Shanxi University students Liang Xingxing and Hu Qiannan both won awards at Wuliangye National Alcohol-Tasting Competition held by the China Alcoholic Drinks Association, on Nov 17. Liang was crowned champion and Hu won runner-up at the ceremony.

Following a series of theoretical and practical examinations, the pair, from the Department of Food, Science and Engineering at Shanxi University, stood out among the 150 participants who had made it to the final.

The competition lasted nearly two months, involving more than 5,000 students from some 60 universities and institutions. All the 14 students from Shanxi University had successfully passed the preliminary stages of the competition and made it to the final.

The alcohol-tasting competition required participants to judge the type of odor and quality of the bai jiu (white spirit) within a limited period of time through smelling, observing and tasting.

Shanxi University student Liang Xingxing tests an alcoholic drink at the Wuliangye National Alcohol-Tasting Competition held by the China Alcoholic Drinks Association, on Nov 17. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

Hu Qiannan, the runner-up of the competition, tests a drink to determine its quality. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

Participants sit for the theoretical examination. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]