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Napa Vintners mark Chinese New Year
Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) has released two Chinese-inspired recipes to pair with the region’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines to mark the start of the Chinese New Year tomorrow.
Velvet Shrimp with Sugar Snap Peas
Developed by The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the prestigious US cooking school with a campus in the heart of Napa Valley, the Chinese Food and Wines from the Napa Valley project was created to explore the potential for pairing Chinese flavours with two of the Napa Valley’s most widely produced wines.
Napa Valley was the first wine region in the world to receive Geographic Indication (GI) status under Chinese law, providing critical brand protection in this rapidly growing wine market. Napa Valley Vintners has been sending trade missions of vintners to China for more than 15 years and although Napa Valley accounts for just four percent of California’s wine production, approximately 25 percent of NVV member wineries are exporting to China.
In working to develop these recipes, unexpected affinities with Napa Valley Cabernets and Chardonnays came into play, creating opportunities to taste both the recipes and the wines in a new way.
“When a few thoughtful flavour adjustments and cooking techniques are combined, Chinese-inspired foods can beautifully complement Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays,” noted Chef Bill Briwa of the CIA. “Living and working in Napa Valley, it is interesting to taste wines from this wine region complementing Chinese flavour profiles.”
Lion’s Head Meatballs
One of the recipes, Lion’s Head Meatballs, is often served during the multi-day New Year festivities. The other, Velvet Shrimp with Sugar Snap Peas, includes seafood, an ingredient commonly used in family celebrations. Traditionally, some seafood is left uneaten to signify abundance in the year ahead.
To create these celebratory dishes and view the tasting notes for the accompanying Napa Valley wines, follow these links below:
Velvet Shrimp with Sugar Snap Peas