China celebrates the New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Goat on 19th February. The Year of the Goat arrives eighth in the Chinese zodiac, which states that people born under the sign are calm, gentle, creative, thoughtful and friendly types.
If you’re celebrating with a spread of Chinese dishes, here are our Master of Wine Nick Adams’ quick tips for matching the typically softly spiced flavours of Chinese food to wine.
- Generally white wines match better than red wines to Chinese food
- Wines from the New World can work especially well – this is because the fruit ripeness in the whites and riper tannins in the reds pair better with Chinese ingredients, especially when spices, herbs and coconut are included
- Go for low, or no oak – such as vibrant and fruity wines from the Alsace or Argentina – or a low oak, gentle tannin Pinot Noir
- Salt levels tends to be slightly higher in Chinese cooking, which engage better with high acid, low oak wines
Happy (Chinese) New Year!