Today we were in Chinatown to learn more about what the neighbours are doing to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year, featuring Haywire’s annual themed wine to mark the occasion.
Our afternoon started off at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. I have been many times before, but each time I visit, I discover something new. Especially as today’s tour was about Chinese New Year, starting with photos from one of the annual parades from the rotating Fred Herzog exhibit. Our tour guide was a self described history buff, and spoke to lesser known facts like the clan association in benevolent centres, how they played a role in helping Chinese immigrants settle, and that still exist to this day. We also learned that the first documents of the Chinese to Canada dated from 1788. They were from Hong Kong and they came for the fur trade, instead of the heavily believed gold rush.
Our tour ended at the lion dance costume. Dating from the 1950-60, this was made from recycled material and donated to the association that preformed with it. Once it had had its run and the lion was to be retired, they simply discard it. It was believed to be bad luck to reuse a lion or dragon dance costume, so this one was actually rescued from a dumpster to be preserved and appreciated here.
We were then given the ability to explore the rest of the exhibit at our leisure. And learned that the Storytelling Centre has plans of opening a learning lab in the basement of this building.
Many of us dipped into Foo Hung Curios as a great spot for Chinese themed giftables. Their selection is curated with Asian inspired products from local makers and artists. This is also one of the only places to purchase the aforementioned wine.
The Haywire Lunar New Year Red celebrates the year of the horse with a red and gold horse label on each bottle, priced at $28.88. They aren’t intended to profit, instead the winery has its sales go to the Chinatown Foundation charity, where proceeds help to revitalize Chinatown through supporting businesses and attracting more visitors through such partnerships as this one with Haywire Winery. Located in Summerland, Haywire is one of the handful of labels under the OK Crush Pad banner. They are an organic winery focused on regenerative farming and sustainable practices. Their sister wineries include: Garnet Valley. Narrative, and Freeform.
Each year the Lunar New Year Red is a different blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, created specifically to pair with Chinese cuisine. This year’s bottle is mostly Merlot, which I did like, as I am less a fan of blends. It was personable, as it tried to accommodate a large and expansive cuisine type. Notes to focus on are red berries and red plum. A good way to learn more about its versatility was through the following family style dinner at the neighbouring Chinatown BBQ.
This year feels like full circle for Haywire. Their first Lunar New Year bottle release was in 2014, which was also the year of the horse. This was definitely my favourite of the last two years. The wine possesses a medium alcohol level and medium body with structure. Its grapes hail from a cooler climate giving it higher acidity, with high tannins. These tannins help to cut into the fattiness of the meat; thus making it food-friendly. It has a perception of sweetness with a dry nature. I thought it went especially well with the saltiness of soy sauce chicken and that the spices in red wine also matched the spices in the curry, tempering some of its heat with its mouth-watering tannins.
We sat around a lazy Susan, trying majority of the Chinatown BBQ menu. We had all their bbq favourites like roasted pork with a layer of luscious fat benefit crunchy skin. The sweet bbq pork had the caramelized coasting for a salty and sweet bite. And their famous soy chicken is only completed with their green onion and garlic sauce that we got extra of.
Lesser known dishes that make great sides and share plates is the spicy jellyfish, with its one of a kind cartilage meets gelatinous texture. Their curry fish balls that are actually spicy, and a lot larger than most. And the crunchy green vegetable to balance the feast with some freshness and colour.
And for something filling to have them all with, their fried rice is a great option with bits of bbq pork, scrambled egg, and sliced up gai lan stalk. Although it would have been nice to to have some steamed rice instead; as a better base to have with their curry beef brisket with chunks of boiled potato. It had a similar sauce to the fish balls, just more meaty with the tender beef and grainy with the softened potato.
In conclusion this was an excellent way to get into the Lunar New Year spirit, and witness first hand how Haywire and Chinatown BBQ could fit into any plans you may have.
Chinatown BBQ
130 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3
(604) 428-2626
chinatownbbq.com
