Pairing Wines with Chinese Dishes

Chinese food can present even knowledgeable wine lovers with challenges. For one thing, China’s eight major regional cuisines offer an incredible diversity of ingredients and cooking styles. And pairing dishes with wine is harder when multiple dishes with diverse flavors are served family-style.

Cantonese food, arguably America’s most popular Chinese cuisine, includes steamed and pan-fried dumplings, spring rolls, Shumai and soy-seasoned meats. Their fresh, light, naturally savory flavors go beautifully with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or a dry white Riesling. Sweet and Sour Orange Chicken also goes well with aromatic varietals such as Riesling. Heavy reds are likely to overpower these lighter dishes.

CinCin’s rich crabcakes pair beautifully with the refreshing edge of a crisp Chardonnay. So do noodle and rice dishes wok-tossed with fresh vegetables over blazing flames. Spicier dishes such as General Tso’s Chicken are ideal with a slightly sweeter Riesling, a heavier Chardonnay or a light and fruity Pinor Noir. Our deeply flavored Peking duck is especially yummy with Pinot Noir, a cru Beaujolais or a lighter Cabernet Sauvignon.

If all else fails, the classic American approach to pairing food and wine holds true for many of our patrons: seafood with white, meats with red, and poultry with red or white. Cheers!

Wine styles to explore on your next visit to CinCin:

• Riesling
• Sauvignn Blanc
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir
• Gamay / Beaujolais