Canada is a country built on diversity, where cultures from around the world come together to create a rich, shared experience, especially when it comes to food. We believe in celebrating where we come from – in particular, this tradition of maintaining a cultural mosaic allows us to explore new traditions and flavours, all while understanding and celebrating our differences.
One of the best ways to come together and enjoy these global dishes is by pairing them with the right Canadian riesling. From the fragrant spices of Gà Xào Sả (Vietnamese lemongrass chicken) to the buttery richness of French Sole Meunière, the comforting heat of Thai Khao Soi, and the fresh zest of Peruvian Ceviche, we’re taking a culinary journey around the world, one dish and one glass at a time.
Dish 1: Aromatic & Irresistible (Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken)
Redtail Vineyards 2023 Sparkling Riesling is made with grapes hailing from the Niagara Peninsula, creating a wonderful pairing with Gà Xào Sả (Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken). Because of its bright acidic quality, citrus-driven flavours, and refreshing bubbles, complementing the dish’s sweet, savoury, and aromatic elements.
Why You Need To Try This Pairing
The coconut water, fish sauce, and brown sugar create a slightly sweet and umami-rich glaze on the chicken. The refreshing brightness of the sparkling riesling cuts through this richness, preventing the dish from feeling heavy and keeping the palate refreshed.
Additionally, the stony minerality in the sparkling riesling enhances the earthy, umami depth of the fish sauce and ginger, highlighting the nuances of the dish without overpowering it.
Finally, the dish and wine share “aromatic synergy” with their floral and herbal elements. The apple blossom and white flower aromas in the wine complement the fragrant lemongrass and cilantro in the dish, and the touch of lime juice in the chicken mirrors the citrus-driven profile of the wine, tying everything together.
Dish 2: Buttery & Delicate (French Sole Meuniere)
Henry of Pelham 2022 'Dry River' Estate Riesling is a beautiful match for Julia Child’s classic Sole Meunière dish because of its tartness, citrusy freshness, and expressive fruitiness, which balance the richness of the butter while enhancing the delicate flavours of the fish.
Source: Little Ferraro Kitchen
Why You Need To Try This Pairing
Sole Meunière consists of lightly battered sole fillets pan-fried in clarified butter, and finished with a lemony caper sauce.
The wine’s zesty lemon and grapefruit notes provide the necessary acidity to cut through the richness, keeping the dish light and balanced, while the lemon in the sauce mirrors the wine’s grapefruit, lemon, and lime blossom flavours, creating a delicious flavour harmony between the dish and the wine.
The round mouthfeel of the riesling complements the tender, flaky texture of the sole, making each bite and sip feel smooth and well-integrated. On top of this, the briny, slightly tangy capers catch the underlying minerality of the wine, enhancing the savoury and slightly salty elements of the dish.
Additionally, while the dish itself is fairly simple, the wine’s mango and peach notes add a hint of fruitiness that lifts the flavours, preventing the pairing from feeling too one-dimensional.
To end things off, the fresh parsley in the dish echoes the wine’s floral and herbaceous undertones, creating an extra layer of freshness.
Dish 3: Silk & Spice (Thai Khao Soi)
TIME Family of Wines 2021 Chronos Riesling creates an unbelievable tasting experience with Khao Soi because its refreshing and brisk acidity, floral and citrus notes, and touch of minerality that provides the perfect counterbalance to the dish’s rich, spicy, and coconut-infused flavours.
Why You Need to Try This Pairing
Khao Soi is a delicious curry noodle soup made with a coconut milk base that is rich and velvety, while the riesling’s crisp acidity cuts through the creaminess, keeping the palate refreshed for every bite.
The fish sauce, soy sauce, and shrimp paste in Khao Soi bring deep umami complexity, while the riesling’s minerality complements these savoury elements without competing with them.
Additionally, the honeycrisp apple and floral notes in the riesling offer a hint of sweetness that helps tame the heat from the dish.
All in all, Khao Soi has a bold, complex flavour profile, and the wine’s light body ensures it enhances, rather than overwhelms, the dish.
Dish 4: Cool & Ocean-Fresh
Grab a bottle of Tightrope Winery 2022 Riesling to go with a tangy bowl of Ceviche de Pescado. Together, they create an exciting tasting experience that makes a great appetizer for your next dinner party.
Why You Need to Try This Pairing
While ceviche is a “no-cook” dish, the lime juice is essential for “cooking” the fish. Because of this, the wine’s lime and green apple notes enhance the tangy freshness in the dish.
The riesling’s pineapple undertones subtly counterbalance the heat from the Chili pepper, adding just enough fruity softness to mellow the spice. Additionally, the mineral-driven character of Canadian wine enhances the natural brininess of the fish, much like a squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of sea salt would.
Together, this pairing lifts your mood and excites the taste buds, leaving a tasting impression.
Bringing the World to Canadian Tables
Food has always been at the heart of cultural connection, and in Canada, sharing meals from different traditions is a way we come together. When we discover new dishes and learn to pair them with our Canadian wine, this experience connects us to the people and places behind these recipes. These four riesling pairings celebrate the beauty of our multicultural table, proving that no matter where a dish originates, the right wine can help them shine brighter. Next time you uncork a bottle of riesling, let it take you on a journey – because in Canada, every meal we share is an opportunity to explore the world.
