Zesty Australian Riesling Cuts Through Ham Hock Chow Mein
For Matt Tebbutt’s ham hock with yellow bean sauce chow mein, Olly Smith selected Pikes Traditionale Riesling 2024 from Australia’s Clare Valley – pairing acidity, texture and aromatic lift with rich, savoury Asian flavours. This is a wine that thrives on contrast, using its bone-dry profile and citrus intensity to slice through pork richness while harmonising with fermented bean complexity.
The Wine: Clare Valley’s Lime-Driven Classic
Pikes Traditionale Riesling is sourced primarily from the esteemed Polish Hill River vineyards in South Australia’s Clare Valley, with additional fruit from Watervale, Mintaro and Sevenhill. This cool-climate region produces bone-dry Rieslings bursting with green lime, lime pith, green apple and citrus zest, all underpinned by a mineral, talc-like texture that adds elegance and detail. The 2024 vintage delivers generous green melon flesh, lemongrass and lime concentrate, with a softer, more approachable style than some years yet retaining that signature Clare Valley tension and intensity. At around £20–25, it’s exceptional value for a wine that will age gracefully for 10+ years.
Why It Complements Ham Hock Chow Mein
Handling the pork and noodles: Ham hock is rich, gelatinous and deeply savoury; the wine’s light body and fine minerality provide textural contrast without competing, while moderate alcohol (11.5%) keeps the pairing refreshing rather than heavy.
Cutting through yellow bean sauce: Yellow bean sauce brings fermented, salty umami richness that can overwhelm softer wines. The Riesling’s razor-sharp acidity and citrus tang cut straight through that intensity, cleansing the palate and preventing flavour fatigue.
Complementing aromatic ingredients: Chow mein’s ginger, garlic, spring onion and soy are echoed by the wine’s lemongrass, lime zest and subtle herbaceous notes, creating a seamless aromatic bridge between dish and glass.
This pairing proves Australian Riesling’s versatility with global cuisines—seek it out at specialist retailers for a revelatory match with Matt’s East-meets-West comfort food.