Pairing wine with Chinese food can be challenging, particularly when it comes to bold red wines, as their tannins can clash with the vibrant flavours of Chinese cuisine.
With Chinese New Year approaching, Taylors Wines says it’s removed the guesswork out of pairing by recommending the perfect wine matches for Chinese dishes, to ensure a tasty Chinese New Year celebration.
Dumplings and dim sum
Dumplings are one of the most traditional dishes enjoyed during Chinese New Year.
Given the wide range of fillings and flavours that can be used for the delicious little morsels, it’s easy to see why they’re a firm favourite.
When pairing wine with dumplings, Taylors Wines says avoid heavy, tannic reds and pair with champagne or sparkling wine, which are quite neutral in flavour and as such are the perfect accompaniment for pairing with a wide range of dumpling and dim sum flavours.
Duck
One of the most popular meats enjoyed during Chinese New Year, duck is delightfully delectable when paired with lighter style reds such as pinot noir and Beaujolais.
Given its richer flavour and higher fat content, duck is one of the most versatile meats to pair with wine.
How the duck is prepared will most influence the preferred wine pairing.
Taylors Wines says for slow-cooked, fruity, or spicy duck dishes, pair with white wines or light, acidic reds.
For richer, more strongly flavoured duck dishes, pair with bolder reds that are higher in tannins.
If ever unsure, match the intensity of the wine with the intensity of the dish for the perfect pairing.
Duck also pairs beautifully with Gewürztraminer, which brings out the aromas and flavours of a variety of Chinese dishes.
Sweet and sour dishes
To balance the sour flavours, look for wines with high acidity or pair with fragrant and aromatic wines such as pinot gris, Riesling, or Grüner Veltliner.
For additional floral notes, rosé is a great pairing option.
Powerful dishes with sticky sauces
Glazed sticky ribs or crab in black bean sauce pair wonderfully with fruity red wines such as Malbec and Grenache.
These fruity red wines can get along greatly with hot and spicy Chinese cuisines such as Szechuan beef.
Earthy foods
For earthy foods, such as mushroom-based dishes, pair with earthy reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir or Tempranillo.
Seafood and chicken dishes
Seafood and chicken dishes are best paired with crisp white wines such as sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, or Riesling.
Umami rich meat dishes
Savoury (umami-rich) meat dishes cooked in sauces such as black bean, soy or Worcestershire, pair best with either a Bordeaux blend, merlot, shiraz, an aged chardonnay, or a full-bodied sparkling wine.
