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Spicy & Asian · Wine pairing

What wine goes with chinese food?

A takeout spread works best with flexible, fruity wines: off-dry Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chenin Blanc. Choose Zinfandel for barbecue pork and sweet sauces.

The rule: Many dishes, one table: pick versatile, fruity wines with acidity.

By Rate This Wine editors · Updated · How we rate

Chinese food

The 3 best wines with chinese food

  1. Riesling

    1 Riesling Aromatic white, dry to sweet

    Off-dry Riesling handles sweet-and-sour, Szechuan heat and soy.

    Serve 45-50°F From $12

  2. Pinot Noir

    2 Pinot Noir Light-bodied red

    Ideal with Peking duck, char siu and mushroom dishes.

    Serve 55-60°F Decent from $15; good from $25; Burgundy can be any price

  3. Chenin Blanc

    3 Chenin Blanc Medium white, dry to sweet

    Off-dry Vouvray loves orange chicken and dumplings.

    Serve 45-52°F From $12

Best on a budget: Riesling and a Chilean Pinot Noir cover most takeout menus.

Also good

ZinfandelGewürztraminerRoséProsecco

What to avoid

  • Big oaky Cabernet. Fights soy and spice.

It depends how you cook it

If you’re having…Pour
General Tso’s / orange chickenOff-dry Riesling or Chenin Blanc.
Kung paoRiesling or Gewürztraminer.
Beef with broccoliPinot Noir or Zinfandel.
Dim sumChampagne or Prosecco.

Frequently asked questions

What wine goes with Chinese takeout?

Off-dry Riesling is the most versatile. Pinot Noir is the best red.

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