Pairing Red Wine With Indian Coconut Curry Chicken

what red wine with indian food coconut currey chicken

When it comes to wine and food pairings, the key is to find a wine that complements the flavours of the dish. If you're serving Indian coconut curry chicken, you'll want to consider the level of spice, sweetness, and creaminess of the dish. While there are no strict rules, here are some recommended red wines that tend to pair well with Indian cuisine and curry: Australian Sparkling Shiraz, Barossa Shiraz, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault blends, and Pinot Noir. For spicy dishes, it's best to avoid highly tannic wines as they can increase the perceived heat. Instead, opt for fruity, low-tannin reds or off-dry whites to balance the flavours.

Characteristics Values
Wine type Off-dry whites, Riesling, Rosé, Friuliano, White Rioja, Sake, Lambrusco, 1er Cru Burgundy, Napa Bordeaux blend, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault blends, Bandols, Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer
Wine properties Floral, fragrant, fruity, low-tannin, acidic
Food properties Spicy, sweet, creamy, fiery
Wine quantity 1/4-1/2 cup
Other ingredients Coconut milk, chicken stock, yogurt

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Fruity, low-tannin reds complement mild tomato-based curries

When it comes to pairing wine with curry, the type of curry you're eating is an important factor to consider. Mild tomato-based curries pair well with fruity, low-tannin reds such as Grenache from France or Spain. The juiciness and lightly spicy flavours of Grenache complement the fragrant, mild spices of tomato-based curries.

While some people may reach for beer or soft drinks when eating Indian food, there are wines that can perfectly match the warm spices, creamy coconut richness, and sweet, roasted vegetables often found in Indian cuisine. For example, a German or Australian Riesling can pair well with a mildly spiced chicken curry. The lightly sweet or off-dry nature of these wines can help to quell the burn of a spicy curry while also tasting refreshing, like a spritz of lime.

Another option for fruity, low-tannin reds that complement mild tomato-based curries is a Malborough Syrah. This wine has smooth, ripe tannins that pair beautifully with tomato-based curries. Additionally, an Australian Shiraz of the big, fruity kind can work well with Indian curries, especially those with a lot of spices like Butter Chicken or Vindaloo.

While not a red wine, it is worth noting that dry, rich whites can also pair well with mild creamy curries. A fruity, unoaked, or lightly oaked Chardonnay from Australia or cooler parts of California has enough body to stand up to creamier curries. For a floral, fragrant option, consider a Gewürztraminer, which has notes of rose petals and tropical fruit.

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Off-dry whites are a good choice for fiery curries

When pairing wine with curry, it is important to consider whether your curry is sweet, creamy, or fiery. This will help guide you in choosing a stellar wine.

If you're looking for a wine to pair with fiery curries, off-dry whites are a good choice. When you drink lightly sweet wines with spicy food, the wine tastes less sweet and can help to quell the burn of the curry. Off-dry Rieslings pair exceptionally well with chile-laden coconut milk-based sauces; they taste like a refreshing spritz of lime. Look for lightly sweet kabinett or spätlese styles of Rieslings from Germany or off-dry Rieslings from Oregon or Australia. Alternatively, if you prefer richly textured wines, opt for an off-dry Chenin Blanc from regions like Vouvray and Savennières.

For those who enjoy exceptionally floral and fragrant wines, Gewürztraminer is another option for fiery curries. It has a distinctive scent of rose petals and tropical fruit.

While off-dry whites are recommended for fiery curries, other types of wine can also be considered for different types of curries. Dry, rich whites like fruity, unoaked, or lightly oaked Chardonnay from Australia or cooler parts of California are recommended for mild, creamy curries as they have enough body to pair with the creaminess of the dish. For mild tomato-based curries, fruity, low-tannin reds like Grenache from France or Spain are great options as their lightly spicy flavours and acidity complement the fragrant spices and tomatoes in the curry.

When it comes to Indian curries, wine is not commonly used in their preparation. However, in Portuguese-influenced Goan cuisine, wine is often incorporated. Additionally, some recipes for chicken curry specifically call for red wine as an ingredient, adding a unique twist to the dish.

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Australian Sparkling Shiraz pairs well with spicy curries

When it comes to wine and food pairings, the key is to select a wine that harmonises with the sensory sensations happening in your mouth. While there are no strict rules, a good place to start is to consider whether your curry is sweet, creamy, or fiery.

