A Complete Guide to Pairing Wine with Indian Food

Indian cuisine presents a unique challenge when pairing with wine, given its intense flavors and spices. Traditionally, these dishes have been accompanied by beer, but an increasing number of specialized restaurants now offer an extensive selection of wines to complement Indian food. Of course, pairing wine with Indian cuisine can be done at home too! Where to buy wine to go with Indian food? Bottle Barn offers a diverse range of wines that go perfectly with Indian food, something to remember the next time you order wine online.

Indian cuisine’s diverse palette of flavors opens up fascinating opportunities for achieving perfect harmony. The presence of chutneys, tangy and sweet sauces, spices, and refreshing raitas plays a key role in finding the right wine. Moderately sweet wines with balanced acidity and a touch of residual sugar tend to be the best options, while wines high in alcohol or tannins may be less suitable.

Discover the Perfect Balance: White Wines and Indian Cuisine

White wines are an excellent choice to accompany Indian dishes. When selecting the right wine, it’s important to consider the balance between fruitiness and acidity, as well as the wine’s age. Suggestions include dry whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Verdejo. These wines are known for their freshness and acidity, making them ideal for balancing the bold flavors of curries and other spiced dishes.

Another popular option is Pinot Gris or Chardonnay. These wines offer fruity and smooth flavors that perfectly complement the intense tastes of Indian food. While personal preference should guide your choice, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are classic, well-balanced options for those seeking a traditional pairing. Good choices include the 2023 Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, 2023 Frank Family Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay, 2022 Eyrie Vineyards The Eyrie Pinot Gris, or the 2023 Jermann Pinot Grigio.

Find the Perfect Wine for Indian Cuisine: Pairing with Bold and Spiced Red Wines

When pairing wine with Indian food, the right choice can transform the dining experience. Bold and spiced red wines are an excellent match for the intense and varied flavors of Indian cuisine. Varieties such as Syrah, Garnacha, Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon are worth considering. A great choice when you buy wine online is the 2020 Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha. Consider, too, the 2019 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Pinot Noir.

When choosing red wines, look for those with rich, spiced notes, and avoid wines that are overly fruity or heavily oaked. Excessive fruitiness or oak aromas can overpower the bold flavors of Indian dishes and disrupt the culinary experience. Instead, opt for wines with spice-driven profiles, incorporating flavors like curry, cumin, coriander, fennel, nutmeg, and cardamom, which naturally complement Indian cuisine.

Spiced red wines also pair beautifully with spicy dishes and those made with lentils, chickpeas, or potatoes. These wines help balance the heat and spice, creating an ideal pairing. A great option is the 2022 Bedrock Wine Co. California Syrah.

Discover the Ultimate Culinary Complement: Rosé and Sparkling Wines

For dishes with creamy textures or rich sauces, rosé and sparkling wines are the perfect choices. In particular, Cava pairs exceptionally well with such dishes, thanks to its light acidity, which enhances flavors and adds a unique touch. Bottle Barn offers several superb Cavas at great prices in the online wine shop, like the Montsarra Cava Brut.

These wines are also great for spicy dishes, as their refreshing carbonation and acidity reduce the heat on the palate. The result is a truly enriching and unique culinary experience.