V@44: Possibly The Best Wines For Your SG CNY Dinner Party

As a reputable wine distributor in Singapore, Asia Wine Network (AWN) serves to share on all things Vinology, this CNY season. We know that festive occasions can be difficult to plan, especially where wines are concerned. As a wine lover, you might have the following pressing questions:

• What dishes should I include in my CNY feast to entertain my guests?
• What are the best wine pairings for these dishes?

Fret not! Read on to find out how to pair our spectacular wine selections with common new year dishes this CNY. Whether planning a CNY party for your colleagues, friends or relatives, our informative Vinology guide is sure to make party planning stress-free whilst wowing your family, friends and guests.

Huo Guo (Steamboat)

Who can’t resist the piping hot charms of steamboat (or hot pot) on CNY? Featuring various yummy meats, veggies (and other things) boiling in a delicious hot pot of soup, steamboat is an irresistible and comforting way to spice up your CNY. With soups ranging from chicken, pork, tomato, mala, steamboat lovers would be spoilt for choice this festive season.

To get the fullest out of your steamboat session, pair our Villa Fura Amarone Della Valalpolicella with your bowl of steamboat. With notes of figs, raisin and chocolate mousse, this rich, full bodied Italian wine will release aromas of black forest fruit, sultry red cherries, and smoked ham and pralines when combined with steamboat.

Lo Hei

LoHei (or Yu Sheng) is a raw fish salad that is tossed by CNY guests to welcome a prosperous new year. It is said that the higher you toss your Lo Hei, the more wealth and luck you would accrue in the new year.

Impress your guests by pairing the Lo Hei with our Koyle Costa Sauvignon Blanc. This particular sauvignon is remarkable in bringing out the crisp, fresh notes of the vegetables in your Lo Hei. Expect to be fully immersed in tangy and fresh notes of lemon peel, white asparagus, powdered ginger and minerals when you combine your Lo Hei with this Chilean wine. A refreshing way to kickstart the new year.

Alternatively, you may choose our Wente Riverbanks Riesling. This American wine is sure to bring out lots of floral and fruity notes in your Lo Hei, including white peach, jasmine and mandarin. Sure to please your guests!

Melon Seeds

Melon seeds (also known as Guan Xi) are an addictive snack that your guests will keep munching on throughout the party. They are small, bite-sized snacks that will prove to be addictingly yummy. Melon seeds can be cost efficient or expensive given the varieties and flavors that are available on the market.

To get the best out of your steamed fish dining experience, pair our Deep Woods Estate Chardonnay to bring out notes of white blossom and nectarine. This Australian wine has a lively palate with good length and structure and is sure to please your hungry guests.

Mandarins

Anyone who is familiar with CNY would know that these are the definitely the fruit of occasion. They are often known as symbols of prosperity and are said to bring wealth and luck to whoever consumes them. Juicy and fresh, serve your mandarins as an appetizer, side dish or dessert.

For the best experience, we recommend pairing our Quinta de Portal 6 Barrels Tawny Reserve Port or Generous Gin with your plate of mandarins to enjoy a fresh melange of dessert notes. You are sure to feel an intense burst of sweetness as you do, so do note these wines are for those with a sweet tooth. A great way to bring out a perfect combination of sweet aromatics for your mandarins and wine.

Longevity Noodles

Longevity Noodles is yet another staple for your table during CNY. The person who eats it is said to live a long life. They are usually served before dessert on their own or as part of steamboat dishes during CNY.

Longevity Noodles are best enjoyed in combination with our Chateau Ferrandes Cabernet/Merlot. Boasting an impressive deep red colour, it possesses elegant notes of woodiness and fruit in a sip. Its strong silky tannins would be best favoured by your female guests given its feminine edge.

Alternatively, you may pair the noodles with our Banfi Aska Bolgheri Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon to enjoy a more complex aromatic experience, characterized by hints of fruit, tobacco and liquorice.

Dumplings

Dumplings are eaten during CNY as they convey wealth upon the eater. Filled with minced meat and finely chopped vegetables, dumplings are served either as appetizers or as a main dish. The method in which they are folded makes them more ‘lucky’ and will pique the delight of your guests.

To get the best experience out of your dumpling dish, pair them with our Cigalus Red (if dipping your dumpling in chilli) or Cigalus White. Hailing from France, these blends will enhance your meal with a bouquet of wine notes.

Cigalus Red contains hints of grilled spice and oak with complex aromas of blackberries, black cherries, plums and mint. In turn, Cigalus White boasts aromas such as peach apricot and honey.

Bak Kwa

This old school CNY food goodie is a favourite amongst many Singaporeans here in SG. As squared barbecue pieces of pork, bak kwa is made using chicken and other cuts of meat as well these days. Interestingly, bak kwa is not only popular as a CNY goodie. It also touts itself as a popular tourism souvenir in Singapore.

As a fresh take on this years-old foodie goodie, pair your bak kwa with our Wente Beyer Ranch Zinfandel. Swirling with notes of raspberry, blackberry, spice and black pepper, it sure promises to enhance the flavour of bak kwa by rendering a unique richness to it.

We wish all readers a fantastic and COVID-safe CNY full of delicious treats and wine!

Do let us know in the comments what your favourite CNY dish is as well as your favourite wine? In addition, look forward to more Vinology 101 blogs in the upcoming days, where we cover more topics on wine appreciation.