Curry Wine Pairing? Yes, Please! Our 9 Favorite Pairings!

  • Last Updated - 3/25/23
Curry Wine Pairing

Quick Answer: One of the most versatile wines for food pairings is Riesling. And it goes well here! For creamier curries, try a Chardonnay. And if you would like to enhance the spiciness of rich and bold flavored curries, have it with a Syrah!

Curry is a beloved dish in many parts of the world, known for its bold flavors and spicy kick. In my opinion, you can never go wrong with curry. And with the right curry wine pairing, it brings it to another level!

However, when it comes to pairing curry with wine, many people are often at a loss. The complex and intense flavors of curry can make it difficult to find a wine that complements rather than clashes with the dish. There’s often a blend of spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, and chili powder. And these spices give curry its signature flavor profile, which is often described as spicy, earthy, complex, and delicious!

In this article, we’ll explore some tips for curry wine pairing to help you enhance your next curry experience.

Table of Contents

Tips For Pairing Wine With Curry

When it comes to pairing wine with curry, it’s important to look for a wine that can stand up to the bold flavors of the dish. Here are some general tips for selecting the right wine:

  1. Consider the heat level of the curry: If your curry is particularly spicy, you may want to choose a wine with lower alcohol content and a bit of sweetness, such as a Riesling or Gewürztraminer. High-alcohol wines or tannic red wines can intensify the heat and clash with the flavors of the dish.
  2. Look for wines with bold flavors: Because curry is a complex and intense dish, you’ll want to choose a wine with bold flavors that can hold its own. Full-bodied red wines like Syrah or Zinfandel can work well, as can rich white wines like Chardonnay or Viognier.
  3. Match the wine to the protein in the curry: If your curry includes chicken, lamb, or beef, you may want to choose a red wine that pairs well with that type of meat. For example, a lamb curry could pair well with a full-bodied red wine like Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon.
  4. Think about the spices/ingredients in the curry: The spices in the curry can play a big role in determining which wine will pair well. For example, a curry with cumin and coriander might pair well with a white wine with citrus notes, while a curry with ginger and turmeric might pair well with a full-bodied red wine with spicy notes. And if your curry includes coconut milk, a wine with tropical fruit notes like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris can work well.

9 Best Wine Pairings For Curry

1) Riesling

relax riesling flavors

Riesling is a versatile wine that pairs well with spicy foods like curry. It has a hint of sweetness that can balance out the heat of the dish. The sweetness of the Riesling can help balance out the heat of the curry, while its acidity can cut through the richness of the dish. 

Additionally, Riesling often has fruity notes, such as peach, apricot, and citrus, that can enhance the flavors of the curry.

2) Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer is another white wine that can complement the flavors of curry. It’s a highly aromatic wine that has an intense flavor profile with hints of lychee, rose petals, and tropical fruits and a spicy finish that can pair well with the complex flavors of the dish. 

Also, Gewürztraminer is known for its subtle sweetness, which can balance out and tame the heat of the curry. Plus, the low acidity of the wine can help to cut through the creaminess of the dish and provide a refreshing contrast.

3) Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a light-bodied red wine that has a lower tannin level compared to other red wines, which makes it a good choice for pairing with spicier curry dishes. Tannins can sometimes clash and enhance spicy flavors.

Also the light-bodied wine won’t overpower the flavors of the curry. Plus, it has a higher acidity level, which can help cut through the richness of creamier curries. Finally the acidity can also help to balance out the flavors of the dish.

4) Syrah/Shiraz

syrah vs shiraz grape

Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a full-bodied red wine that can stand up to the bold flavors of lamb or beef curries. And if you like spicy, this wine has a peppery flavor that can complement the spices in the dish. For example, the bold flavors of Syrah can stand up to the complex flavors of chicken tikka masala.

Furthermore, if your curry contains meat such as lamb, then Shiraz is the perfect accompaniment. The wine’s earthy notes perfectly complement the gaminess of the meat for a great pairing experience.

5) Zinfandel

Zinfandel is another full-bodied red wine that can pair well with spicy, tomato-based curries. It has bold, jammy flavors of red and black fruit, black pepper, and spices such as cinnamon, clove, and licorice. And these flavors can complement and enhance the flavors of curry, especially spicier and more robust curries.

Also, if your curry dish includes meat, Zinfandel can be an excellent pairing choice as it complements the meat’s bold flavors and richness.

6) Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a rich, full-bodied white wine that can pair well with creamy curries. It has a buttery flavor that can complement the richness and creaminess of the curry dish. Also, Chardonnay is a full-bodied wine, which means it has a higher viscosity and can stand up to the bold flavors and spices of curry dishes.

Finally it has lower acidity levels than many other white wines, which can make it a good pairing choice for spicier curries that need to be balanced out.

7) Viognier

Viognier Wine Taste Profile french white wine fine wine styles

Viognier is a white wine with floral and fruity aromas, which can complement the spices and flavors found in many curry dishes. Also, it’s a full-bodied wine with a rich, oily texture that can complement the creaminess of some curry dishes. Plus, it can also stand up to the bold flavors and spices in the dish.

And like Chardonnay, Viognier has low acidity levels, making it a good pairing choice for spicier curries. So if you’re looking for an excellent alternative to Chardonnay and a want to give another wine a try, choose Viognier!

8) Albariño

albarino wine taste occasionally orange zest

Albariño is a great wine pairing choice for seafood curry due to its bright acidity, mineral flavors, fruit-forward taste, and versatility. It’s best to pair Albariño with seafood curries that have a creamy, tomato-based sauce or mild curry sauce with subtle spices.

9) Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wine has a high level of acidity and effervescence, which can help to cleanse the palate between bites of a spicy curry and refresh the palate for the next bite. And some sparkling wines have fruity and floral flavors that can complement the complex flavors of the spices in the curry.

And for curry, it’s best to choose a sparkling wine that has a fruitier and less dry profile, such as a Prosecco or a sweeter-style Champagne.

Popular Types of Curry

Curry Wine Pairing

Before diving into the world of curry wine pairing, it’s important to understand the flavors of curry. Curry is a dish that can vary greatly depending on the region and the recipe.

Curry is a broad term that can refer to a variety of dishes that originated in South and Southeast Asia. There are many different types of curry, each with its own unique flavors and ingredients. Here are some of the most common types of curry:

  1. Indian curry: Indian curry is perhaps the most well-known type of curry. It often features a blend of spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and ginger, and can include a variety of ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and lentils.
  2. Thai curry: Thai curry typically features a blend of spices, herbs, and coconut milk. It can be made with a variety of meats or seafood, and is often served with rice.
  3. Japanese curry: My favorite type of curry, Japanese curry is typically milder than Indian or Thai curry. And often includes ingredients such as carrots, potatoes, and onions. Its often served with rice and can be made with chicken, beef, or pork.
  4. Malaysian curry: Malaysian curry often includes a blend of spices such as turmeric, coriander, and cumin, as well as lemongrass and galangal. It is often served with rice and can include a variety of meats, seafood, or vegetables.
  5. Indonesian curry: Indonesian curry often includes a blend of spices such as turmeric, coriander, and cumin, and can include a variety of meats, seafood, or vegetables. It is often served with rice or noodles.
  6. Caribbean curry: Caribbean curry often includes a blend of spices such as turmeric, coriander, and cumin, as well as chilies and other hot peppers. It can include a variety of meats, seafood, or vegetables, and is often served with rice and beans.

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