If you're looking for a wine to pair with spicy Indian curries, like a coconut chicken curry, an Australian Sparkling Shiraz might be the perfect choice. Sparkling Shiraz is uniquely Australian, with a style that first emerged in the Great Western region in the 1890s. It combines the rich red berry fruit and spice flavours of a traditional Shiraz with the effervescence of sparkling wine.

The bubbles and bright flavours of Sparkling Shiraz can cut through the spice of a curry. Its savoury, medium-bodied profile retains freshness as well as intensity, making it an excellent match for full-flavoured dishes. While it pairs well with classic Christmas lunch dishes like glazed ham, it also complements more challenging foods like Peking duck or teriyaki salmon.

For a wine that can stand up to the bold flavours of a spicy curry, look for a bottle of Australian Sparkling Shiraz. Try the well-known Seppelt Show Sparkling Limited Release Shiraz, or Teusner's MC Sparkling Shiraz, which comes in at under $50. If you're looking for a more affordable option, Taltarni's Sparkling Shiraz is a beautifully made wine for just $30.

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Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault blends are good for spicy food

When it comes to pairing wine with curry, it's important to consider whether your curry is sweet, creamy, or fiery. Off-dry whites are recommended for fiery curries, as the wine will taste less sweet and will quell the burn of the curry. For creamy curries, a fruity, low-tannin red is recommended.

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault blends (GSM) are robust red wines with a complex flavour profile, making them incredibly adaptable when it comes to food pairings. GSM blends originate in the Rhône Valley in France and combine Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre grapes. Grenache brings fruit-forward notes, Syrah adds spice and complexity, and Mourvedre delivers earthy depth. The blend is bold and full-bodied, with dark fruit flavours, hints of black pepper, and an earthy finish.

The fruity, spicy, and earthy notes in GSM blends make them a good choice for pairing with spicy food. The spice in GSM blends can also complement grilled or smoked meats. The versatility of GSM blends makes them a popular choice for wine collectors.

When pairing GSM blends with spicy food, consider the weight and intensity of the dish. GSM blends are bold and full-bodied, so they can stand up to robust dishes. However, they may overwhelm milder dishes. It's also important to consider the specific spices used in the dish, as certain spices may clash with the flavours in the wine.

In addition to GSM blends, other wine options for spicy food include Australian Sparkling Shiraz and well-aged Barossa Shiraz for Indian curries.

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Pinot Noir can work with chicken curry

When it comes to wine and food pairings, the key is to find a wine that complements the flavours of the dish. The wine you choose will depend on the type of curry you are eating. Is it sweet, creamy, or fiery? Chicken curry can vary from mild French curry to spicy Indian curry, and each will have a different wine pairing.

Pinot Noir, a fruity, low-tannin red wine, can work well with chicken curry. Its light spice and acidity complement the fragrant spices in curry. An inexpensive New World Pinot Noir is a good option to consider. For example, a Jones Pinot Noir or J. Lohr Fog's Reach Pinot Noir.

If your chicken curry is on the milder side, a Pinot Noir could be a good choice. The light spiciness and acidity of the wine will complement the fragrant spices in the curry without overwhelming them. In addition, the juiciness of the wine will go well with a creamy, tomato-based curry.

However, if your chicken curry is very spicy, a different type of wine may be a better choice. Off-dry white wines, such as Riesling, are often recommended for fiery curries. The sweetness of the wine can help to quell the burn of the curry.

That being said, there are no strict rules when it comes to wine pairings. You are welcome to experiment and find combinations that you enjoy, even if they are unexpected.

Frequently asked questions

Wines that pair well with Indian food include Riesling, Friuliano, white Rioja, sake, Lambrusco, 1er Cru Burgundy, and a Napa Bordeaux blend. Wines from Rhone or Languedoc also tend to pair well with spicy food.

Off-dry Rieslings are great with coconut milk-based sauces. For a curry with a tomato base, fruity, low-tannin reds like Grenache from France or Spain are a good choice.

Australian Sparkling Shiraz or a well-aged Barossa Shiraz can work well with spicy curries.

The wine you choose will depend on the type of curry you're eating. Consider whether your curry is sweet, creamy, or fiery. When drinking tannic wine with chilli-hot food, the perceived heat will increase.

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