Mission Accomplished

Julia and I were tasked by a friend yesterday to pair some Spanish wines with some Asian dishes.  Some days are just tough, you know :)

Our contestants

We had four very unique and uncommon (at least in HK) varietals, which made it a real treat to try to conquer the task at hand.  So what did we drink!?

Julia hard at work

 
So as not to steal our friend's thunder, we will keep the Asian food pairings a secret, and will share Western pairings here.  Sound good?

 

Albarino Veiga da Princesa 2011

Appearance: clear, pale lemon

Nose: clean, medium flavour intensity, youthful, floral notes, crisp minerality, hint of mint

Palate: dry, high acidity, medium alcohol, light body, medium – flavour intensity, medium – finish, citrus flavors

This was a little acidic for both our tastes which leads me to the following pairings....

Non-Asian Food Pairing: Clams and linguini, lemon chicken, salad with balsamic vinegar dressing

Txakoli Aguirrebeko

Appearance: clear, very pale lemon-green

Nose: clean, medium flavour intensity, youthful, citrus flavours of grapefruit and pommelo and tart green apple

Palate: dry, high acidity, medium alcohol, medium - body, medium – flavour intensity, medium – finish, green apple with citrus notes

While this too was very acidic, the fruit flavors brought this wine into balance.  We both agreed it tastes young and would probably benefit from 6 months to a years' additional aging

Non-Asian Food Pairing: Anchovies, fried sardines, oysters.

Joaquin Robeolledo Godello

Appearance: clear, pale lemon

Nose: clean, medium flavour intensity, youthful, stone fruits, honeysuckle, with slight minerality.  Wonderful nose!

Palate: dry, medium + acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, medium – flavour intensity, medium – finish, flavours of white flowers, milk, melon and tropical fruit, and finishes with notes of hay.

 This was hands down the winner of the night!  Delicious body and wonderful wonderful nose, I see this wine developing and improving in the next few months!

Non-Asian Food Pairing: Caesar salad, fettuccine Alfredo

Joaquin Robeolledo Mencia

Appearance: clear, medium ruby

Nose: clean, medium - flavour intensity, developing, leather, spice, liquorice, plum, prune

Palate: dry, medium + acidity, medium alcohol, medium – tannin, medium - body, medium flavour intensity, medium  finish, flavours of red currant, earth (dirt), smoke, plum.

This wine really reminded me of a red fruited Pinot Noir.  It was light with light tannins but had a nice light fruit flavor.  When I drank it I could almost taste....

Non-Asian Food Pairing: Simple, plain Margherita pizza.

So studious

To see Asian food matches, you'll have to stay tuned in to the China Wine Awards.  Fingers crossed we didn't let our good friend down!  Salud!