By Timothy S.

It doesn’t take long for new wine-enjoyers to figure that there are norms in how to best enjoy wines that fit a profile, be it the region, the grape, or even as elementary as the colour. For example: White wines usually pair best with white meats; same can be said about red wines with red meats. I am going to introduce some wines from our exclusive brands that are exceptions to how we may perceive them from first glance.

即使你是品酒新手, 你應該都會很快發現葡萄酒美食搭配得宜是有秘訣的, 無論是酒的產地, 葡萄的種類, 甚至是顔色. 例如白酒配白肉; 紅酒配紅肉。等我就來介紹我們獨家代理的葡萄酒可以有什麽餐酒搭配的例外。

Ca N’Estruc IDOIA Negre 2016

Blended from 60% Syrah and 40% Garnacha, this wine is sure to be tannic and dry. Usually, red wines match best with red meat; perhaps pork at the palest of meats. We found that although this wine does go well with a nice steak, it also pairs well with less conventional dishes such as dumplings, vegetable soup and even chicken. Pair it yourself and give it a try! You may be surprised with the result.

由60％的Syrah和40％的Garnacha混合而成，這款酒肯定是單寧和乾爽的。紅酒通常與紅肉最匹配，又或者豬肉。儘管這種酒搭配上牛排很不錯，但原來與不太傳統的菜餚搭配，例如餃子，蔬菜湯甚至雞肉都別有一番風味。大家不妨試下！

Val D’Oca ZOJ Marzemino Rouge Dolce Spumante 

Sparkling wines are typically brilliant for hors d'oeuvres and aperitifs; rarely to be had with rich and filling meals. This bottle is no different, except for the fact that it is a red sparkling wine! With red wine comes tannins… Or so you may think. The tannins in this wine are barely noticeable either. It's almost as if someone just added red food colouring to a prosecco... 

氣泡酒通常很適合當餐前的開胃酒；而比較少配菜色豐盛的一餐。這瓶其實也是，但特別的地方就在於它是一支紅氣泡酒！而紅酒大多有單寧，但依瓶酒的單寧一點也不重，就好似一瓶加了紅色食用色素的Prosecco。 

You won’t regret broadening your horizons by giving these bottles a go; I was certainly surprised upon discovering them myself. It showed me that the world of wine isn’t always… red and white!

你一定不會後悔試依幾瓶酒；我試的時候都覺得很驚喜。因為我發現葡萄酒的世界並不是只有紅和白！