Food is a language that everyone can relate. It is a common element for all cultures. The common celebrated foods in America are barbecue, hot dogs, and burgers for gatherings, Turkey for Thanksgiving, etc. Vietnamese go all out during family gatherings. In fact after you review this article, you will discover at least three secrets about Vietnamese holiday culture and cuisine that you have never heard about until now.

Vietnamese are very particular about their food. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizzas are great but they do not hold candles to traditional Vietnamese cuisine during holiday celebrations or family gatherings. Vietnamese loves to celebrate and socialize around food and beer. Vietnam is bound by the South China Sea. There is a plethora of seafood. We celebrate heartily with all different types of seafood. We eat until we drop. Seafood is the most celebrated traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

During family gatherings, exotic Vietnamese cuisine usually surfaces. Traditional Vietnamese cuisine can be as simple as boiled crab legs or as exotic as duck blood pie or frog curry. Yes, dog meat comes to mind when Vietnamese celebrate holidays. However, dog meat is commonly served in Vietnam and not in America. While others are still milling on the food, the karaoke begins. All the young and old chime in with different generations of music ranging from classical Vietnamese songs to today’s latest American pop songs. Good times are had by all during family gatherings.

Chardonnay is a great way to make sure your wine is a great compliment to your dish. Chardonnay is best with a seafood that uses a creamy sauce. This may turn out to not be a great choice if your using multiple seafood items for your meal.

German Riesling wine is a great overall wine to add to a seafood meal, because it is extremely mild in taste compared to most and it will bring out the flavors of the seafood. German Riesling has been known to have lingering taste which helps greatly with oysters and shrimp.

If you are looking for a wine to win over any seafood meal, sparkling wine is the way to go. It will compliment most meals, no matter how complex the dish is. Any fried seafood or any caviar will taste delicious with this wine. Sparkling wine, no matter where it comes from, also will be a favorite among guests who are not normal wine drinkers. It has been matched with all seafood from simple cooked oysters to very elaborate meals with almost a zero failure rate, which is something rarely found among wines.

Some seafood recipes will include a list of good wines with them; these typically are a proven wine that goes well so it is a good idea not to linger too far from the given wine. You don’t need to be wine expert to pick a good wine, but common sense will go along way when deciding on a wine to compliment your seafood.