids, helping the "wine aging" process occur naturally, making the wine taste better the longer it is kept. Do not store the wine in poor-quality metal materials, as it can alter the taste and color. When stored properly, Nga Son wine can maintain its flavor stably for many years, even becoming more mellow and richer with age.

3.3. Notes when choosing to buy authentic Nga Son wine

Currently, many counterfeit or industrially produced wines impersonating Nga Son wine appear on the market, therefore, consumers should choose traditional wine-making establishments, specialty stores, or reputable distributors with clear labels and certifications. Authentic Nga Son wine is usually crystal clear, has a natural glutinous rice aroma, a pungent yet smooth taste, and does not cause a scratchy throat or headache after drinking. A simple way to identify it is that authentic wine, when aged, still retains its strong aroma, without becoming cloudy or losing its scent. Choosing the right authentic wine helps you fully enjoy the culinary essence of Nga Son and experience the rich flavors of the land and people of Thanh Hoa.

4. Suggestions for enjoying and buying as gifts

4.1 Enjoying authentic Nga Son wine

Nga Son wine is best enjoyed neat, sipping small mouthfuls to feel the smooth spiciness spread on the tip of the tongue, followed by a gentle sweetness in the throat. During family gatherings, holidays, or intimate meals with friends, a cup of Nga Son wine will make the atmosphere warmer and more complete.

Nga Son wine is distilled and packaged securely. (Source: Collected)

To make it more appealing, you can combine Nga Son wine with famous dishes from the Thanh region such as nem chua, eel salad, grilled chicken on hills. The spicy, pungent taste of the wine combined with the savory taste of the food creates a refined, rich blend, bringing a cozy feeling and full of local identity.

4.2 Buy as a Gift

More than just a drink, Nga Son wine is also considered a gift carrying the cultural and spiritual value of the Thanh region. The clear, subtly fragrant glutinous rice wine, bottled in exquisite ceramic jars or small pots, is very suitable for gifting during Tet, visiting relatives, friends, or partners. This gift not only shows exquisite taste, sincerity, and cultural understanding, but also conveys the giver's affection and the simple, warm flavors of home.

Each drop of Nga Son wine is a part of rural memories, a symbol of connection, wishes for health and luck. The recipient not only enjoys the wine but also feels the deep affection of the Thanh people through each warm sip.

To buy authentic Nga Son wine, ensuring quality and traditional flavor, visitors can go directly to Nga Son Wine Joint Stock Company, located at Hamlet 9, Nga Thang Commune, Thanh Hoa Province. Here, glutinous rice wine products are produced and bottled according to standard processes, ensuring both safety and preserving the characteristic flavor.

5. Combine with Tourism in Thanh Hoa

5.1 Nga Son

Coming to Nga Son, the homeland of the famous glutinous rice wine, visitors can witness firsthand the traditional wine-making process that has existed for generations. From selecting glutinous rice, fermenting, to distilling, until the clear, fragrant drops of wine are born. Besides the wine-making craft, Nga Son is also famous for its traditional sedge mat village, where skillful hands weave durable and beautiful mats. Or visitors can visit Han Son Pagoda, the ancient, sacred pagoda associated with the poem "Han Son Tu". This is a land harmoniously converging culture, traditional crafts, and local cuisine, leaving visitors with many unforgettable impressions.

5.2 Sam Son Beach

When mentioning Thanh Hoa, one cannot miss Sam Son Beach, the iconic destination of Central Vietnam's tourism. With its fine white sand, clear blue water, and vibrant atmosphere, this place is an ideal stop for those who want to relax and enjoy a lively seaside space.

 

Sun World Sam Son is a prominent destination in the coastal city of Sam Son. (Source: Collected)

Notably, visitors should not miss Sun World Sam Son, a leading entertainment and resort complex in the North Central region. Most prominent is the modern water park spanning 33.5 hectares, featuring over 30 thrilling modern games. Not just an entertainment spot, the park also impresses with its design inspired by the epic “De dat de nuoc” (Giving Birth to the Land, Giving Birth to Water) of the Muong people, combining cultural and artistic elements to create a space that is both vibrant and rich in Vietnamese identity.

5.3 Hai Tien Beach

About 20km from Thanh Hoa city center, Hai Tien Beach is the perfect choice for those who love peace, wildness, and romance. With a sandy shore over 12km long, clear blue sea, and rustling casuarina trees, this place offers a relaxing feeling, separate from the city's hustle and bustle.

 

Hai Tien Beach is an attractive destination in Thanh Hoa. (Source: Collected)

Tourists can swim in the sea, watch the sunrise, enjoy fresh seafood caught on the same day, or participate in rustic activities like pulling nets and boating with fishermen. Especially, dishes such as grilled squid, steamed round scad, sea shrimp grilled over charcoal combined with the pungent, smooth Nga Son glutinous rice wine will bring an unforgettable culinary experience.

Nga Son Wine is not just an ordinary drink, but also the crystallization of Thanh Hoa's culinary culture passed down through generations. Each clear, fragrant drop of wine is the result of meticulousness, skill, and the pride of this homeland. Don't forget to visit Thanh Hoa to experience this flavor and choose authentic bottles of wine for yourself as meaningful souvenirs!