Everything About Chinese Food
Chinese food is often synonymous with comfort food. So, when it comes to Chinese cuisine, not many people would think of pairing a glass of wine with it. But you’ll be surprised to know there are various red and white wines that can not only complement but elevate any Chinese dish. Chinese cuisine is known for the wide variety of flavors it offers, from salty, sour, and spicy to tangy and sweet.
And while the food may appear to be exotic, Chinese cuisine is said to be frugal at its core since it makes use of locally available ingredients and seasonal foods. In most Chinese dishes, the bones of the meat are also included to minimize wastage. Interestingly, a scientific approach to Chinese cuisine was invented during the Han Dynasty. This approach stated that the core five flavors of sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, sourness, and hotness must be combined in a meal to create balance and harmony.
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(4.2 / 5) What Wines Pair Well With Chinese Food?
To identify the best Chinese Food wine pairing, understanding the different elements of Chinese cuisine is important. For example, dishes that don’t use heavy sauces, such as Dim Sum, steamed fish, and scallops, or fried appetizers pair beautifully with sparkling wine or Sauvignon Blanc. You can also try a glass of Riesling with these dishes. Go for wines with low tannins and high acidity to cut through the oiliness.
On the other hand, dishes that are dominated by the flavors of ginger work well with a glass of Riesling or any dry white wine such as the Pinot Gris. For heavier dishes or foods that consist of black bean sauce or sticky sauce, red wines are the best. Some of the best red wines you can have with these dishes include Merlot, Syrah, or a Syrah blend. Here’s a curated list of the 5 best wines to pair with Chinese dishes.
Best White Wines With Chinese Food
Robert Weil Riesling Trocken
- Winery — Robert Weil
- Country/Region — Germany, Rheingau
- Type — German Riesling
- Aroma — Citrus, Apple, Stone, Gooseberry
- Grapes — Riesling
- Taste — Citrus, Apple, Pineapple, Gooseberry
- Alcohol Content — 12%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chinese, Pork, Shellfish, Spicy Food, Cured Meat
If you’re looking for the best white wine with Chinese food, you can’t go wrong with the Robert Weil Riesling Trocken. This white wine has origins in Rhine, Germany, and is among the most popular white wines in the world. The Robert Weil Riesling Trocken is produced in the Weingut Robert Weil estate in Kiedrich, Germany. The vineyards cultivate predominantly Riesling grapes, although some parts of the estate also produce Pinot Noir grapes.
Interestingly, the growing importance of Asian cuisine has had a significant impact on the popularity of Riesling wine. The wine is characterized by a sweet taste. Notes of tropical fruit, melon, nectarine, and pineapple are prominent in a glass of the Robert Weil Riesling Trocken. It also has an intense, rich, and well-balanced structure. Notes of pear and green apple are strong, with fresh minerality and refreshing acidity. It’s a dry, aromatic, and rich wine that’s compatible with salty and spicy dishes.
Cantina Kaltern Gewürztraminer
- Winery — Cantina Kaltern
- Country/Region — Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Südtirol
- Type — Northern Italy Gewürztraminer
- Aroma — Lychee, Honey, Jasmine, Cream
- Grapes — Gewürztraminer
- Taste — Peach, Grapefruit, Orange Peel
- Alcohol Content — 13.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chinese, Rich Fish, Pork, Poultry, Mild And Soft Cheese
A white wine with Italian roots, the Cantina Kaltern Gewürztraminer is produced by the Cantina Kaltern wineries. One of the major wineries in the Alto Adige region, they conduct their entire harvest manually throughout the region. Receiving adequate sunlight and pleasant weather, the Alto Adige region is considered to be among the best areas for cultivating wine grapes.
Characterized by its pleasant and fresh aroma, the Cantina Kaltern Gewürztraminer is dominated by notes of exotic fruits and flowers. On the nose, you get lychee, rose petals, and pineapple, and the palate is full and creamy with a long-lasting finish. It has an intense straw yellow color and can be paired with various seafood and meat-based dishes.
