Virtually tasty: Chinese food and wine pairings

The first tasting of the Bordeaux 2009 vintage begins on March 30 and the wine world is anticipating a strong Asian wine market. Hong Kong, considered the 'culinary capital of Asia,' has been celebrating wine and food with its annual Wine and Dine Month in November and the Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in May.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) offers an online tool, complimentary guidebook and smartphone application to simplify your Chinese culinary world exploration. 

Lau Chi Sun, editor-in-chief of Winenow Monthly, a Hong Kong-based international wine publication, has also created an interactive guide for menu planning with wine pairings and regional Chinese cuisine including Cantonese, Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan and Northwestern Chinese cuisine. The site is easy to use: just click on the photo of what looks delicious or your favorite Chinese cuisine and a number of international wine suggestions pop up with explanations of how they can enhance your Chinese meal along with a description of the regional foods.

The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC) awarded the best international wines that perfectly matched classic Chinese dishes at the inaugural event in November 2009; here are the winning combinations for your next tasting:

Braised Abalone pair with Jacob's Creek Sparkling Rosé
Kung Pao Chicken pair with Martin & Weyrich Moscato Allegro 2007
Dim Sum pair with Wairau River Pinot Gris 2009
Peking Duck pair with Judas Malbec 2006

Access Sun's interactive guide on HKTB site: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/dining/foodwine-pairing.html
"Superb Guide to Chinese Cuisine & Wine Pairing" is the handheld version for your smartphone, to get the application on a variety of devices; fill out an online information form here: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/jsp/interactive/wine-dining-guide.jsp
If you are planning to be in Hong Kong and are looking for dining guides for local delicacies, Hong Kong must-tastes and the ins to where international and local celebrities dine, go to: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/dining/dining-guides.html
Complete list of Cathay Pacific Hong Kong IWSC winners: http://www.asiasbestwinesandspirits.com/Listoftrophies