Best Wine with Curry: Wine and Beer Pairing for Indian Food

People often say beer is the only drink for curry. Beer is great — but the right wine can make Indian food even better. Here is our simple guide to the best wine with curry, with examples from the wine list at Meghna Grill in St John’s Wood.

The golden rules of wine and curry

• Chilli loves freshness. Crisp, fresh whites with good acidity cool the heat.
• Avoid big tannins with hot dishes. Heavy, oaky reds can make chilli taste hotter and the wine taste bitter.
• Match weight with weight. Creamy curries suit rounder whites; rich lamb suits a smooth, fruity red.

Best wine for spicy curry (Madras, Vindaloo, Podi Dosa)

Go for a crisp, aromatic white. A dry Riesling (our Mittelbach Riesling from Austria) or a zesty Albariño from Rías Baixas refreshes your palate between mouthfuls. A Sauvignon Blanc from Gascony works well too.

Best wine for Chettinad and peppery curries

Peppery, roasted Chettinad spices pair well with a soft, juicy red that has gentle tannins — try the Pinot Noir Moulin de Montarels or the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Prefer white? The Riesling works here too. New to Chettinad? Read our guide to South Indian curries.

Best wine for creamy curries (Butter Chicken, Korma, Tikka Masala)

Creamy, mildly spiced dishes are lovely with a rounder white such as the Los Vascos Chardonnay from Chile, or a Provence rosé, which also suits chicken tikka.

Best wine for seafood curries

For Goan Prawn Curry, Salmon Moiley or Malabar fish curry, choose a fresh, coastal white: Picpoul de Pinet, Albariño or a Gavi.

Best wine for tandoori and lamb

Smoky tandoori lamb chops and lamb curries can take a fuller red — a Rioja Crianza or a ripe Primitivo from Puglia. Save the Barolo and Brunello for milder, richer dishes rather than the hottest ones.

Champagne and Prosecco with Indian food

Bubbles and fried food are a perfect match. A glass of Prosecco or Champagne with samosas, crispy chicken or papadoms is a great way to start a celebration.

Beer with curry

Still prefer beer? A cold, crisp lager is the classic choice because it is refreshing and light. We serve Cobra (bottle and draught) and Kingfisher.

Something sweet to finish

Try a glass of Sauternes with gulab jamun or kulfi, or finish with a warming masala tea.

Ask us

Not sure what to choose? Ask your server at Meghna Grill, 113 Boundary Road, St John’s Wood — we are happy to recommend a wine for your meal. See the full drinks and wine list and the food menu. Please drink responsibly.