Villa Wolf Pinot Blanc
- Winery — Villa Wolf
- Country/Region — Germany, Pfalz
- Type — German Pinot Blanc
- Aroma — Green Apple, Mineral, Orange Blossom, White Pepper
- Grapes — Pinot Blanc
- Taste — Pineapple, Melon, Honey
- Alcohol Content — 13%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chinese, Rich Fish, Cured Meat, Shellfish, Mild And Soft Cheese
An elegant wine, the Villa Wolf Pinot Blanc is a medium-bodied white wine that is dry, complex, and has well-balanced acidity. The production of the Villa Wolf Pinot Blanc began in the year 1996 when well-known Mosel Riesling winemaker Ernst Loosen took over the Villa Wolf Estate in Wachenheim’s Pfalz Village. The estate is known to produce premium-quality Reisling, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir wines, owing to the area’s sandstone, basalt, and limestone soils.
The Wolf Pinot Blanc has a pleasant and lush palate consisting of white blossom and peach notes. It is an exuberant, fruit-forward wine with flavors of grapefruit blended with notes of lemon zest, saline, and stone minerality. The wine has a creamy and very refreshing finish. You can enjoy this wine with a variety of dishes, including Chinese cuisine. Or, you could enjoy a glass all by itself on a hot summer day.
Best Red Wines With Chinese Food
Meiomi Pinot Noir
- Winery — Meiomi
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Pinot Noir
- Aroma — Oak, Cherry, Blackberry, Fig
- Grapes — Pinot Noir
- Taste — Strawberry, Cherry, Oak, Tobacco, Plum
- Alcohol Content — 13.8%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chinese, Rib Eye, Langoustines, Duck
The Meiomi Pinot Noir is a Californian red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. Often considered a difficult varietal to cultivate, the Pinot Noir is best suited for the cool climates of the Californian and Oregon Valleys. Meiomi winery strives to create wines with the perfect balance of complexity and layered flavors. Winemaker Jason Becker uses his extensive experience working in the best wineries of California to create fruit-forward, rich wines. Taking advantage of California’s perfect climatic conditions, including the warm temperatures and cool ocean air combined with the rocky soils of the area, Meiomi produces intensely flavored wines.
Unlike the Russian Pinot Noir, which is said to be richer and thicker in texture, the Californian Pinot Noir, where the Meiomi Pinot Noir originates from, is a light-bodied red wine. It also has a higher percentage of red fruits and floral notes. It has high acidity with a tinge of minerality. The nose is bright and fruity with aromas of bright strawberry, cedar, raspberry, vanilla, mocha, and jammy fruit. It also has a soft and lush palate with flavors such as toasty mocha, boysenberry, blackberry, and dark cherry. The Meiomi Pinot Noir has a well-integrated oak structure and a depth that is not seen too often in Pinot Noir wines.
Domaine des Marrans Morgon ‘Corcelette’
- Winery — Domaine des Marrans
- Country/Region — France, Beaujolais, Morgon
- Type — Beaujolais Red
- Aroma — Raspberry, Cedar, Banana, Violet
- Grapes — Gamay
- Taste — Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Blueberry
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Chinese, Blue Cheese, Filet Mignon, Roasted Turkey, Veggie Burgers
Produced by the Domaine des Marrans Estate in Fleurie, Beaujolais, the Domaine des Marrans Morgon Corcelette is best red wine with Chinese Food. The winery was established in 1970 and is currently being run by Mathieu Mélinand. The wines produced at Domaine des Marrans are pruned using the classic Gobelet vine training method, and grapes are hand-harvested in small crates to reduce the chances of oxidation. This is followed by the vinification process, with semi-carbonic maceration using whole clusters and indigenous yeast.
The wines are then aged in large oak barrels for up to ten months before they are bottled and sold. The Corcelette wine is distinguished by its fresh and fruity taste. It has low tannins and bright acidity. It’s a full-bodied red wine that is rich and decadent. This wine has refreshing aromas of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and violet. It has perfectly balanced flavors of strawberry and spices with minerality and earthy notes dominating the wine’s taste.
Conclusion
Whether you’re dining delectable Chinese cuisine or just want to order some Chinese takeaway comfort food, there’s a wine to add that extra something to your food. To find the best Chinese Food wine match, you need to know whether the dish you’re going to eat is heavy on sauces and spices or is sweet. This will help you find that perfect wine to balance the taste and flavors of the dish.
