Wine Road Podcast: Gio Balistreri, Owner & Winemaker at Russian River Vineyards

Episode 225: Gio Balistreri, Owner & Winemaker at Russian River Vineyards

Wine Road Podcast: Oded Shakked, Owner & Winemaker of Longboard Vineyards

 Episode 224: Oded Shakked, Owner & Winemaker of Longboard Vineyards

Drink This With That: Vietnamese Cuisine

 

Welcome back to Drink This with That—This month we explore wine pairing options for the vibrant world of Vietnamese cuisine.

The iconic dishes of Vietnamese cuisine offer a literal garden of delights with a harmonious blend of fresh herbs, spices, with flavors ranging from spicy and sweet to sour, and savory umami notes.

Vietnamese Cuisine is lighter and more subtle utilizing herbs and light broths versus Thai cuisine, which is bolder, spicier and more intense. Characteristic ingredients include lemongrass, ginger, mint, coriander, Saigon cinnamon, bird’s eye chili, lime, and Thai basil leaves. Many dishes are low in sugar and dairy and primarily rice based using rice flour and rice-based noodles rather than what based, making them naturally gluten free.

Search for compatible wines here www.wineroad.com/wineries

Vietnamese Cuisine & Wine Pairing Recommendations

Fresh and Herbaceous

Goi cuon

Salad rolls made from rice sheets filled with rice vermicelli, fresh raw vegetables and herbs, and prawns or other seafood.

+  Sauvignon Blanc / Pinot Grigio / Sparkling Rosé

Bánh mi

Vietnamese sandwich made with a crusty baguette filled with meats like pork or chicken, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and spicy mayonnaise or pate.

+ Sauvignon Blanc / Gewurztraminer /Pinot Noir/ Pinot Meunier

Savory and Umami

Cha gio

Fried, crispy spring roll typically wrapped with rice paper, filled with ground pork and vegetables.

+ Rosé of Grenache/ Skin Contact Pinot Gris/ Sparkling Blanc de Blancs

Bánh Xèo

Vietnamese crepes, traditionally stuffed with pork belly, shrimp, mung beans and bean sprouts.

+ Brut Rosé Sparkling / Gewürztraminer

Pho

Vietnamese soup dish consisting of light and aromatic broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat – usually thinly sliced beef, and sometimes chicken; garnished with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili.

+ Pinot Blanc / Unoaked Chardonnay / Pinot Noir

Cha ca La Vong

Grilled fish marinated with turmeric, galangal, fermented rice and other ingredients, served with scallion and dill.

+ Chardonnay / Viognier / Marsanne Roussanne

Spicy and Sour

Bun Cha: Grilled Pork Meatballs served over rice noodles with a light and sweet dipping sauce.

+ Dry Rosé / Cabernet Franc/ Skin Contact Ribolla Gialla

Wine Road Podcast: Joy Sterling, Partner & CEO of Iron Horse Vineyards

Episode 223: Joy Sterling, Partner & CEO of Iron Horse Vineyards

Wine Road Podcast: Michael LeComte, founder of Oak Tree Winery

 

Episode 222: Michael LeComte, founder of Oak Tree Winery

Drink This With That: Dumplings

Welcome back to Drink This with That—a new feature about what to drink with specific foods and international cuisines. Each month we will highlight a particular food or dish with pairing options and a link to the Wine Road searchable database to find the wines we recommend from the tried and true, to the options that add a bit of a twist to the standard pairing.

This month we explore wine pairing options for the many varieties of Dumplings.

Dumplings as we know them today came west from China across Mongolia, Russia and Georgia. And supposedly Marco Polo brought them to us, who most likely came across them when he traveled extensively along the Silk Road during the Mongol Empire.

From Georgian Khinkali to Japanese Gyoza— just about every culture has a dumpling featuring a specific wrapper, filling and cooking method. Be it potstickers, kreplach, pierogi’s, even ravioli; the dumpling has a range of flavors and textures that allow for wonderful wine pairings.

Pairing tips: Fillings matter, aim to match wine flavors to dumpling fillings. Look for contrast with texture, balance tender dumplings with crisp wines. Also consider traditional pairings from the specific dumpling place of origin, I’ve added a few that are classic. (And when in doubt, choose Sparkling wine—it goes with everything.)

Search for compatible wines here www.wineroad.com/wineries

 

Dumplings & Wine Pairing Recommendations

Gyoza: (Potstickers) Japanese pan-fried dumplings, crispy bottom, tender top typically filled with pork and vegetables

+ Sake: traditional pairing for Japanese dumplings

+ Gewürztraminer: spicy and floral notes enhance pork or vegetable fillings

+ Riesling: acidity balances richness and savory flavors

+ Pinot Noir: light-bodied and earthy notes enhance umami flavors

 

Jiaozi: Chinese Steamed Dumplings: delicate, tender, and often filled with pork or vegetables

+ Pinot Grigio: crisp acidity complements delicate flavors

+ Gewürztraminer: spicy and floral notes enhance pork or vegetable fillings

+ Sparkling wine: effervescence pairs with tender texture

Khinkali: Georgian twisted knots of dough filed with meat, vegetables and spices

+ Skin Contact Chardonnay or Grenache Blanc: adds depth, texture and acidity

+ Riesling: acidity balances richness and savory flavors

+ Georgian Saperavi (traditional pairing) or Malbec: dark fruits complement savory flavors

Kreplach: Jewish Boiled Dumplings: hearty, comforting, and often served in soup

+ Chardonnay: buttery and oaky notes complement hearty broth

+ Merlot: plum flavors enhance comforting, savory flavors

+ Sparkling wine: effervescence cuts through richness

Mandu: Korean steamed or fried dumplings, filled with meat, kimchi, or vegetables

+ Korean Chamisul: Traditional pairing; a type of Soju distilled from sweet potatoes

+ Pinot Grigio: crisp acidity complements delicate flavors

+ Grenache-based Rosé: fruity and refreshing

Recipe: Khinkali Dumplings with Black Mission Fig Tkemali Sauce – offered by Spicy Vines

Wine Road Podcast: WIN 3 MORE TASTE AWARDS in 2025!

 

Thrilled that the Wine Road Podcast has won three more Taste Awards for 2025! Beth and I went to L.A. for the Taste Awards ceremony to receive our medals for:

Best Lifestyle Podcast

Narsi David Award - Best Food Drink Broadcast

Best Food Drink Podcast

 Cheers to all our listeners!