Last updated at 11:40, Saturday, 21 January 2012

I can still remember the excitement among us teens when the film Enter The Dragon hit the cinemas and Bruce Lee was unleashed.

Posters of him baring his slashed bared chest sprang up in bedrooms, flimsy black pumps and nunchucks were on sale everywhere (until a worried government realised how dangerous they were and banned them) and kung fu classes started up in every town and city.

Monday sees the start of the Chinese New Year: enter the year of the dragon.

The usual wine recommendation for a Chinese meal is to go for a lychee and Turkish delight- flavoured Gewürztraminer.

The fruity, almost perfumed flavours and hint of spice do make it a good partner, but sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and some reds are good match-ups.

But the fresh and frothy cat’s pee and gooseberries of Wild Block sauvignon blanc from New Zealand and the soft peaches and lime of Canyon Creek chardonnay from California could both deal with the spices and challenges of a Chinese meal.

Both are half price at £4.99 until Feb 5 at Morrisons.

Shredded duck is always a big favourite in our house and with that you could go for a lighter Italian red – the sweet and sour cherries of Barbera or even a plummy Montepulciano.

The duck and dishes with black bean or even oyster sauce could even be partnered with a new world pinot noir.

Tesco has a moreish, earthy, cherryish one from the Mad Bay label that has just enough tartness.

There’s also a lovely baked apple and fresh peach-flavoured chardonnay on the same label that will partner the lighter ginger-based dishes.

Both are reduced by £3 to £6.99 until February 21.

A fully-charged melons and peaches oaky chardy from Australia or Chile would work with Szechuan meals and even something like lemon chicken, but I couldn’t honestly recommend any wine to go with sweet and sour.

First published at 08:58, Saturday, 21 January 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk