Chinese New Year 01 February 2022
Those born in the year of the tiger display qualities of leadership and respect. They are courageous, assertive and prone to taking risks.
Choosing wine to compliment Chinese food can feel a bit of a risk which is probably why so many drink Asian and Oriental beer.
Here’s our guide to finding something that’s not going to overpower the flavours of different meat, chicken, duck, fish and vegetarian dishes
Beef and Broccoli – the soy sauce, ginger and sesame oil complimenting the beef in this dish can take a more robust red such as Fincadel Alta Malbec 2021 from Argentina which has aromas of red cherries and blackberries and works really well with the rich flavours
Kung Pao Chicken - this spicy stir fry dish with peanuts, ginger, garlic and chilli can compliment a slightly aromatic but still fairly dry wine – try Domane Wachau Riesling Federspiel 2019
Peking Duck – The high-fat richness of this crispy roasted duck dish, coupled with the fruity, spicy hoisin sauce and spring onion pancakes, requires something to cut through the fatty richness and the fruitiness and acidity in a Gamay from Beaujolais is perfect. Try Domainede Roche Guillon Fleurie 2019
Seafood dishes – Steamed garlic prawns, Calamari with chilli, garlic and spring onions, Soft shell crab with garlic, salt and pepper–all work really well with Vinho Verde. This fresh, dry, and slightly aromatic Portuguese ‘green wine’ has a slight tingle which enhances the flavours in these more delicately spiced and fragranced dishes. Try Casa deCompostela Vinho Verde DOC 2019
Stir fried vegetable and Tofu dishes – particularly stir fries that incorporate peppers, asparagus and mange tout. These fresh, and delicately flavoured dishes are often cooked al dente to retain some crunch and texture to the vegetables and work so well with New Zealand Sauvignon with its characteristic fresh, slightly acidic, citrus and asparagus notes. Try AotearoaSauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2021
If you’re venturing out to celebrate Chinese New Year, be like the tiger and have the courage to be adventurous and try our recommendations and don't forget to let us know your experiences in the comments below :)
