One grape variety that has become increasingly popular in recent years is Delaware.
This white grape produces high-quality wines with refreshing aromas, fruit-derived sweetness, and crisp acidity.
Another strength of Delaware is that it pairs easily with a wide range of cuisines.
This time, we introduce a pairing of Delaware wine with reimen, the cold noodles that become especially tempting as temperatures rise.
Culinary expert Kinuko Oda has created a refreshing cold-noodle recipe designed specifically for Delaware.
Pairing with Sparkling Delaware
Delaware is a white Vitis labrusca grape of American origin that arose through natural crossing.
Wines from labrusca varieties were once avoided by some drinkers because of their distinctive flavors, but advances in viticulture and winemaking have led to a growing number of high-quality examples in recent years.
Dry Delaware wines often show clearly defined fruit aromas such as green apple, citrus, peach, and melon, giving them a bright, expressive impression.
They tend to have a gentle mouthfeel and fruit-derived sweetness together with fresh acidity.
The finish is refreshing yet structured, offering more than simple aromatic charm.
Delaware is also frequently made in medium-sweet and sweet styles, often combining tropical fruit character and sweetness with lingering fresh acidity.
Some producers also make orange wines by leaving the juice in contact with the skins for a period of time, so the variety can appear in a broad range of styles.
Delaware can be delicious on its own, but it is particularly worth exploring at the table.
Many examples are gentle rather than overpowering, with refreshing aroma, subtle sweetness, moderate acidity, and a clean finish.
Herbal nuances and umami can also be present, making Delaware an excellent match for Japanese and ethnic cuisines.
Because this feature focuses on Delaware as the center of the pairing, we selected sparkling wines, which are especially versatile with food.
Here are pairings designed for two styles: one dry and one sweet.
Cold-Noodle Recipes to Pair with Delaware
Cold noodles are one of the foods many people start craving as the weather heats up.
Spicy reimen is delicious, but on hot days a light, refreshing version without strong heat can be just as appealing.
With Delaware’s flavor profile in mind, culinary expert Kinuko Oda created these “cold-noodle recipes that pair with Delaware.”
Japanese-Style Cold Noodles with Shrimp and Prosciutto
- Ingredients — Serves 2
Cold noodles … 2 packs
Cooked shrimp … 6
Prosciutto … 6 slices
Shiso leaves, julienned … 3
Lemon slices … 2
Japanese long onion … 5 cm
A
Water … 400 ml
Kombu tea powder … 2 tsp
Shiro-dashi … 2 tbsp
Olive oil and black pepper … to taste
- Method
- Combine the ingredients for A and chill in the refrigerator. Cut the long onion into fine lengthwise strips, soak in water, and drain to make shiraga-negi.
- Cook the cold noodles according to the package directions, then chill thoroughly in cold water.
- Place the noodles in bowls and pour over the chilled soup from step 1.
- Top with shrimp, prosciutto, shiso, lemon, and shredded onion. Drizzle with olive oil and finish with black pepper.
- Point
★The soup is based on kombu tea and shiro-dashi, with olive oil and black pepper added. Shrimp and prosciutto provide savory saltiness, while onion and shiso add freshness. Lemon juice brings extra acidity.
- Pairing
★Pair this Japanese-style cold noodle dish with a dry Delaware. The wine adds a fresh dimension to the soup, creating an additive pairing in which each element builds on the other. The harmony between the umami of the kombu broth and the wine, along with the balance of saltiness from shrimp and prosciutto, is excellent. The lingering aroma of shiso and other condiments leaves a refreshing early-summer impression.
Ethnic-Style Cold Noodles with Chicken
- Ingredients — Serves 2
Cold noodles … 2 packs
Salad chicken, shredded by hand … 50 g
Cucumber, julienned … 1/4
Red onion, thinly sliced … 1/8
Cilantro, roughly chopped … 1 plant
Mint … 1/6 pack
Kiwi slices … 2
A
Water … 400 ml
Chicken-stock powder … 1 tsp
Fish sauce … 2 tbsp
Grated ginger … 1 tsp
Lemon juice … 1 1/2 tbsp
Sugar … 1 tsp
Sesame oil … 2 tsp
- Method
- Combine the ingredients for A to make the soup and chill it in the refrigerator.
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions, then chill in cold water.
- Place the noodles in bowls and pour over the soup from step 1.
- Top with salad chicken, cucumber, onion, kiwi, cilantro, and mint, then drizzle with sesame oil.
- Point
★This cold noodle dish has an ethnic-inspired profile. The soup combines chicken stock with fish sauce, lemon juice, and grated ginger. Salad chicken adds saltiness, while cilantro, mint, and Zespri RubyRed kiwi bring aromatic and fruity accents.
- Pairing
★Pair the ethnic-style cold noodles with a slightly sweet Delaware. The wine’s fresh aroma and sweetness match well with cilantro, mint, and Zespri RubyRed kiwi. Delaware’s sweetness softens the distinctive flavor of fish sauce and the sharpness of red onion, rounding out the overall impression. Its sweet-tart character also deepens the flavor of the chicken-based broth.
Conclusion
Delaware is an exceptionally food-friendly grape that can be enjoyed with a broad range of dishes.
As long as the heat is not too strong, spicy elements can work with Delaware too, so you could add kimchi or another spicy condiment to the recipes above if you like.
Delaware also pairs well with mentsuyu and ramen broth, making it interesting to try with somen, chilled soba, chilled udon, tsukemen, and similar dishes.
Take this opportunity to enjoy the combination of Delaware and cold noodles.
Reference
Culinary Expert / Molecular Nutrition Advisor
Olive Oil Sommelier
Kinuko Oda
As a culinary expert and olive oil sommelier, Oda has created numerous tapas and home-style dishes designed to highlight the individual character of wine.
She currently focuses on small-group events centered on wine and tapas.
Rather than complicated theory, she values food that can be recreated at home and is “genuinely delicious,” explaining the pleasures of wine in accessible language for beginners.
Drawing on molecular nutrition, she is also known for practical ideas that help people care for their bodies while enjoying wine, and for proposing “wine time that leaves both mind and body feeling lighter” for adult audiences.
★ Cooking Class Information