Where to find Shaoxing Rice Wine

[sammy]

the last time i checked alko for sherry was quite a while ago.......at that time...when asked abt sherry...the lady's face went "??????????"...or i could have chose the wrong alko outlet to go to.

Sherry is not everyone's fav tipple here - I can't think why since it's so delicious, with or without tapas. There's nothing quite as appetizing as a glass of dry sherry. But yes it can be that the smallest Alko outlets do not stock any, since the heavy users probably steer clear of it (dry sherries aren't that good tasting if they're not served cold)

[carolinemaher]

I bought a litre bottle of shaoxing from recent England trip which only cost about EUR 5 from China town so I'm sorted for some time I find it a total drag that you can't buy even normal wine in the shops. The Finnish government must be raking it in with all the tax going from the Alko into their pockets!! But sherry is definitely the second best option.

[raamv]

The whine about the wine aint gonna make Alko to make the into the wine shops..
OTOH, the whine about the wintry weather might just make it quite a justification!!

[sammy]

The whine about the wine aint gonna make Alko to make the into the wine shops..

Erm, do you mean whining won't bring the rice wine to Alko...? Most certainly not, but if enough customers would express interest towards the stuff, just perhaps they might consider it? After all, it is largely a question of demand - and I'm sure that the crystal balls of those responsible for choosing stuff for the Alko selection are not very likely to spell "thou shalt import rice wine from China" by themselves...

- Phone our Customer Service on 020 711 711 or intl. +358 20 711 711 (weekdays 9–16)
- E-mail feedback@alko.fi (edit: <-- this address did not work just now so: palaute@alko.fi )
- Fax us on 020 711 5231 or intl. +358 20 711 5231
- Send a letter to Alko Inc., Customer Service, PO Box 33, FI-00181 HELSINKI, Finland

[raamv]

Yes Sammy, but how many do really go and make a Request for "getting" this stuff?
Only when there is Perceived demand, will an ordering manager in Alko take note of it, and try to find out what it is before putting their bets on it!!!

[sammy]

Yes Sammy, but how many do really go and make a Request for "getting" this stuff?
Only when there is Perceived demand, will an ordering manager in Alko take note of it, and try to find out what it is before putting their bets on it!!!

Yes, indeed... it's the old "someone else should do something" thing ...but the way I see it, writing to Alko and at least trying to make a positive suggestion is not much more troublesome on one's fingers than stating typing "alas, why is rice wine unavailable in Finland" on an internet forum...

...and just for your info, I already sent them a suggestion (using the palaute@alko.fi address as the feedback@alko.fi did not seem to work)

[carolinemaher]

Good idea about contacting Alko Sammy, like you say if there is enough demand you never know..

[hanj]

bravo to sammy for suggesting that...i'll do that as well...meanwhile i did find alternative to buying shaoxing wine.....brew your own rice wine.....

[CH]

I wrote last week, and got a nice reply today. It said that they unfortunately don't have Chinese rice wine in their selection, although they do have some non-Chinese rice wines like Sake. They don't have in this years plan to add it either, but the one responsible for planning their selection said that he/she will take it into consideration when planning next years selection. The only way to currently get Chinese rice wine is to make a special order, which is by the case. In addition to the retail price one has then to pay 40 euros per order, and it usually takes about 1-2 months, shorter if they already have a supplier.

So, I think it's a good idea to write and ask for it, so that they know there's a market for it. And in the meantime perhaps get a group together and make a special order?

[buldozr]

the last time i checked alko for sherry was quite a while ago.......at that time...when asked abt sherry...the lady's face went "??????????"...or i could have chose the wrong alko outlet to go to.

Same story with me, only I asked for plum wine.
I guess the closest place where it can be found is a supermarket in St. Petersburg or Vyborg.
Or maybe, Tallinn, or the duty free on a ferry.