Especially given the case we read about the Chinese wine industry a few weeks ago, it is an appropriate time to talk about what wines will be served during Chinese New Year, which is this Friday! It is the Year of the Dog and with Chinese New Year comes a plethora of dishes that wine can be paired with including pork dumplings, suckling pigs, spicy beef stews and clear broth noodle soups.
The most traditional alcohol on Chinese New Year to drink and to gift is baiju - a clear alcohol that translates to "white alcohol" that is 51% alcohol (ouch!) Over the years though, wine is taking footing as a part of the alcohol of choice in Chinese New Year celebrations - below are some recommendations of wines that I have had while eating different types of Chinese New Year meals:
* Meat on Meat - there are so many preparations of red meat during Chinese New Year like a Shanghai Styled Braised Pork Belly that a Merlot would be a perfect way to balance the heavier dishes.
* Peking Duck - there will be tons of poultry like Peking Duck and white vinegar chicken that a Côtes du Rhône that will balance out some of that fattiness.
* Veggies - there will be heavier vegetables during Chinese New Year like Garlic Eggplant or Sweet and Sour Three Veggie Stir-Fry which a nice Chianti wine will offset with its more fruity taste.
* Extra Spice - My favorite Chinese New Years are the ones I have spicy Sechuan food at. That numbing peppercorn spice is addicting but a Reisling will help to cool you down some in between bites.
Hope everyone has an opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend and maybe try one of these pairings. Gan Bei!
Sorry to spam your commenting space! But I still have trouble releasing my own original post. I happened to have written the following comments about the Chinese New Year. So hope you don't mind my adding to your nice introduction about the wine food pairing to give people a complete picture of the wine consumption in CNY.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, CNY is ALL about food and prosperity – and that is excellent news for wine producers. Banquet celebrations with family, friends and business associates are now filling diaries and having wines on the table is now a key part of the occasion. Saying ‘cheers’ or ‘Ganbei’ to thank for the previous year and wish for health and happiness in the Year of the Dog is essential. As wine is the exciting and sophisticated drink of choice, many Chinese people clink glasses each and every time they sample the wine – meaning they often drink more than they realize. But for those who wants to tap into the rapidly growing market of wine and looks to boost their sales during the holiday season, there are things to keep in mind:
First, although wine consumption is booming, Chinese liquor still remains the top choice during the festive meal. With a 5,000-year-old heritage, Baijiu, the Chinese white alcohol distilled from Sorghum, is firmly associated with all important celebrations and occasions. Alcoholic beverages are seen as an appropriate gift especially for men, as drinking remains an integral part of the New Year celebration.
Second, people spend their money somewhat differently today. They continue to make traditional purchases of food and drink and some gifts. But they’re spending more. The country’s compensation structure helps drive spending. Effectively, people in non-farming parts of the economy have extra cash during the New Year because annual salaries are divided into 13 increments with the extra payment timed for the Chinese New Year. Still huge potential for growth!
Third, It’s also important to remember that Chinese New Year is different from the holiday season in the West. Gifting does not, and will not, attain equivalent importance. People yearn to connect with traditions. They especially feel the impact of modern life on traditional values during the New Year when they have time to reflect and reconnect with family. Although gifting consistently has played a role in the Chinese New Year, until now it’s been limited to certain categories. Brand importance during the New Year is likely to expand in those categories, such as food and drink, where it’s already a factor.
Fourth, brands and retailers have major opportunity to bond with customers by introducing packaging and design that help make the New Year feel special, evoke some of the traditions from the past, and connect brands more firmly with the holiday.