20 Oct The Perfect Pair – Szechuan Cuisine and Wine
The arrival of Fall also marks the arrival of the grape harvest in the Bay Area’s beautiful Napa and Sonoma valleys. It’s a wonderful time of year to visit Wine Country and tour some of the amazing wineries. Wine Country is a short drive from San Francisco – a little over an hour from the City to the gorgeous, sun-drenched rolling hills of Napa and Sonoma.
The Napa and Sonoma valleys are home to hundreds of wineries and tasting rooms, and it’s best to plan an entire day to explore the area. Winery tours are a great way to learn about various types of wine, and how to pair different wines with different cuisines. It may surprise you to know that wine is a wonderful accompaniment to the complex flavors of Chinese cuisine. But which wine? That’s a great question with lots of great options. Chinese cuisine can be spicy, sweet, tangy, bitter or salty. Or, all of those flavors at once. Choosing a wine depends on what you’re having and what you’re in the mood for.
At Z & Y Restaurant, Chef Lijun Han’s award-winning menu has dozens of options to please every palette. Obviously, we are known for our authentic Szechuan dishes with their bold, spicy taste profiles. But Z & Y also has dozens of dishes reflecting the many varied flavors of Chinese cuisine. So, to make it easy, we’ve put together some great pairings for the complexity of flavors you’ll find at Z & Y Restaurant.
On your next visit to Z & Y, give these combinations a try:
Pinot Noir – The light, fruity and earthy taste of Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with these lightly-spiced dishes:
- Spicy Dumplings with Pork & Cabbage
- Peking Duck
Rose – The chilled, delicate flavor of the Rose is a great balance to dishes with garlic and spice:
- Crispy Garlic Flavor Prawns
- Sliced Pork with Spicy Garlic Sauce
Pinot Gris – Going for uber-spicy? A chilled, crisp Pinot Gris is the perfect accompaniment for some of our most popular spicy dishes:
- Chicken with Explosive Chili Pepper
- Fish Filet in Hot Chili Oil
- Spicy Clams
Chardonnay – The versatile Chardonnay is one of the most popular wines, and with good reason. The light, balanced flavors of Chardonnay go well with just about everything on the menu. But we especially like it with:
- Spicy Dumplings with Pork & Cabbage
- Kung Pao Prawns
Cabernet Sauvignon – The most popular red wine is full-bodied with hints of dark cherry and currants. It works great with our rich, flavorful dishes:
- Cumin Lamb
- Tea Smoked Duck
At Z & Y, you can choose from a menu of dozens wines representing Sonoma and Napa valleys and beyond. Or, bring your own bottle from your visit to Wine Country! ($25 Corkage fee applies)
The Michelin-recommended Z & Y Restaurant is located at 655 Jackson Street near Grant, in Chinatown.
Z & Y Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, and reservations are recommended at OpenTable or by calling (415) 981-8988.
Written by,
Grier McCurdy Mathews
