1. Wine

Since mooncakes with sweet white lotus paste are typically rich, you’d want to avoid overwhelming your tastebuds by pairing each bite with a drier wine. A a young Pinot Noir an excellent choice for a start. Juicy flavours, notable cherry hints and silky soft tannins in this variety of red wines refreshes the palate and helps to mellow down the pastry’s sweetness. Enjoy a bite with a glass of good late-harvest red wines like the Handpicked Regional Selection Pinot Noir 2020 or Coup de Foudre Pinot Noir 2019. Pinot Noir by Te Mata, Penfolds and Hardy’s are great alternatives too. Other dry wine options include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, Merlot and Tempranillo.

For those who love durian snow skin mooncakes, pair them with high-quality aged white wines for an inviting sweetness of honey, dried fruits, salt, spice and vanilla accents that’ll stand up against the funky flavours from the King of Fruits. Good options include the botrytis varieties, starting with Semillon and Riesling. We recommend the De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon and Trimbach Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile 2013.

2. Whisky

Cut  through the sweetness of mooncakes with your favourite single malt whiskies. The Macallan 12 Years Double Cask, with its ginger, honey and citrus combination, offers a spicy finish, while citrusy tones in The Glenlivet 15 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky balances out the sweetness. For a hint of robust oak with fruity zest, the Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the perfect match. Our beginner’s guide to single malt whisky lays all the groundwork if you’re looking for more options.

As alternatives, rye whiskies are your best bet, with Jack Daniel’s a good option to start with. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Rye leaves you with a spicy and lingering finish that’ll smoothen out the richness of the mooncakes. Yummy!

Lighter whiskies are your go-to if you’re looking for a tipple to pair with your fridge-chilled snow skin mooncakes. From Yamazaki, select the 12 Years Japanese Whisky for its coconut, cranberry and butter palate combination that leaves you with a sweet ginger and cinnamon finish. Or, choose the Royal Salute 21 Year Old The Signature Blend, where a blend of orange marmalade, fresh pears and a delightful marriage between spice and hazelnut escapes as a wisp of smoke in the mouth. You can also take a sip from the best of Royal Salute, among other premium Scotch whisky varieties you can explore.

3. Cognac

Cognac lovers will be pleased to know that their favourite tipples will go well with any mooncake. Starting with Hennessy, the long salty-sweet finish of the Hennessy X.O Cognac, courtesy of white pepper, fudge and toasted bread, will help cut through the sweet red and white lotus fillings in traditional mooncakes. From Martell, the Martell Cordon Bleu delivers an explosion of spicy fruit that’ll match effortlessly with the sweetest of mooncakes. 

But for contemporary flavours like snow skin varieties, consider the lighter Remy Martin XO Excellence for its fruity and light spice finish and a full aromatic complexity that Remy Martin is known for in the art of whisky-making.

This is the time to gather, appreciate mooncakes and enjoy a tipple or two with family and friends. Stock up on all the duty-free alcohol you need for a home party or otherwise, from red and white wines, whisky and cognac to even champagnes, by simply carting out from iShopchangi Singapore. 

And as you spend quality time with your loved ones, remember to drink responsibly so you can enjoy every moment!

Wishing you a Wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival!