The new Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse starts on February 17, 2026. In a previous article on mywinepal.com, I listed wines that have a horse theme. One of the wines I listed was BC’s Haywire Winery Lunar Red 2022. I received a bottle of this wine to review and from my tasting notes, I think it should pair nicely with a variety of savoury Asian dishes for your New Year celebration. Here are my tasting notes followed by a few recommendations for food pairings.
My Wine Tasting Note
Haywire Lunar Red 2022 (BC $28.88)
From the winery, the wine is “Made from a Merlot dominant blend and naturally fermented before gentle basket pressing, this elegant wine offers aromas of dark plum, cassis, and subtle cigar box spice. The palate is smooth and expressive, with layers of black cherry, cocoa, vanilla, and warm baking spice, supported by firm tannins and a long, refined finish.”
Appearance: A clear, medium-plus intensity garnet colour in the glass.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas of toasty red fruits, plums and blackberries, oak and sweet spices. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, but fruity, with medium body, and a soft, light mouthfeel. Toasty, juicy red fruit flavours, red cherries, plus touches of oak and vanilla. The wine is between medium and medium-plus acidity, leaving you with a light acidic prickle on your tongue. Lighter tannins to start that get stronger toward the finish. No change to the body or flavours after decanting.
Finish: A medium-plus length, finishing with toast, red fruit and red cherries, plus a touch of oak and pepperiness. Medium drying tannins. No change to the finish after decanting.
As you can see, decanting does not affect this wine, so open and enjoy. It is a tasty, fresh red wine. Nice red fruit and toast on the nose and palate. Light tannins and bright acidity.
Rating: 
Haywire Lunar Red 2022 shows a clear, medium-plus garnet colour with inviting aromas of toasty red fruits, plums, blackberries, oak and sweet spices. Dry yet fruity on the palate, it offers a medium body and a soft, light mouthfeel, with juicy red fruits, red cherries, touches of vanilla and oak, medium acidity, and tannins that build toward the finish. The medium-plus finishes with toast, red fruit, oak and a hint of pepperiness, and medium drying tannins.
I purchased a few Chinese dishes to try with this wine. BBQ pork and Black Pepper Pork dishes work well with the juicy fruit flavours of this wine. I also tried it with Sweet and Sour Pork, but the sweetness did not mesh with the wine. So pick more savoury dishes. I also contemplated non-Asian dishes, and I think some Italian pasta dishes, like Chicken Cacciatore, would be a complementary pairing.
Where Can I Buy This Wine?
You can purchase the wine online, either as a single, 3 pack, 6 pack, or a dozen bottles from the Haywire website: http://www.haywire.com. Vessel Liquor store in Victoria lists the Haywire Lunar Red 2026 for sale.
