[2] Today, Xifengjiu's national reputation is a little more subdued although it retains a high level of popularity in Shaanxi itself where 70% of its 50,000 tonne annual output is now sold.

After the grain has been fermented and distilled to produce and extract ethanol, the resulting spirit is aged in "jiu hai" (Chinese: 酒海; lit.

'sea of spirit'), rattan baskets lined with hardened hemp paper and cotton cloth, before being blended, proofed, bottled, and sold.

Over the centuries the wine became more associated with its source and by the time Pei Xingjian passed through Liulin as he guided the persian king-in-exile Narsieh back to Persia, the drink was known as "liulinjiu" after the town in which it was produced.

In the Song dynasty the poet Su Shi, while serving as a magistrate in Fengxiang wrote; "When the flowers are in bloom and the wine is sweet, one can drink without drunkenness.