Singapore’s top sommeliers on the best wine pairings for mooncakes

When you’re among grown-ups, it doesn’t hurt to combine family time with a few bottles of good wine. If your mid-autumn festival traditions include a mooncake party, why not make it a wine-pairing event so everyone has an excuse to bust out that bottle they’ve been waiting to decant? To help you along, we asked sommeliers at Singapore’s finest restaurants for their picks to accompany the kaleidoscope of mooncakes on offer.

For fruity snow skin mooncakes like:

Marina Bay Sands’ Honey Yuzu and Taro Rose snow skin mooncakes

LUNA’s Yuzu Peach snow skin mooncakes

Perrine Fresne Champagne Extra Brut Sarmate

“A blend from a special cuvee of different vintages likely contributes to this wine’s complex flavour profile. The crisp, fresh notes with hints of peach, citrus, almond, and toast pair excellently with fruity snow skin mooncakes. Conversely, the mooncakes’ fruitiness complements the champagne's bright, nutty undertones.”

Gabriele Rizzardi, wine director, Sarika Connoisseur Cafe Pte Ltd, whose concepts include Buona Terra, Ki-sho and Cellar Sellars

Bodegas Barbadillo Oloroso Cuco 12 Years Old

“Fragrant and intense, with loads of spices, dried fruits and nutty characteristics like almonds. Oak gives it depth and adds to its richness and broadness, while aromas of orange peel, dates, figs, toffee, mocha, blood oranges, and black cherries give it complexity. This would pair well with most snow skin mooncakes.”

Kelvin Tay, general manager, Shisen Hanten

BAKED LOTUS SEED PASTE MOONCAKES LIKE:

Eu Yan Sang’s Triple Treasures Mooncake

Laderach’s Peach Oolong with Melon Seeds White Lotus Seed Mooncake

Kusuda Riesling 2020

"Hiroyaki Kusuda’s 2020 Riesling presents a delightful green apple aroma complemented by subtle hints of white peach. It has a long finish with a light phenolic grip that keeps the palate refreshed and craving more. Pairing this with a traditional baked mooncake provides a creamy texture and gentle sweetness that elevates the aromatic notes from the wine, allowing the Riesling’s aroma to shine through while gently cutting through the richness of the mooncake. The flavours meld beautifully and linger on the palate without overwhelming."  

Lesley Liu, head sommelier, Odette

Sea Smoke ‘Southing’ Pinot Noir 2021

“This young Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills in California has bright, juicy characteristics with prominent cherry notes, silky tannins, supple mouthfeel, and a refreshing palate that complement the rich, sweet flavours of a baked lotus seed paste mooncake. Its vibrant fruit profile enhances the tasting experience with a refined finish.”  

Leslie Loo, head sommelier, Born

BAKED MOONCAKES WITH LOTUS SEED PASTE AND SALTED EGG LIKE:

Wah Lok’s Mini Walnut Moontart with Egg Yolk

Raffles Hotel Singapore’s Double Yolk with Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus Paste Mooncakes

Domaine Huet Vouvray "Le Haut Lieu" Sec 2021

“This 100 per cent Chenin Blanc from Vouvray in the Loire Valley has a medium body and bright yellow hue, with aromas of yellow apple and honeysuckle on the nose. The palate offers a pleasant density with balanced notes of apple and apricot and a nutty finish, complemented by the smooth acidity of Chenin Blanc. It pairs beautifully with baked lotus seed paste with salted egg yolk mooncakes, balancing the savoury egg yolk and the creamy lotus flavours.”

Emily Chen, head sommelier, Iru Den

Kanaan Winery Riesling 2021

“Mooncakes with white lotus seed paste and egg yolk are appreciated for their rich yet delicately sweet profile, with a creamy texture that coats the palate. I’ve selected a dry, mineral-driven Riesling from Ningxia, China to balance this richness and bring out a broader spectrum of flavours. Kanaan Winery, located in Ningxia’s Helan Mountain region, is celebrated for its craft wines that truly express the area’s unique terroir, reflecting the balance of its cool climate and mineral-rich soils. The 2021 Riesling exemplifies this with its crisp acidity and distinct mineral undertones. The wine’s vibrant notes of green apple, lime, and melon, combined with a subtle chalky salinity, enhance the white lotus paste’s richness while keeping your palate fresh and lively.”

Wu Boxun, sommelier, Summer Palace

PANDAN-FLAVOURED BAKED MOONCAKES LIKE:

Keong Saik Bakery’s baked Pandan Coconut

Ya Ge’s baked Pandan

Domaine Maurice Schoech Gewurztraminer 2022, Alsace, France

“A sweet or off-dry wine is ideal for classic baked mooncakes with pandan filling. They enhance the rich, slightly earthy and fragrant characteristics of the pandan. This Gewurztraminer, known for its aromatic notes of lychee, rose petals and tropical fruits, along with a subtle hint of spice, beautifully complements the floral and creamy flavours of the pandan.”

Jimmy Teoh, sommelier, KUN Restaurant

BAKED MOONCAKE WITH RED DATE FILLING LIKE:

Andaz Singapore’s baked Red Date Jubilee

Summer Palace’s snow skin Red Date Tea with Aged Mandarin Peel

Tatenokawa Junmai Daiginjo Honryu Karakuchi, Yamagata, Japan

“Red date paste has a distinct flavour profile that is rich, sweet and slightly earthy. This is a dry, light Junmai Daiginjo with subtle spicy and savoury notes, fruity aromas and a crisp finish that will complement and balance the robust sweetness of the dense red date paste. When served chilled, it offers a refreshing mouthfeel. For those who prefer savoury notes, gently warm the sake to about 40°C to enhance its umami characteristics.”

Desmond Wong, general manager, Shoukouwa