5 Auspicious Wines for Chinese New Year

Follow our quick guide to help you celebrate the Year of the Sheep in style...

Sparkling Wines - perfect with dim sum dumplings and fried foods. Cava and English sparkling are ideal: Try Franck Massard Mas Sardana Cava Brut Nature NV for its notes of apple, citrus and almond; made in the same way as a Champagne but with a few local grapes thrown in for good measure. Or maybe something from closer to home, like Ridgeview, Grosvenor Cuvée Merret (Blanc de Blancs) from Sussex – the orchard aromas and hints of freshly baked brioche lift the flavours of crunchy spring rolls and warm steamed buns.

Dry, fruity rosé - particularly good with sweet and sour dishes, but most of all it’s a real ‘all-rounder’. I would opt for something like Ribafreixo, Pato Frio Cashmere Rosé 2013, a Portuguese rosé that’s a little softer and more generous than the delicately structured rosés of Provence. This will go down a treat with a veritable banquet of dishes – from dim sum to unctuous BBQ ribs.

Fragrant whites – best matched with fragrant, spicy dishes – anything with heaps of ginger, spring onion, white pepper or Szechuan spices. Gewürztraminer, like Trimbach’s 2012, would be high on the list as a classic accompaniment due to its distinctive aromas of rose and lychee. But another interesting twist could be Argentina’s very own Torrontes grape – a milder version of the floral aromas of Gewürz, delivering a bouquet of rose along with notes of Sauvignon grassiness. Also try Viognier – renowned for its hints of ginger and honey - perfect with sticky chicken pieces and noodles.

Juicy, low tannin reds – drink with duck-based dishes, especially whole duck or peking style with pancakes. Wines with lower tannins can have a rich sweetness which is brilliant with plum sauce: try Grenache, particularly El Mago Organic Garnacha 2013 - a wine full of sweet fruits and delicious acidity that will coat the duck and heighten its rich, earthy flavours. Pinot Noir is also a great example, but make sure it’s a ‘new world’ version that’ll maximise the ripe fruit flavours – something like Leyda’s Pinot Noir Las Brisas Leyda Valley 2012 would be a top choice.

Soft, ripe reds – these wines are a go-to for meaty dishes in salty, caramelised soy sauce. The softness and oakiness of a mature Rioja, with its aged characters of bamboo shoots, mushroom and spice, will pair wonderfully with succulent beef, charred peppers and black bean. Feeling celebratory? Why not push the boat out and try the rare Marqués de Riscal, Rioja 150th Anniversary Gran Reserva 2004. Likewise, a smooth, plummy Merlot-based wine would trump anything with too much tannin-heavy Cabernet, despite this grape’s affinity with green peppers. A safer option would be Carménère which shares Cabernet’s distinctive capsicum aromas but has slightly softer tannins.

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!

By Chris Penwarden