Indian Wine Pairing Guide: Which Wines Go with Curry, Tandoori and Dal?

Ever stared at a wine list in an Indian restaurant and had no idea where to start? You are not alone. Indian food is bold, layered, and spiced in ways that make pairing feel tricky. But it does not have to be.

The short answer: wines with good acidity, low tannins, and a touch of sweetness work best with most Indian dishes. Think Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Gewürztraminer. These grapes are flexible, food-friendly, and stand up to strong spices without clashing.

This wine pairing guide breaks it all down by dish — so you can pick the right bottle every time, whether you are dining at home or sitting down at a restaurant like Delhi Brasserie in Soho, London.

Why Is Wine Pairing with Indian Food Different?

Indian cuisine is not one thing. It ranges from the creamy butter chicken of Delhi to the fiery Goan vindaloo to the earthy dal makhani from Punjab. Each dish uses a unique blend of spices — cumin, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, and chilli — that directly affects how wine tastes on your palate.

According to Wine Enthusiast, when pairing wine with Indian dishes, the spices matter more than the protein. A lamb dish cooked in a light tomato sauce needs a very different wine than the same lamb made with a rich, creamy sauce.

Here are the three golden rules to keep in mind:

•       Avoid high-tannin wines — tannins make spicy food taste more bitter and harsh

•       Choose wines with acidity — acidity refreshes your palate between rich, spiced bites

•       A little sweetness helps — off-dry wines cool down heat without killing the flavour

Wine and Food Pairing Chart for Indian Dishes

Use this quick-reference wine and food pairing chart to match the right wine to your meal:

Best Wine with Curry

Curries vary widely in heat and texture. The wine you choose should match both the spice level and the sauce base — not just the meat.

Creamy Curries: Butter Chicken, Korma, Tikka Masala

These are mild, rich, and often made with yogurt or cream. They need a wine that can cut through the richness without being too sharp.

•       Chardonnay (lightly oaked) — its buttery texture mirrors the sauce beautifully

•       Viognier — full-bodied with floral and stone-fruit notes that lift creamy flavours

•       Off-dry Riesling — a touch of sweetness and crisp acidity work well together

A Gewürztraminer is also a solid pick for tikka masala. Its lychee and rose aromas complement the aromatic spice blend in the dish.

Spicy Curries: Vindaloo, Jalfrezi, Madras

Fiery curries need wines that soothe, not fight. High alcohol wines make heat worse, so avoid anything above 14% ABV.

•       Off-dry Rosé — the gentle sweetness calms the fire while keeping things fresh

•       Merlot — a soft, fruit-driven red that does not clash with heat

•       Prosecco — yes, sparkling wine works. The bubbles and green-apple notes are surprisingly refreshing

According to wine educators, a German Riesling Kabinett — with its natural residual sugar — is one of the best choices for hot curries like vindaloo.

Tomato-Based Curries: Chicken Masala, Vegetable Jalfrezi

Tomato and spice together create a tangy, complex base. These dishes pair well with medium-bodied reds and crisp whites alike.

•       Pinot Noir — light, earthy, and savoury enough to match the sauce

•       Grenache — ripe fruit with soft tannins that do not overpower the spice

•       Sauvignon Blanc — citrusy acidity that cuts through the tomato richness

Best Wine with Tandoori Dishes

Tandoori cooking uses a clay oven fired at very high temperatures. This gives the food a distinctive smoky, charred flavour — especially in tandoori chicken, seekh kebab, and fish tikka.

That smoky character calls for wines that can match it, not be drowned out by it.

•       Syrah/Shiraz — dark fruit, peppery notes, and a hint of smoke make it a natural match for tandoori meats

•       Pinot Noir — lighter and more elegant, it works especially well with tandoori chicken

•       Riesling (dry to off-dry) — the crispness and fruit balance the charred flavours without competing

Sommeliers often recommend Pinot Noir as the top red wine pairing for tandoori chicken. Its savoury depth and light body match the smokiness without weighing the dish down.

Best Wine for Dal Dishes

Dal is one of the most comforting dishes in Indian cooking. It is earthy, warming, and full of texture. The right wine should complement its heartiness without overwhelming it.

Dal makhani — a slow-cooked black lentil dish from North India — is particularly rich due to butter and cream. Lighter dishes like dal tadka or South Indian sambar are thinner and more tangy.

