Posted By Joel on October 23, 2009

A moon and a sun inhabit our home. One is called Italy, the other called China. Which is which, you may ask? They take turns playing moon and sun, balancing momentum and gravity, constantly in need of the other’s orbit.

When I first mentioned to my Italian mother that I was thinking of marrying a woman from mainland China, her first question was this: “Oh my God, what will you eat ? “

15 years later, my wife and I still enjoy exploring each other’s food traditions, figuring out what we’ll eat. There is more in common between the great culinary traditions of Italy and China than you might think.

Working in the Italian wine business has had its advantages: it’s not uncommon to have 10 wines open at once with the opportunity to taste all of them against the many dishes from Italy, China, and elsewhere that we cook at home.

Italian wines are exceptionally adept at table – and not just the Italian table. There are many, many gorgeous pairings of Chinese / Asian dishes and Italian wines which we’ve discovered.

Here is a multi-dish, home cooked Chinese meal we enjoyed along with recommended pairings of Italian wines. You may not cook or order these EXACT dishes, but you’ll get the idea. Click the suggested wine name for more information about the wines / producers:

Chicken with leeks, bell pepper, spicy pepper from the garden, and onion.

Wine Pairing Suggestion:

Roero Arneis

Buns stuffed with pork, chives, fresh bamboo and five spice powder.

Wine Pairing Suggestion:

Bolgheri Rosso

Bitter vegetable stuffed with tofu, pork, water chestnut.

Wine Pairing Suggestion:

Pinot Grigio Dolomiti

Buon Appetito ! OR…. Hao Chi !!!!

P.S. My mother now loves Chinese food !

Categories: $ (Under $25), Alto Adige, Bolgheri, Culture, Food, Piedmont, Tuscany, Wine
Tags: Arneis, Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot, Sangiovese