What wine goes with spicy food? Our pairings for chilli heat
465 wines to serve with spicy foodWith a spicy dish, serve an aromatic white with a touch of sweetness, such as an off-dry Riesling or a Torrontés, or a very fruity red with supple tannins, such as a Syrah, a Grenache or a Pinotage. Fruit and freshness soothe the heat; moderate alcohol keeps everything in balance.
Thai and Indian cuisines love German Rieslings and fragrant whites. Tagines and dishes with sweet spices call instead for a sun-drenched red from South Africa or Spain. Discover our guide wine and curry, Thai, Indian too.
Dr Loosen - Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett 2024
An airy and precise Moselle Riesling, where the gourmet fruit meets vibrant minerality.
Joh Jos Prüm - Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett 2023
A precise and crystalline Moselle Riesling, where the finesse of the Bernkasteler Badstube terroir shines through.
Casa da Passarella - O Fugitivo Curtimenta Branco 2018
A Dão macerated white, deep and structured, where mountain freshness meets the texture of skin-contact wines.
Christophe Abbet - Vin de voile 2010
A rare Valais "vin de voile" with profound aromatic complexity and an impressive finish.
Barbeito - Verdelho Old Reserve (med dry) NV
A medium-dry Verdelho Madeira of great precision, where saline tension balances a complex aromatic richness.
Boekenhoutskloof - Semillon 2021
A South African Sémillon of terroir, ample and precise, where maritime freshness and aromatic complexity subtly intertwine.
Felton Road - Bannockburn Riesling 2024
A precise and crystalline Bannockburn Riesling, where sharp freshness meets the purity of the Central Otago terroir.
Damascene - Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2022
A precise and vibrant Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch, where the richness of the fruit meets a saline freshness and a beautiful depth of terroir.
Hammeken Cellars - Piquitos Moscatel 2023
A light and aromatic Spanish Moscatel, combining indulgent sweetness and thirst-quenching freshness.
Ravines - Argetsinger Riesling 2020
A Riesling from the limestone slopes of the Finger Lakes, taut, precise and driven by a vibrant minerality.
Zoltan Demeter - Veres Furmint 2021
A dry Furmint from Tokaj, precise and mineral, which expresses with tension and elegance the depth of the volcanic soils of Mád.
Emmerich Knoll - Ried Loibenberg 2024
A terroir-driven Riesling, precise and mineral, which intensely expresses the luminous power of the Ried Loibenberg.
Emmerich Knoll - Ried Schütt 2022
A terroir-driven Grüner Veltliner, precise and profound, where the Wachau expresses itself with intensity and minerality.
Suginishiki - Saké Edo No Haruzake Nigori
A Yamahai junmai nigori from Shizuoka, at once velvety, milky and deeply umami.
Emmerich Knoll - Vinothekfüllung 2024
A great Riesling from Wachau, precise and mineral, made for aging and gastronomy.
Stark-Conde - The Field Blend 2023
A blend of Rhône and Portuguese grape varieties that combines freshness, texture and aromatic complexity.
Tyrrell's - Old Winery Verdelho 2022
A fresh and aromatic Australian Verdelho, combining fruity intensity and great drinkability.
Bouchard Finlayson - Blanc de Mer 2024
A maritime and chiseled white wine, where oceanic freshness meets a generous and precise aromatic profile.
Pine Ridge - Chenin Blanc Viognier 2021
A lively and aromatic Californian white, where the freshness of Chenin Blanc meets the exuberance of Viognier.
Mount Horrocks - Watervale Riesling 2022
A precise and crystalline Riesling from Watervale, where the freshness of citrus fruits meets a marked minerality.
Beaumont Family Wines - Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc 2023
A precise and saline South African Chenin Blanc, where maritime freshness meets the depth of the old vineyard.
Dreissigacker - Organic Riesling 2022
An organic Riesling from Rheinhessen, pure and crystalline, where freshness combines with remarkable mineral precision.
Axel Pauly - Lieserer Niederberg-Helden Riesling Kabinett 2022
A precise and crystalline Kabinett de Mosel, where the freshness of Riesling meets the indulgence of a gentle lightness.
Jordan Estate - Chenin Blanc Chameleon 2025
A precise and vibrant South African Chenin, which combines coastal freshness and aromatic intensity.
Which wine for which spicy dish?
