Korean ginseng chicken soup can be sublime. Whole sticks or slices of perfumed ginseng root are mixed with glutinous rice and then stuffed into a free-range bird. Red dates and chicken broth are added to the clay pot for the long, slow cooking. The broth is a good base or carrier for the fragrant ginseng. It's a hearty, warming combination eaten throughout the year in Korea. The soup's texture is enhanced by the starch in the glutinous rice. The chicken falls off the bone from long cooking. The wine needs balanced, aromatic and defined flavours, and should also be enjoyable at room temperature so as not to clash with the hot soup. Glenmorangie Sherry Cask finish, Highlands, Scotland The Scottish whisky distillers have long been buying old casks from Spain and Portugal to mature their brew, and Glenmorangie is the master in cask finishes. Glenmorangie single highland malt is matured for the first part of its life, then selected parcels are allowed to mellow and mature in different casks. Glenmorangie specialises in old port, sherry and madeira woods. A recent addition is the velvety Grand Cru Sauternes Cask finish. The malt takes on the different personalities of these casks. This sherry cask finish has beautiful aromatics that mingle well with ginseng chicken. It's elegant and yet rich enough to not get lost. Available for $658 from Riche Monde (tel: 2976 1888) Dean Hewitson, Mermaids Muscadelle Dry, Barossa Valley, South Australia Muscatel can make wonderfully fruity, easy-drinking wine. However, it's often sun-dried and served with the cheese plate. This Dean Hewitson Mermaid version is only 10 per cent alcohol. It's a dry wine, so all you get are the lovely grapey aromas. It's light-bodied and balances well on the finish. It's a good match with ginseng chicken soup, especially the fluffy stuffing, which is saturated with chicken and ginseng essence. Or try this dry muscatel with spicy hotpot. Available for $166 from Kedington (tel: 2898 9323) Chateau Filhot 1998, Sauternes, France Chateau Filhot is one of the oldest and most respected names in the international sweet wine fraternity. This sauternes has many aromas and tastes. There's plenty of refreshing acidity to clean the palate. The wine's a contrasting match with ginseng chicken and extends the savoury richness of the soup and the textured fluffy rice. The ginseng is the link in the combination: it adds breadth to the wine while pulling it closer to the chicken. Available for $323 (half bottle) and $588 (standard bottle) from Remy (tel: 2845 5995)