Pairing Exploration​

Pairing Exploration is provided by the President of the Hong Kong Professional Sommelier Association – Mr. Nelson Chow and his team.

Sauvignon Blanc and Umami Food

Sauvignon Blanc Wine Description
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Sauvignon Blanc is a vibrant and aromatic white wine varietal. It typically exhibits flavours of green apple, lime, passion fruit, and gooseberry. The wine often features distinctive herbal and grassy notes, including bell pepper and freshly cut grass, contributing to its refreshing character. Many expressions, particularly those from cooler climates, display a flinty or mineral quality that adds complexity. In principle we are looking for French Style Sauvignon Blanc is more restrained and mineral-driven.
Pairing with Umami Foods
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When pairing Sauvignon Blanc with umami-rich foods, the wine's bright acidity and herbal notes create an excellent balance with savoury richness. At the same time, mineral character can enhance the freshness and flavour of umami foods.

Chardonnay and Sour Food

Chardonnay Wine Description
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Chardonnay stands as one of the world's most celebrated and adaptable white wine varietals. Its expressions vary significantly based on climate, vineyard management, and winemaking approaches. This noble grape typically displays flavours of apple, pear, citrus, and tropical fruits like pineapple and mango. When aged in oak barrels, it develops enticing notes of vanilla, butter, and toast, contributing depth and sophistication. The wine presents balanced acidity, ranging from crisp and vibrant to smooth and luxurious. This two styles of Chardonnay give a total different character in the wine. And we are looking for unoaked Chardonnay which is crisp and fruity, highlighting the grape’s natural flavours without the influence of oak.
Pairing with Sour Foods
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When matching Chardonnay with sour dishes, the wine's natural acidity creates harmonious balance. Choose lightly oaked versions to provide a creamy counterpoint to tart flavours, or select unoaked expressions to enhance and brighten the dish's natural acidity.

Merlot and Sweet/Fruity Food

Merlot Wine Description
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Merlot ranks among the world's most cultivated red wine varietals, celebrated for its silky texture and welcoming character. This noble grape presents classic flavours of red fruits - cherry, plum, and raspberry - often layered with darker notes of blackberry and cassis. Distinguished by softer tannins than other red wines, Merlot offers exceptional drinkability. Regional expressions may reveal hints of cocoa, Mediterranean herbs, and subtle earthiness. Age plays a defining role in Merlot's evolution. Aged Merlot develops sophisticated complexity, offering refined flavours and a luxuriously smooth texture.
Pairing with Sweet or Fruity Foods
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When matching Merlot with sweet or fruit-forward dishes, the wine's natural fruit character creates harmonious balance. Its gentle tannin structure complements rich, fruity dishes while maintaining elegant texture and depth.

Shiraz and Spicy Food

Shiraz Wine Description
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Shiraz, known as Syrah in France, emerges as a powerful, full-bodied red wine with roots in the Rhône Valley. This distinguished varietal has flourished globally, particularly in Australia, where it achieves remarkable depth and sophistication. Classic expressions reveal intense dark fruits - blackberry, plum, and blueberry - layered with distinctive spice notes of black pepper, clove, and liquorice. Built on a foundation of moderate to high tannins, Shiraz delivers impressive structure and rich texture. Oak aging introduces additional complexity through notes of vanilla, dark chocolate, and subtle smoke. The original of the wine also leads to different style of shiraz. Australian Shiraz offers generous fruit concentration and accessibility, often showing opulent jammy qualities.
Pairing with Spicy Foods
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When matching Shiraz with spicy cuisine, the wine's bold fruit character and generous body create perfect balance with heat-driven dishes. Australian expressions, with their plush fruit and natural acidity, particularly excel at taming fiery flavours.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Salty Food

Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Description
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Cabernet Sauvignon stands as one of the world's most prestigious and recognised red varietals, celebrated for its commanding presence and structural integrity. This noble grape presents intense dark fruit characteristics - blackcurrant (cassis), blackberry, and black cherry - supported by firm, sophisticated tannins that ensure exceptional aging potential. In cooler climates, it develops complex herbaceous notes of green bell pepper, fresh mint, and forest floor. Oak maturation introduces refined elements of vanilla, cedar, and baking spices, adding remarkable depth.
Two distinct expressions define this classic variety: New World Cabernet delivers generous fruit concentration and immediate appeal, while Old World interpretations offer refined restraint with pronounced herbaceous and mineral complexity.
Pairing with Salty Foods
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When matching Cabernet Sauvignon with salt-forward dishes, a beautiful balance emerges. The wine's powerful structure and bold fruit complement savoury elements, while the salt gracefully softens its firm tannins, creating perfect harmony.