Dal Makhani

•       Unoaked Chardonnay — a clean, fresh white that softens the creamy richness

•       Riesling — its acidity lifts the dish and keeps each mouthful tasting clean

•       Grüner Veltliner — an Austrian white with peppery, herbal notes that work well with lentils

Dal Tadka and Lighter Lentil Dishes

•       Sauvignon Blanc — bright acidity and citrus tones that pair well with turmeric and cumin

•       Pinot Gris — a fuller-bodied white with gentle fruit that suits earthy, spiced lentils

White Wine Pairing with Indian Food: Top Picks

White wines are generally the safer choice with Indian food. Here are the best performers:

•       Riesling — the most versatile white for Indian cuisine; works with spicy, creamy, and earthy dishes

•       Gewürztraminer — aromatic, slightly sweet, excellent with biryani and tikka dishes

•       Chardonnay (unoaked or lightly oaked) — ideal for buttery, cream-based curries

•       Sauvignon Blanc — crisp and herbal, great for vegetarian dishes and South Indian food

•       Grüner Veltliner — underrated but excellent with lentils and vegetable curries

South Indian food — which often uses coconut milk, curry leaves, and tamarind — pairs especially well with Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino. The high acidity offsets the coconut creaminess, and the herbal notes echo the fragrant curry leaves.

Can You Drink Red Wine with Indian Food?

Absolutely. Red wine and Indian food can be a great match — you just need to choose the right style.

Stick to medium-bodied reds with soft tannins and plenty of fruit. Avoid bold, tannic wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Barolo — they clash with spice and leave a bitter aftertaste.

•       Pinot Noir — the go-to red for most Indian dishes; light, versatile, and savoury

•       Grenache / GSM blends — ripe, low-tannin reds that handle spice well

•       Syrah/Shiraz — best with grilled or smoked meats like tandoori or seekh kebabs

•       Merlot — soft and fruit-forward, a good match for medium-spiced curries

Quick Wine Pairing Tips for Indian Dining

•       Match the intensity — a light wine gets lost in a heavy curry, a bold wine overpowers a delicate dish

•       Sweet beats heat — even a slightly off-dry wine is better than a bone-dry one with very spicy food

•       Keep alcohol low — wines under 13% ABV tend to work better with chilli-heavy dishes

•       When in doubt, choose Riesling — it works with almost everything on an Indian menu

•       Sparkling wine is underrated — Prosecco or Crémant pairs brilliantly with street food-style starters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best wine with Indian food overall?

Riesling is widely considered the best all-around wine for Indian food. Its natural acidity and slight sweetness balance both spice and richness effectively. Pinot Noir is the top red wine choice.

Can I drink red wine with curry?

Yes. Choose a medium-bodied red with soft tannins, such as Pinot Noir, Grenache, or Merlot. Avoid heavy reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, as tannins intensify heat and can make the food taste bitter.

What wine pairs well with butter chicken?

A lightly oaked Chardonnay or a Viognier works best. Both have enough body to match the creamy sauce, and their subtle fruitiness complements the mild spice blend.

What is the best white wine pairing with Indian food?

Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Grüner Veltliner are top choices. For vegetable dishes and South Indian food, Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent pick because of its herbal acidity.

What wine goes with tandoori chicken?

Pinot Noir is the most recommended red. The smoky, charred character of tandoori chicken pairs well with Pinot Noir's earthy depth. For white wine lovers, a dry Riesling also works well.

What is the best wine for dal dishes?

For dal makhani, an unoaked Chardonnay or Riesling works well. For lighter dal dishes like dal tadka, try a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris — their acidity cuts through the earthy lentils cleanly.

Should I avoid any wines with Indian food?

Yes. Avoid wines with high tannins (Cabernet Sauvignon, Barolo, Nebbiolo) and very high alcohol (above 14% ABV). These can make spicy food taste harsh and astringent.

What wine works with South Indian food?

South Indian dishes often use coconut milk, tamarind, and curry leaves. Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, and Grüner Veltliner are ideal. The high acidity offsets coconut creaminess, and herbal notes echo curry leaves.

Find Your Perfect Pairing at Delhi Brasserie

Wine and Indian food is one of the most rewarding pairings you can try — once you know the basics. Start with a Riesling or Pinot Noir, then experiment from there.

At Delhi Brasserie in Soho, London, our team is always happy to suggest a wine that works with your order. We have been serving authentic Indian cuisine for over forty years and our wine list is chosen with the food in mind.

Whether you are in London, visiting from Kerala, or just planning a dinner at home, this guide gives you everything you need to pair wine with Indian food like an expert.