Start the year with something real. No heavy makeup, just honest wine.
In Hong Kong, the Lunar New Year table is a chaotic, beautiful symphony of flavors. From the sweet tang of Lou Hei to the umami bomb of soy sauce chicken, it’s a sensory overload.
This year, as we welcome the Year of the Horse (2026), we are skipping the industrial, mass-produced bottles. The horse symbolizes energy, freedom, and untamed spirit—traits that perfectly define Natural Wine.
1. The Opener: Prosperity Toss (撈起) x Pet-Nat
The "Lou Hei" is all about the toss—the higher, the better. You need a wine that matches this electric energy. Forget stiff Champagne; you want a Pet-Nat (Pétillant Naturel). Its raw, rustic bubbles mirror the excitement of the toss, cutting through the sweet plum sauce with laser-sharp acidity.
The Pour: Particella 128
Vibe: Precise, Elegant, Alive. Fine bubbles, crisp acidity, and a savory undertone cleanse the palate after every bite of raw fish and crackers.
2. The Theme: Year of the Horse x Chilled Red
Red wine at CNY doesn't have to be a heavy, oaky Bordeaux that puts you to sleep. This is the Year of the Horse—we want energy. We want Chilled Reds.
The Pour: Trojan Horse 2023
Vibe: The conversation starter. It’s bursting with red berries and spice and pairs effortlessly with Turnip Cake (蘿蔔糕).
3. The Main Event: Soy Sauce Chicken x Premium Orange Wine
Soy Sauce Chicken (豉油雞) is deep, savory, and rich. A white wine might get lost; a heavy red might clash. The answer? Orange Wine (Skin-contact White).
The Pour: NEANDERTHAL
Wild, prehistoric, and unforgettable. With six months of skin contact, it is a deep, textured orange wine that acts almost like a light red.
The Alternative: Don Pippinu 2021, Vini Scirto
Volcanic soul from old Etna vines, with a mineral backbone that stands up to rich sauces.
Shopping Tips: The Earth Wine Way
Navigating wine shops during CNY is stressful. At The Earth Wine, we curate for Taste over Status.
- Real Wine Only: Every bottle we sell is low-intervention, additive-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Next-Day Delivery: Order online and get the wines to your door before the first visitor arrives.
Serving Tip: Pet-Nats & Whites: ice bucket cold. Reds & Orange: cool, around 20 minutes in the fridge before serving.
A Toast to the Year of the Horse
May your 2026 be filled with prosperity, joy, and wines that make you feel something. The best pairings are the ones that spark conversation and bring people together.
