Sip of the Day

生日快乐! Today, February 12th, is Chinese New Year! This marks the beginning of the Year of the Ox, which was also the animal that marked the year I was born. The start of the Chinese New Year is marked with a large festival, known colloquially as the Spring Festival. Traditionally, grandparents and parents give their children red envelopes (known as hongbao) that are filled with money. Additionally, the festival is celebrated by the igniting of fireworks and firecrackers – (the show I was able to witness in Yunnan put any 4th of July show I’ve ever seen to shame.) Unfortunately, almost all Chinese New Year parties this year will be extremely tame compared to previous iterations. However, you’ll still be able to ring in the new year by toasting with the Louis Jadot Chassagne-Montrachet. This excellent Burgundian white is 100% Chardonnay and comes from one of the five villages that comprise the Côte des Blancs. This wine pairs great with cuisine from the Far East – I’d recommend drinking it with pork dumplings and Peking duck.