The Best Wines to Pair with Chinese Food
Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse, with dishes ranging from spicy Szechuan to mild Cantonese. This can make it difficult to choose the right wine pairing. Here are a few tips to help you select the perfect wine for your next Chinese meal:
* Consider the spice level of the dish. Spicy dishes call for wines with high acidity and sweetness to balance out the heat. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chenin Blanc are all good choices.
* Think about the flavors in the dish. Sweet and sour dishes pair well with wines that have a touch of sweetness, such as Riesling or Moscato d'Asti. Salty dishes, on the other hand, call for wines with high acidity, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
* Don't be afraid to experiment. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to pairing wine with Chinese food. If you're not sure what to choose, ask your server for recommendations.
Here are a few specific wine pairings that you might want to try:
* Szechuan dishes: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc
* Cantonese dishes: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc
* Hunan dishes: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon
* Shanghai dishes: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc
* Beijing dishes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir
No matter what wine you choose, make sure to serve it chilled. Chinese food is typically served hot, so a chilled wine will help to balance out the temperature of the meal.
With these tips in mind, you'll be sure to find the perfect wine to pair with your next Chinese meal. So next time you're at a Chinese restaurant, don't be afraid to ask your server for recommendations. They'll be happy to help you choose a wine that will complement your meal perfectly.