Singapore Noodles
… white wines to match …
Finding wine to match lightly spied dishes such as Singapore Noodles can be a challenge. Generally, they would not sit comfortably with Chardonnay nor Sauvignon Blanc.
Often Chardonnays contain an element of oak-ageing and this does not work with spicy foods. These toasty flavours do not work with chilli or ginger based dishes as they can taste bitter or heavy alongside them. Also, Chardonnays are often bone dry, and generally you need just a touch of residual sugar to balance chili heat.
Sauvignon Blanc’s characteristically piercing acidity can amplify the heat sensation, making the spice feel even more aggressive and sharp on the palate. The varietal’s notes of gooseberry, green pepper and herbs can seem totally out of sync resulting in flavours that seem metallic, vegetal, or bitter.
Best to avoid both of these varietals with a dish such as Singapore noodles.
Interestingly, it would seem that Singapore Noodles did not originate in Singapore. Almost certainly ‘created’ by Cantonese chefs in Hong Kong who considered using the word ‘Singapore’ added a certain cachet to the dish.
Anyway, wherever they came from, here are three wines that work to perfection:
1 - Cave de Beblenheim Pinot Gris Reserve 2023, Alsace, France
A cooperative founded in 1952 that was formed by 65 families who lived in and around the village of Beblenheim. The colour has a very faint tinge of pink: do not be put off, it is entirely natural for many wines from this varietal. Red apples, ripe pears and a slight touch of honey lift this from the bone dry stable into off-dry. It’s a very easy wine to consume with food that has just a touch of spice. Made to be drunk today. Waitrose web site states 2021, but it is actually the 2023.
£12.00 - Waitrose - Mix and match price - link
2 - Darling Cellars Old Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2022, South Africa
The cooler climate of the Darling wine region is located on the coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa, about 45 miles north of Cape Town. Rich and fleshy on the nose with flavours of peaches, apricots and fresh apples. The ripe fruit is balanced with good acidity with a touch of oak from 10 months in French barrels. It is full-bodied and would sit very comfortably alongside many spicy dishes. Much dryer than the other two wines here, it would also work to perfection with a rich seafood risotto.
£15.25 - Waitrose - Mix and match price - link
3 - Léon Beyer ‘Réserve Personnelle’ Gewürztraminer 2021, Alsace, France
The house of Leon Beyer has been trading from father to son since 1580, and produce an array of fine quality, well-crafted wines with around 75% being exported.
The Gewürztraminer grape is not grown exclusively in Alsace, but in many ways is synonymous with the region. Fragrant, spicy, with tropical fruits are some of its characteristics and it is produced in many different styles from bone-dry to rich and very sweet.
This is a more refined and much lighter style than many Gewürztraminers. Yes, there is the obvious nose, but it is subtle and certainly not overpowering. The palate is off-dry, with a rich structure and full-bodied that would match many oriental dishes as well as superb with a creamy blue cheese. It’s ready for drinking today, and would work as an aperitif with spicy prawns or a starter of avocado and crab tian with five spice mixed into the crab ‘cocktail’ element.
£21.75 - Yapp - link
