Wine and Curry – Match Made in Heaven?
While most people would probably prefer to drink a large glass of milk rather than wine with a hot curry, in a restaurant, it’s not always a possibility. And, if you’re not a huge fan of Mango Lassi or a refreshing Lager, you will still be hoping that a glass of wine, or a bulk number of bottles if you buy online wine, can quench your thirst and relieve the fire on your taste buds.
However, as you will quickly realise – be it at home or a restaurant – not every wine you drink with curry is going to be suitable. Some, in fact, intensify the heat or change the flavour of your meal entirely. If you’re determined that you’ll be ordering something off the wine list, along with checking official wine reviews, here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the right choice.
Consider the Curry
There are so many different types of curry depending on the culture, country, heat intensity, and the protein you choose to include as well. Therefore, there is no “one size fits all” approach to choosing wine for curry in general. What works for chicken tikka masala, for example, won’t work for Thai red roast duck curry.
Therefore, before you go ahead and choose your wine, consider the heat levels, the protein, the richness of the spices, and the culture from which it comes. These can all help you make the right decision.
The Wine’s Aim
Because you’re sure to find your curry is a little on the spicy side, your aim is, of course, going to be to relieve some of that fire in your mouth and cleanse your palate at the same time. To achieve that, you’ll need a refreshing wine that contrasts against the heat of the curry, as well as a touch of sweetness. Wine with added sweetness is more than suitable for exceptionally hot curries such as Thai green curry.