Curry is one of the UK’s favourite dishes, but finding the right wine to go with it can feel tricky. Chilli heat, rich sauces and bold spices can make the wrong wine taste bitter or flat. The good news is that a few simple rules make it easy. Here’s what to pour with your favourite curry, from a mild korma to a fiery vindaloo.
What is the best wine with curry?
The best wine depends on how hot your curry is. Here are our top picks:
- Mild curries (korma, butter chicken): a rich, aromatic white like Viognier or Chenin Blanc
- Medium curries (tikka masala, jalfrezi): an off-dry Pinot Gris, a dry rosé or a fruity Grenache
- Hot curries (madras, vindaloo): an off-dry Riesling or a Gewürztraminer
- Thai curries: a fresh Sauvignon Blanc or an off-dry Riesling
How do you pair wine with spicy food?
Chilli heat changes the way wine tastes, so a few rules help:
- A touch of sweetness: off-dry wines, with a little residual sugar, calm the heat of the chilli
- Moderate alcohol: alcohol makes spicy food feel hotter, so choose a wine at around 13% or less
- Low tannins: tannins, the drying compounds found in red wine, taste bitter with chilli
- Plenty of fruit and acidity: fruity, fresh wines stand up to bold spices and refresh your palate
What wine should you avoid with curry?
Avoid big, oaky or very tannic reds, like a young Cabernet Sauvignon, which clash with the heat. Very high-alcohol wines, like some Zinfandels or Amarone, will also make your curry feel spicier.
What wine goes with Indian curry?
Korma and butter chicken
Mild, creamy curries like korma or butter chicken are rich and gently spiced, often with nutty, buttery flavours. A full, aromatic white is the perfect match: try a Viognier, with its apricot and floral notes, or an off-dry Chenin Blanc. A fruity dry rosé also works well.
Chicken tikka masala
Britain’s favourite curry, chicken tikka masala, combines a creamy tomato sauce with medium spice. An off-dry Pinot Gris is a great choice, as its ripe fruit and soft texture balance the sauce. If you prefer red, choose a light, fruity Grenache or a Beaujolais, served slightly chilled.
Jalfrezi and madras
These curries bring more heat, with fresh chillies and peppers in a jalfrezi and a rich, spicy sauce in a madras. Go for an off-dry Riesling or a Gewürztraminer, whose sweetness and exotic aromas of lychee and rose tame the heat.
Vindaloo
Vindaloo is one of the hottest curries, and it’s a real challenge for wine. Your best bet is a medium-sweet Riesling, like a German Kabinett, which is low in alcohol and cools the palate. To be honest, a cold lager or a mango lassi might be just as good.
Balti
Balti curries were popularised in Birmingham, and are named after the thin steel pot they’re cooked and served in. They’re cooked quickly over a high heat, with onions, peppers and tomatoes, and usually medium in spice. A fruity dry rosé or a juicy Grenache works well, or try an off-dry Pinot Gris if you prefer white.
Rogan josh and lamb curry
Fragrant lamb curries like rogan josh call for a fruity red or an off-dry white. Find our top picks in our guide to wine with lamb.
What wine goes with Thai curry?
Green curry
Thai green curry is fresh and herby, with lemongrass, lime leaves and coconut milk. A zesty Sauvignon Blanc, especially from New Zealand, echoes its green, citrusy notes. An off-dry Riesling is also a great match if your curry is on the hot side.
Red curry
Red curry is richer and spicier, with dried red chillies. Aromatic whites like Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris work beautifully, or try a light, juicy Pinot Noir if you prefer red.
Massaman
Massaman curry is mild and rich, with peanuts, potatoes and warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom. A fruity, soft red like a Grenache or a Côtes du Rhône suits it well, while a Viognier is a lovely white option.
What wine goes with other curries?
Katsu curry
Japanese katsu curry, with its crispy breaded chicken and mild, slightly sweet sauce, is very food-friendly. Try a light Pinot Noir, a dry rosé, or a glass of sparkling wine, whose bubbles cut through the crispy coating. Not sure which bubbles to choose? See our guide to Champagne vs Prosecco.
Chinese takeaway curry
The Chinese takeaway curry is a British favourite, with its thick, mild and slightly sweet sauce. Its gentle spice makes it easy to pair: an off-dry Riesling or a fruity rosé echoes its sweetness without overpowering it.
Jamaican curry goat
Curry goat is slow-cooked with curry powder, allspice, thyme and fiery Scotch bonnet chillies. If yours is very hot, an off-dry Gewürztraminer will tame the heat. For a milder version, a light, fruity red like a Beaujolais or a Grenache matches the rich meat.
Beef rendang
Rendang, from Indonesia and Malaysia, is beef slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices like lemongrass and galangal until the sauce is almost dry. It’s rich and full of flavour rather than very hot, so it’s one of the few curries that can take a fuller red: try a ripe, fruity Shiraz or a Côtes du Rhône.
Fish curry
Fish curries, often made with coconut milk, pair well with off-dry, aromatic whites like Riesling or Gewürztraminer. Find more ideas in our guide to wine with fish.
Is red or white wine better with curry?
White wine is usually the easier choice, as off-dry, aromatic whites handle chilli heat best. But red wine can work too, as long as you choose a light, fruity style with soft tannins, like Pinot Noir, Gamay or Grenache. For curries with warming spices rather than strong heat, a juicy Shiraz can also be a good match.
FAQ
Does sweet wine go with curry?
Yes, a touch of sweetness is your best friend with spicy food, as it calms the heat. Choose an off-dry or medium-sweet wine, like a Riesling or a Gewürztraminer, rather than a very sweet dessert wine.
Does sparkling wine go with curry?
Yes, especially with fried starters like bhajis and samosas, or milder curries. A Prosecco, with its fruity style and hint of sweetness, is often a better choice than a very dry Champagne.
Should you chill wine for curry?
Yes, serve whites and rosés well chilled, as a cool glass refreshes your palate between spicy bites. Light reds like Pinot Noir or Gamay are also best served slightly chilled.
Is beer better than wine with curry?
Beer is a classic match, especially with very hot curries. But with the right wine, like an off-dry Riesling or a fruity rosé, you can enjoy a curry night just as much.
