What Goes Well with Ox?
Tatler Hong Kong|January 2021
Searching for an appropriate gift for the Chinese New Year, our resident wine expert finds there’s more to consider than white or red
Sarah Helller MW
What Goes Well with Ox?

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are over, and you may be part way through Dry January by now, but the big season for wine gifting in Asia still lies ahead.

Every Chinese New Year, the cheesier element among the world’s wine producers pumps out container loads of bottles emblazoned with the coming year’s zodiac animal (this year, beginning February 12 in China, at least it’s an ox, a far easier sell than 2020’s rat). But what if you don’t want to be one of those gifters indifferently flinging bottles of ox-labelled red at everyone in their contact list?

Here’s how to think up some fun or even slightly off-piste ideas for wine gifts without accidentally offending everyone you know.

First of all, be realistic about your own level of wine knowledge. If you’re a novice, it’s better to invest your time in making a single, imaginative (and reasonably priced) choice, rather than try to personalise gifts for each of your friends, especially if your gift list is longer than ten. Since no one expects the wine you send to be the next sleeper cult hit, the pressure is off and you can actually have some fun with your choices, indulging in some Lunar New Year symbolism or punning. Rather than something safe and snooze-worthy, start with a wine style you know most of your crowd enjoys and then give it a little twist to earn you cred from the wine geeks (if you can’t be bothered to do the work, I’ve done it for you below).

This story is from the January 2021 edition of Tatler Hong Kong.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2021 edition of Tatler Hong Kong.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TATLER HONG KONGView All
THE LAST WORD
Tatler Hong Kong

THE LAST WORD

Every issue, we ask our cover star a round of quickfire questions that give us a little more insight into their personalities. This month: Takashi Murakami

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024
GOING WITH THE FLOW
Tatler Hong Kong

GOING WITH THE FLOW

How does one approach the ancient philosophy of feng shui in a modern way? Three leading Hong Kong-based designers share their thoughts on this revered art of placement and how to introduce its principles into our spaces

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
SCENE MAKER
Tatler Hong Kong

SCENE MAKER

Italian architect Antonio Citterio reflects on his enduring collaboration with Maxalto and how far the furniture brand has come since its early beginnings

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
MODERN FAMILY
Tatler Hong Kong

MODERN FAMILY

Kourtney Kardashian's California sanctuary by famed designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, is where elegance meets comfort

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
A TO Z COSMETIC TREATMENTS
Tatler Hong Kong

A TO Z COSMETIC TREATMENTS

From Botox to glass skin facials, here are the most talked-about cosmetic treatments to know

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024
CHANGING THE GAME
Tatler Hong Kong

CHANGING THE GAME

Our world is ever-changing, and so is the way we experience it. Tatler explores how the travel industry is adapting to the needs and values of a new generation

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
ACTS OF SERVICE
Tatler Hong Kong

ACTS OF SERVICE

Go on, then. Ask Vea and Wing's chef-owner Vicky Cheng what his love language is

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2024
THE BIRTH OF A MOVEMENT
Tatler Hong Kong

THE BIRTH OF A MOVEMENT

More women are taking back their birthing experience and their power by challenging the institutionalised norms surrounding childbirth, honouring the healing process and leaning on the magic of sisterhood

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 2024
THE RIGHT INGRDIENTS
Tatler Hong Kong

THE RIGHT INGRDIENTS

Oscar nominee Tran Anh Hung, who won Best Director at Cannes last year, evolves the language of cinema to present the simple beauty of Vietnam

time-read
7 mins  |
March 2024
THIRST TRAP
Tatler Hong Kong

THIRST TRAP

Marilyn Minter takes an exclusive self-portrait for Tatler and reminds the world why raw, honest, non-conforming beauty is the most compelling kind

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2024