Which Wine for Chinese Food

[bsgeorge]

I'm throwing a birthday party for about 30 friends. It will be a traditional Chinese buffet (suckling pig, honey-walnut prawns, braised abalone, shark fin soup, roasted chicken, sea scallops). I would like to serve a red and white wine. What of each would you recommend? I would like to serve Californian wine and due to the number of guests, I can only afford moderate to low priced wines. Thanks!!

[wondersofwine]

Possibly a Fetzer Gewurztraminer for the white and a Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Zinfandel for the red.
Welcome to the Wine Board!

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 02-06-2002).]

[Drew]

bs, I think the Zabaco might be a bit overwhelming, it is a nice wine though as WOW has stated. Why not try a Pinot Noir for the red? The '99 Gallo Sonoma or the '99 Frei Bros. should fit the bill for under $15.

Drew

[Thomas]

For the red. go for a German Pinot Noir. If you can't find that, you might like a light red from Sancere (also Pinot Noir) or maybe a Provencal Rose.

[Botafogo]

If you want to save money, bail the idea of California wine, you can get much better values from imports. As the former GM of a VERY serious Chinese joint I would heartily advise Prosecco ($11-16) or an equivilantly frivolous sparkler, some sort of Riesling or perhaps the Lurton Mendoza Pinot Gris ($5.49!!!) and a lighter styled Valpolicella ($8-12). Another yummy and CHEAP red is the Lurton Mendoza Bonarda ($4.99).

Commercial interest: We sell all of the above and are in Santa Monica. Give me a call at 310-828-4428, Roberto

[Hal]

Although my dinner parties always emphasize wine, I always consider alternatives depending on the size of the party and who the guests are. May I suggest that you make available a few bottles of beer? I'll bet that pig will go great with a Czech style pilsener or a pale ale.

[mrdutton]

As soon as I read the question my answers popped into my head:

Beer
Riesling
Prosecco