Wine pairing
What wine goes with spicy food?
Spice and wine is where a lot of pairings go wrong. High alcohol and firm tannins make chili burn hotter, while a touch of sweetness and plenty of chill do the opposite — soothing the heat and lifting the aromatics.
The best wines for spicy food
- Riesling (off-dry) Top matchWhite
The number-one spicy-food wine — its sweetness and acidity calm the burn beautifully.
- GewürztraminerWhite
Aromatic and faintly sweet; a brilliant match for fragrant Thai and Indian dishes.
- Dry RoséRosé
Chilled and fruity, it’s a refreshing, lower-risk all-rounder for spicy plates.
- LambruscoSparkling red
Lightly sweet and fizzy — a fun, palate-cooling pick for spicy barbecue.
One to avoid
High-alcohol, tannic reds (think big Cabernet) make spice taste hotter and more bitter — avoid them with chili heat.
Sommelier’s shortcut
The hotter the dish, the colder and slightly sweeter the wine should be. When in doubt, chilled off-dry Riesling.
Frequently asked questions
What wine pairs with spicy food?
An off-dry (slightly sweet) white like Riesling or Gewürztraminer is the best pairing for spicy food — a touch of sweetness tames the chili heat while acidity keeps it refreshing.
What wine goes with curry?
A chilled off-dry Riesling or an aromatic Gewürztraminer pairs well with curry, balancing the spice and complementing the fragrant spices.