Best Wine Pairings for Curry

WINE & CURRY: A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN? If you’re trying to figure out which wine to serve with your curry feast, don’t worry, you’re not alone. With a million opinions on the matter, it can get overwhelming. But, don’t sweat it! We’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know to make the perfect match:

1. SPICY LEVEL: The spiciness of the curry is a major factor. A mild curry is easier to pair with wine than a blazing hot one.
2. THE WHOLE MEAL: Don’t just focus on the wine with the curry, think about the entire meal and how spicy everything is.
3. CURRY TYPE: Different curries require different wines. Thai and Malay curries are different from Indian curries, which have warmer spices. Homemade curries tend to be spicier than shop-bought or sauce-based ones.

What you need to pair with curry is a refreshing contrast to the heat, with a touch of sweetness and a cleansing acidity. Tannins and high alcohol content can overpower the spices in a curry, so opt for fruity, low alcohol wines. Many Indian restaurants don’t have the best wine lists, so it’s a matter of what will work, not what’s ideal. Here are 5 wines that are perfect for the job:

1. FRUITY ROSÉ: A fruity rosé from Spain, Portugal, or South America is a safe bet.
2. OFF-DRY RIESLING: This wine is perfect with chicken, fish, and vegetable curries, but steer clear of meaty or tomato-based curries. German, Austrian, Australian, and New Zealand rieslings are all great choices.
3. PINOT GRIS: Alsace pinot gris is perfect with Thai green curries, and it pairs well with mild to medium-hot Indian curries.
4. AROMATIC WHITES: Hungarian whites, dry muscat, sylvaner, silvaner, and torrontes from Argentina are all great options.
5. CHARDONNAY: Fruity or blend styles with semillon, chenin, and colombard grapes pair well with mild, creamy, or buttery curries, especially with chicken.

Red wine lovers, don’t worry! Here are some great options for you:

1. JUICY SHIRAZ: A juicy, fruity shiraz is perfect.
2. CHILEAN CARMENÈRE: Similar to merlot, this wine is a great match with hotter curries.
3. PINOTAGE: Surprisingly, pinotage is a good match with hotter curries.
4. RIOJA CRIANZA OR RESERVA: Perfect for rogan josh.

Gewurztraminer may be a popular choice with curry, but it can easily overpower milder curries. However, it’s great with a spicy duck curry.

So, there you have it. The next time you’re wondering what wine to serve with your curry, just remember these tips, and you’ll be good to go. Cheers!