March 23, 2018

Pairing Wine with Chinese Food

Yao Fuzi Wine Selection – photo courtesy of Yao Fuzi

One of the benefits of being a member of the wine blogging community is the many opportunities to share and learn about new wine and food pairing. Meeting other wine lovers in my community is a frequent benefit of exploring new events and locations.

In 2018 I reconnected with Women in Winesense  (http://www.womenforwinesense.org/). This worldwide group of women (and a few men) started in 1990 for wine aficionados and people in the wine industry. The focus is wine education and networking in a responsible manner.

Our March event was hosted by Plano restaurant Yao Fuzi Cuisine (www.yaofuzi.com). Owner Chris Yao established an elegant, family friendly Chinese restaurant with a vast and mature wine selection. Yao Fuzi is the winner of a 2018 Diner’s Choice Award. Yao Fuzi has expanded their love of wine by opening a wine store next to the restaurant. Fuzi Fine Wines features a large selection of wines from around the world with a focus on California wines. Yao Fuzi regularly hosts wine and Chinese food pairings.

Yao Fuzi has expanded their wine selection to offer private label wines. Our host started the meal with a 2013 Fuzi Riesling wine paired with Tempura halibut and Fuzi spring rolls. This Riesling is a light sweet offering with a pear nose. A light apple taste was a perfect wine to start the meal. Owner Chris Yao worked with California Napa Valley winemaker Bob Egelhoff to create this gem. With a lower alcohol content, the Yao Fuzi Riesling was a great way to start the meal.

 
 

2013 Fuzi Reisling

When to Drink: Now
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Varietal: Riesling
Food Pairing: Chicken, Light Fish
Average Selling Price: $18.99 (produced and bottled by Egelhoff Wines)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yao Fuzi presented a full course meal of Fuzi Crispy Beef, Moo Goo Gai Pan, Kung Pao Shrimp, Vegetable Clay Pot, and Crab Meat Fried Rice. Each dish was exceptional in presentation, fresh ingredients and flavor. There were a couple of pairings that I found the most interesting. The first was the Moo Goo Gai Pan with Smoke Tree Chardonnay (www.smoketreewines.com). The Chardonnay featured a nose of pear and lemon. The palate has hints of apple and apricot with a hint of smokiness. The savory taste of the dish plus the round mouthful of the Chardonnay paired extremely well.

Smoke Tree Chardonnay – photo courtesy Smoke Tree

 
 
 
 
When to Drink: Now
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Varietal: Chardonnay
Food Pairing: Chicken, Vegetables, Creamy White Sauces
Average Selling Price: $18.99
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The next pairing that I want to highlight is the Fuzi Crisp Beef with a treat from one of our member’s cellars- Wild Horse 2011 Cheval Sauvage Pinot Noir (www.wildhorse.com). The beef was crispy taste with a tangy sauce and tender meat. The Cheval Sauvage Pinot Noir is a full-bodied Pinot Noir with berry and vanilla tastes on the palate. The Santa Maria Valley treat uses hand-picked grapes from adjoining vineyards to produce this fruit forward Pinot Noir.

Cheval Sauvage Pinot Noir – courtesy of Wild Horse

 
 
 
 
When to Drink: Now
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Food Pairing: Beef, Pork
Average Selling Price: $50
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

When you are in the DFW area, try Yao Fuzi Cuisine restaurant. You’ll enjoy the elegant, relaxed environment, the food and the vast wine selection.

Remember to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think positively!

Drink Responsibly!

 
#yaofuzi #womeninwinesense