As the Year of the Dog arrives on Feb. 16, here are five wines that will pair beautifully with Asian dishes when celebrating Chinese New Year.
It’s almost a cliché that Gewurztraminer is the wine to choose with Asian cuisine And Tinhorn Creek’s 2016 Gewurztraminer ($16.99) is an excellent example from the Okanagan.
The Gewurz has an enchanting rose bouquet with a rich off-dry flavour of lychees, candied ginger, and honey, flavours you often find in Chinese food. When my wife sampled it, she exclaimed, “It’s like a symphony in my mouth!” Of course I agreed.
Another aromatic white that would work well with a Chinese meal is Cochini Masserie 2016 Fiano ($14.99) from the heel of the boot in Puglia, Italy
Pour a glass and it reveals an enchanting floral bouquet and a dry delicious flavour of quince (apple, pear and lime) and honey. Aromatic, flavourful and affordable!
From the north of Italy, I recommend the Monte del Fra 2014 Ca del Magro ($21.99). Like the other two whites, the Ca del Magro has the natural acid that refreshes your palate between the multiple courses of a Chinese feast.
Chinese cuisine is one of the finest in the world because of its complexity and the Ca del Magro with seven grape varieties makes an excellent match.
A floral bouquet greets your nose and a pear, almond and honeysuckle flavour envelops your palate from the Garganega, Trebbiano, Malvasia and other indigenous grapes. There’s also the crisp refreshing apple character from the Riesling, and the full body and buttery texture due to the Chardonnay.
Because red is the colour that pervades Chinese New Year and symbolizes happiness and good luck, here’s an affordable and delicious 2014 Peter Lehman Layers from South Australia ($15.79) to uncork.
With four grapes in the blend, the Shiraz delivers the blue and black fruit as well as depth and structure. Mourvedre adds earthiness, Tempranillo brings a savoury flavour and Grenache sprinkles spiciness, strawberries and softens the palate. Layers have low or smooth tannins so any hot chili in your food won’t clash with the wine.
Another delicious red to try with your barbecue pork or Beijing duck is the 2014 Robin Ridge Gamay ($24.69) from BC’s Similkameen Valley.
Gamay is the grape that has made Beaujolais so popular and it does well in our province too. Although you might expect the Robin Ridge to be light and simple it is actually quite deep and complex, much like the better Beaujolais Crus of France.
This is a bold fruity Gamay which is charming and easy to love and will go well with both spicy and strong flavoured dishes as well as subtle ones. Expect juicy black cherries, blackberries and raspberries. It also has silky tannins so even white wine lovers will probably be fond of this red. A fruit bowl in a glass!
All of today’s wines are available at government stores except the Robin Ridge Gamay which is at Ironwood’s Save-on-Foods wine store.
Eric Hanson is a veteran foodie and wine educator.
