Wines to Enjoy your Hot Pot With

Hot pot (a tradition dating back to Mongolia and China 2000 years ago) is the Chinese rendition of fondue, where raw ingredients are dipped inside a large pot of broth till they are cooked and then eaten piping hot. Undoubtedly, this way of eating started in the past when there was no electricity and huddling around a pot of steaming broth in the dead of winter, with burning firewood, helps to keep the chill out.

Today, it is something that is born out of function. For Chinese families without the time or resources to set up an elaborate New Year's feast, the hot pot is a clutch lifesaver. Little prep work is required, which makes it a hassle-free method to usher in the Lunar New Year festivities for the entire extended family and at the same time, forces the time-strapped family members caught in the rat-race, to have a conversation with their family while waiting for the food to cook.

Manda Oei, Sales Director - Since I have been based in Singapore for the past 3 & half years, I have been flying back to Jakarta each CNY to reunite with my family and to enjoy an ubiquitous hotpot. During Chinese New Year, my mum typically enjoys a semi-dry wine with our hotpot. I enjoy sharing the Louis Roederer Carte Blanche Collection 244 NV with her as this lovely bubbly from the esteemed house of Roederer hits all the right spot with its balance and finesse. It fits the celebratory mood perfectly and enhances the sweetness of the white meat dipped in the hotpot. The Domaine Schlumberger Les Princes Abbes Riesling is another well-loved wine for the family as we find this versatile and appealing with the various dishes.

Christine Chang, Sales Manager - Each Chinese New Year, my family loves to eat the Eight Treasure rice pudding which is my traditonal dessert made of glutinous rice and 8 different types of dried fruits, raisins and sweets. However, with my friends, we do enjoy a few bottles of wine with our hotpot. I would recommend to start with Schlumberger Pinot Gris Kitterlé Grand Cru. Rich wine with notes of yellow fruits and honey, blends well with the home-cooked hotpot broth and the dipping sauce... A pairing my parents simply adores! The Domaine Faiveley Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuees is another great choice as it is versatile to pair with all kind of meats in addition to seafood!

Francois Barel, Sales Manager - Hot Pot is one of the imperative meals my in-laws enjoy every Lunar New Year.  Sharing a few lovely bottles over the meal adds on to the celebratory mood of the spring festival.  With the variety of seafood in the broth, the E.Guigal Condrieu is a good match as it displays medium to full-bodied structure with notes of anise, melon & white flowers.  Alternatively, a stimulating German Pinot Noir like the Diel Caroline Pinot Noir which at the same time is delicate due to the cool climate, works up a divine pairing with the seasoned meats!!

Von Tay, Sales Manager - Each year, I round up all my friends who loves spicy hotpot and we prepare two types of stock for the evening : the tangy Mala (from Szechuan pepper) and the classic chicken broth. The delicate sweetness of the Schlumberger Kitterle Gewurztraminer Grand Cru will hold its own with the pleasurable but spicy Mala broth. The appetizing chicken broth, together with the flavourful dipping sauces, will go well with the lively acidity of the Amelia Park Reserve Chardonnay.