Advice Wine Pairing for two dishes: (Meat)Balls in Peanut Sauce with Cauliflower Rice (Thai) && Chickpea Carrot Roast on Parsnip Puree - The Athan Zafirov Wine Blog

Advice Wine Pairing for two dishes: (Meat)Balls in Peanut Sauce with Cauliflower Rice (Thai) && Chickpea Carrot Roast on Parsnip Puree

For an upcoming weekend menu, I'm looking to pair some nice wines for two different meals picked by my companion. A different bottle for each is possible.

I'm aware we cook relatively non-standard but I'm trying to gain experience and see how wine can fit food. The meals are not necessarily eaten across the evenings in the order listed. Also my companion often makes changes to the recipes, e.g., we might not use an ingredient but we will use the title components.

The first is a (Meat)Balls in Peanut Sauce with Cauliflower Rice (Thai). The balls will be either chicken, beef or perhaps quorn. In any case, a (semi-)meat. Recipe: https://tararochfordnutrition.com/thai-peanut-meatballs/

The second is a Chickpea Carrot Roast on Parsnip Puree . Recipe: https://heartofabaker.com/cumin-roasted-carrots-and-chickpeas-with-vegan-parsnip-puree/

What would you recommend or which advice can you give for good pairings? What tastes to focus on, where to look for inspiration. Many and varied suggestions are welcome!

The wines at the bottom are part of my cellar that should be drunk sooner than later, where the first wines especially should go soon, so I prefer one of those if possible. I do have a large collection beyond those so feel free to propose any ideas that pop up.

My own thoughts were as follows:

The Mil Vientos Malbec with the Thai Peanut Meatballs recipe. It sounds like it has a touch of sweetness alongside a good body that might work well with the spices used in the dish (peanut and thai)

EIther the Conde De Siruela or Bodegas Olarra with the chickpea dish - Mediterranean inspired, and a dish with a strong earth and roasted focus. Unsure which one would work best though.

What do you think?

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Conde de Siruela Élite 2009 Ribera del Duero Spain Spanish Ribera Del Duero Red

Bodegas Olarra Clasico Rioja Reserva 2009 Rioja Spain Spanish Rioja Red

Merced del Estero Mil Vientos Malbec 2011 San Juan Argentina Argentinian Malbec

Château de la Commanderie Lalande-de-Pomerol 2011 Lalande-de-Pomerol France Bordeaux Pomerol

—- ~2020

Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi 2008 Taurasi Italy Southern Italy Red

Château Labégorce Château Labégorce-Zédé Margaux 2008 Margaux France Bordeaux Margaux

Le Palaie Bulizio 2009 Toscana Italy Tuscan Red

Magaña Barón de Magaña (Finca La Sarda Crianza) 2010 Navarra Spain Spanish Red

Château La Haute Borie Monbazillac Blanc 2010 Monbazillac France

Antonio & Raimondo Unico Langhe Rosso 2010 Langhe Italy Northern Italy Red

Château Vincens Origine Cahors 2011 Cahors France Southwest France Malbec

Château La Claymore Château Moulin de Fontmurée Lussac-Saint-Émilion 2011 Lussac-Saint-Émilion France Bordeaux Saint-Émilion

Château Goubau Bordeaux 2011 Bordeaux France Bordeaux Red

Alta Pavina Pinot Noir - Tempranillo 2011 Castilla y León Spain Spanish Red

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2012 Marlborough New Zealand New Zealand Pinot Noir

Gabriel Meffre Domaine de la Chapelle Gigondas 2012 Gigondas France Southern Rhône Red

Minkov Brothers Four Cycle Red Blend 2013 Thracian Valley Bulgaria

The Throne Pinot Noir High Altitude 2014 Marlborough New Zealand New Zealand Pinot Noir

Kus Van Thérèse Red Blend 2014

Trio Merlot (Carménère - Syrah) 2015 Rapel Valley Chile Chilean Merlot

Domaine de Petit Roubié Picpoul de Pinet 2017 Picpoul de Pinet France Languedoc-Roussillon White

Frati Bianchi Sparapani Salerna Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2013 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Italy Central Italy White

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For 15 years, Athan Zafirov has traveled the vineyards around the world and worked with some of the greatest chefs including Francois Duc and Alan Brown.

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