The intensity of the chilli and the nature of the spices guide the pairing. Here are our pointers for the great spicy cuisines.
| Dish | Wines to choose | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Thai curry green curry, red curry with coconut milk | Off-dry German Riesling, Argentinian Torrontés | A slight sweetness calms the chilli, and citrus aromas answer the lemongrass. |
| Creamy Indian curry butter chicken, tikka masala, korma | Viognier, Chenin Blanc, fruity rosé | A full-bodied, fragrant white embraces the cream and warm spices. |
| Tagine and couscous lamb tagine with prunes, couscous royal | Sun-drenched red: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre | The ripe fruit and spicy notes of the wine echo the cumin and cinnamon. |
| Chilli and Mexican food chilli con carne, tacos al pastor, enchiladas | Fruity red: Malbec, Shiraz, Pinotage | Generous dark fruit and ripe tannins go with the smokiness of the chilli. |
| Sichuan cuisine kung pao chicken, mapo tofu | Riesling Spätlese, late harvest | The sweetness of the wine balances the Sichuan pepper and the heat of the chilli. |
| Wok dishes and stir-fried noodles pad thai, stir-fried noodles, ginger beef | Dry Riesling, Viognier, Pinot Noir | Freshness and fruit keep pace with the zing of ginger and soy sauce. |
| Creole cuisine colombo, rougail saucisse, cari | Fruity South African red: Pinotage, Syrah | The dark fruit and spice notes of the wine answer the colombo. |
The hotter the chilli, the more the wine benefits from being fresh, fruity and moderate in alcohol.
Fruit, chilli's best ally
Our take on spices: rely on fruit and freshness, and keep great tannic wines for other occasions. Chilli accentuates bitterness and the heat of alcohol; a fruity wine with a supple structure rounds them off. That is why Riesling, Germany's flagship grape, tops our recommendations: its liveliness and slight sweetness, in off-dry versions, work wonders with a green curry.
For red, look to South Africa and Spain. The Shiraz from Groot Constantia and The Original Pinotage from Diemersfontein offer generous fruit that stands up to a tagine or a chilli. For Thai food, the very floral Don David Reserve Torrontés from El Esteco plays in the same register as lemongrass and Thai basil. And for a Sichuan dish, the Vendange Tardive Pinot Blanc from Bruno Landauer creates a very successful sweet contrast.
Three bold pairings
Pairing 1. Green curry with coconut milk and off-dry Riesling, a classic with dazzling freshness.
Pairing 2. Apricot tagine and Grenache, for a dialogue of sweet spices and ripe fruit.
Pairing 3. Kung pao chicken and Austrian late harvest, a golden sweetness that soothes the Sichuan pepper.
The Wine Wanderer Team
Your questions about wine and spicy food
What white wine goes with spicy food?
An off-dry Riesling is the safest white wine with a spicy dish. Its touch of sugar soothes the chilli and its lively acidity refreshes the palate. Argentinian Torrontés and Viognier, both very aromatic, also suit curries and Thai food. Discover our selection of Rieslings.
What red wine goes with spicy food?
Choose a very fruity red with supple tannins and moderate alcohol: Grenache, Syrah, Pinotage or Pinot Noir. Ripe fruit balances the heat of the chilli. Keep powerful, oaky reds for dishes with sweet spices, such as tagine or couscous, and serve the wine slightly chilled, at around 15 °C.
White or red wine with curry?
With a curry, white usually wins: a Riesling, a Viognier or a Chenin Blanc goes with coconut milk and spices. Red suits richer red meat curries as long as it stays fruity and supple, like a Syrah or a Grenache. A fleshy rosé makes an excellent compromise.
What wine goes with tagine or couscous?
A warm Mediterranean red, based on Grenache, Syrah or Mourvèdre, is an ideal match for a tagine or a couscous. Its notes of ripe fruit and spice answer the cumin, cinnamon and dried fruit. All our advice is gathered in the guide wine and couscous, tagine.
What wine goes with Thai food?
Riesling, dry or off-dry, is the benchmark pairing for Thai food. Its citrus aromas go well with lemongrass, lime and coriander. The very floral Torrontés also suits green curries and papaya salads. For a pad thai, a fresh, fruity white enhances the dish.
At what temperature should wine be served with spicy food?
Serve the wine a little cooler than usual with a spicy dish: 8 to 10 °C for whites, 14 to 15 °C for reds. Coolness tempers the burning sensation of chilli and brings out the fruit. An ice bucket keeps the bottle at the right temperature throughout the meal.