Looking for the perfect wine pairing for Chinese New Year 2026?

From festive starters to grand reunion feasts, discover how Sababay curates wine for the Year of the Fire Horse—where heritage, flavor, and togetherness meet.

Chinese New Year is more than a change in the calendar; it is a celebration of unity. It is the season when families return to the same table, familiar dishes reappear, and conversations stretch long into the night.

In 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, we welcome a cycle symbolizing energy, courage, and momentum. In the Sababay way, every reunion deserves more than just a meal. It deserves a moment.

Chinese New Year 2026 and the Meaning of Reunion

Across cultures, Chinese New Year (Imlek) represents renewal. In Indonesia, it is a time when generations gather and every detail—food, drink, and atmosphere—carries symbolic weight.

Rooted in Bali’s rhythm of mindful living, Sababay approaches the lunar new year with quiet intention. Wine becomes a companion to the reunion—enhancing the food and the people shared around the table without ever overshadowing the tradition.

The Art of Wine Pairing for Chinese New Year Dishes

The essence of a great pairing lies in balance. Chinese New Year flavors are often complex—ranging from the acidity of plum sauce to the rich umami of soy-braised meats.

1. Light Starters: Sparkling & Rosé Wines

To begin the celebration, lighter dishes such as Yee Sang, cold cuts, or seafood starters pair beautifully with:

• Sababay Ascaro Brut or Moscato de Bali Demi-Sec : The bubbles provide a refreshing contrast to crispy textures.

• Sababay Fiorosa Brut Rosé: Its brightness awakens the palate, making it an effortless opening to the feast

2. Main Dishes: The Best Red Wine for CNY Dinner

For the heart of the feast—Roast Duck, Char Siu, or Soy-Braised Pork—the Sababay Reserve Red is the natural choice.

With smooth tannins and a ripe dark fruit character, this Cabernet Sauvignon and Alphonse Lavallée blend has the structure to stand alongside savory, umami-rich dishes. It is a wine made for sharing—warm, generous, and comforting, much like the reunion table itself. For mushroom-based specialties or stir-fried noodles, the Reserve Red offers depth without overpowering the delicate ingredients.

3. Dessert & Closing Toasts: A Sweet Ending

The sweetest part of the evening—dessert and long conversations—calls for Mascetti, Sababay’s signature port-style wine.

With its luscious texture and notes of dried fruits and chocolate, Mascetti pairs perfectly with:

• Nian Gao / Kue Keranjang

• Dark chocolate desserts

• As a standalone celebratory toast

The Spirit of the Fire Horse, The Sababay Way

The Fire Horse is known for boldness and resilience. This reflects Sababay’s own journey—building a world-class winery from the volcanic soils of Bali through perseverance and belief.

As we step into 2026, our mission remains: to build patiently, grow responsibly, and honor the farmers and winemakers behind every bottle. Wine, in the Sababay way, is never about showing off. It is about bringing people closer.

"The best wine is not the rarest one. It is the one that is opened together."

Happy Chinese New Year. Welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. Welcome 2026, The Sababay Way!

Written by Shinta Purnamasari