Are you looking for repose after a long and stressful day? If your go-to is wine but also Chinese food, don’t despair—explore these tips for pairing the two!
Need some comfort after a long workday or a stressful situation? Many people’s go-to is the salty, flavorful wonderfulness that is Chinese food. And then we often want to pair that with the refreshing comfort of a glass of vino.
But what’s the best pair? Release into true comfort with these tips for pairing wine with Chinese food.
Two Quick Tips:
Say Yes to Bubbles
Tip number one: Say yes to all the bubbles. If you’re unsure where to start with wine and all varieties of Chinese food, go for some bubbly. If you go for a simple, dry Champagne, you’ll end up with quite a nice mouthfeel when it all mixes together. The bubbles offset the spice or the sweet, depending on your dish.
If You Want Red, Go Light
Say your comfort wine is a red. With most Chinese foods, try not to go for the darkest red on the shelf. Instead, go light! Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, and other lighter red varieties will be able to handle the spicier Chinese dishes, but they won’t overwhelm them.
Best Chinese Food and Wine Pairings
Dumplings and Spring Rolls
A lot falls under the realm of Dim Sum, which is why it’s such an incredible choice for wine pairing. Since they typically contain mild flavors, you have a few options to go with to perfect the wine pairing. Chardonnay is actually a beautiful choice for most, but you can also try a Blanc de Blancs Champagne, a Gruner Veltliner, or an off-dry Riesling.
Basically, aim for a white—still or sparkling—with these dishes.
Sichuan-Flavored Dishes
Is spice your favorite? As for most spicy things, you don’t want to try to overpower the flavor. Instead, aim for bubbles and even some sweetness. An off-dry Rosé, a juicy Pinot Noir, or even a Prosecco will help ease the burn and refine the complex aromas!
Fried Rice and Chow Mein (Chicken, Shrimp, Pork—You Name It!)
These comforting dishes have everything you need in one serving. Filled (potentially) with carbs, flavorful proteins, and scrumptious veggies and tossed in a wok, chow mein and fried rice are quintessential Chinese dishes. Go for a high-acidity Riesling, a Chenin Blanc, or another sparkling.
Sweet and Sour Dishes
For aromatic dishes, you want aromatic wines. We love Gewurztraminers with these plates, but anything with a touch of sweetness and high acidity will do the trick. But with such a range of dishes falling under “sweet and sour,” don’t hesitate to try something new!
Everyone’s taste buds are different, and the more you experiment, the better chance you’ll have of understanding yours. Don’t hesitate to test your theories with the help of Wines ‘Til Sold Out. Our last call wines have wonderful options to choose from so that you can test your knowledge.
And don’t worry—you’ll still feel that sweet relief at the end of the day.