With lunar New 12 months being celebrated subsequent week, there’s an opportunity you is perhaps having a Chinese language meal over the following few days, however I'm wondering what you’re planning to drink with it. Wine-wise, no less than, the identical suspects – normally off-dry whites similar to riesling and gewürztraminer – are likely to get trotted out on a regular basis, so I used to be significantly that this week’s visitor contributor Amy Poon and her husband, Michael, who occurs to work within the wine enterprise, steered some completely different choices to go along with her recipes.
With the wok-roasted char siu, they went for a Saint-Estèphe, suggesting Château Capbern (Laithwaites, 15%), Château Meyney (Majestic, 13.5%) “to steadiness the wealthy, smoky flavours of the pork” (although, at £28 and £35.99, respectively, neither is what you’d name low-cost), or a standard Loire pink similar to a chinon or bourgeuil. And for her father’s basic zha jiang noodles, they advocate a rosé champagne or an English glowing wine such because the Woodchester Valley in at the moment’s decide.
It relies upon, in fact, on the kind of Chinese language meals you’re consuming. Supermarkets are nonetheless comparatively conservative with their prepared meals, so should you’re having sweet-and-sour hen or chow mein, riesling would possibly nicely be the reply, in any case. However there are a lot of dishes with which you might drink a pink – the Chinese language themselves are significantly eager on bordeaux, and in recent times have invested closely within the area.
Given that a vary of dishes could also be on the desk on the identical time, I discover it most useful to have a look at the general fashion of the meals, moderately than particular person dishes. In case you’re having dim sum or delicate seafood dishes, for instance, crisp, dry whites similar to pouilly-fumé or glowing wines are likely to work greatest. Fizz can also be good with something deep-fried similar to spring rolls and prawn toast.
With extra savoury, umami-rich dishes similar to duck or braised meats, then again, I’d undoubtedly be inclined to drink a pink. In addition to bordeaux, I like pinot noir, though with the likes of beef in black bean sauce, I’d go for a bolder pink similar to a grenache.
In the meantime, with spicy dishes – mapo tofu or a chilli-spiked hotpot, say – I’d be extra more likely to drink the very forgiving grüner veltliner beneath , or a beer. And should you’re on the final couple of days of dry January, the 0.5% Fortunate Saint would hit the spot.
One other good alcohol-free choice is glowing tea, which I’ve talked about earlier than. I’ve simply come throughout a scrumptious limited-edition one from Saicho referred to as Eight Treasures. At £32.99 a bottle, it’s undoubtedly not low-cost, however it's comprised of a uncommon oolong and is fantastically packaged, so it’s superb for a New 12 months reward.
Three wines to see within the new 12 months
Woodchester Valley Brut Rosé 2018£28.95 Woodchester Valley, 12.5%. Deliciously fruity, with a heady aroma of freshly picked strawberries and raspberries (so a sensible choice for Valentine’s Day, too).
Château Jouanin Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2019 £9 bigger Co-ops, 13.5%. An appealingly tender, fruity bordeaux that may work rather well with crispy duck pancakes.
Rainer Wess Grüner Veltliner Kremstal 2020£9.95 The Wine Society, 12.5%. Austria’s grüner veltliner is a very versatile white that might take you thru a complete vary of dishes.
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