Gangloff - Chave - Clape
By Vivian Liang | November 2, 2018
As the Autumnal chill arrives, my appetite for richer meat to warm the soul sets in! In particular, lamb stew is my cold weather fix and is a dish that is in every Hong Kong local’s blood and culture.
The traditional method of slow cooking transforms firmer lamb cuts into melting tenderness, with assorted herbs and spices adding exotic flavors and extra richness to the sauce. This hearty dish pairs unbelievably well with Syrah - yet - not all Syrah (Shiraz)! The perfect partners, in my humble opinion, are Syrahs from Northern Rhone. Their iconic savoriness and spiciness sings with the herbs in the stew and their acidity cuts through the fattiness of the lamb. This is a perfect balance and complement of flavors.
From North to South, I have picked out a couple of star producers from our growing portfolio of wines from the Rhone for you to enjoy this season. My personal highlights are off-the-beaten-path producer Yves Gangloff, who produces superb wines of amazing purity and they are already commanding a cult following. The Hermitage icon Domaine Chave makes a bright and delicious Saint Joseph that marries perfectly well with not just lamb but a wide range of local stir-fried dishes. Finally on the more muscular side of Syrah is the Cornas pioneer and a legend, Auguste Clape, who sadly passed away earlier this year. These stunning wines are famed for their power of fruits, that have the ability to evolve over decades with complex and savory pepper and black fruit notes.
I urge you to get the hotpot out and enjoy a bottle from one of these great producers with your lamb!
Please enjoy our selection below:
