Best Chana Masala Wine Pairings | Vi - wine and food pairings to try. (2024)

FAQs

Best Chana Masala Wine Pairings | Vi - wine and food pairings to try.? ›

An off-dry German Riesling would be a good match for Chana Masala. This wine, made from the Riesling grape, is known for its high acidity and slight sweetness, which can help balance the heat of the dish. The wine's fruity flavors, such as apple and peach, can also provide a refreshing contrast to the earthy spices.

What's the best wine to drink with a curry? Our choice is a semi-sweet Riesling or Prosecco when pairing with a spicy curry dish.

If the dish is very creamy, go for a creamy (malolactic) Chardonnay. If the dish is spicy, go for something off-dry: Riesling Spätlese, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer. If you go for red, go for something fruity: Pinot Noir, Gamay, Garnacha, GSM blends, Valpolicella.

Meat curries match well with a red such as a full-bodied Pinot Noir or more delicate Shiraz. Chicken, seafood, and vegetable curries, on the other hand, go quite nicely with the acidity and fruitiness of a Pinot Grigio or Gewürztraminer. Again, make sure to keep the sauce and spice level in mind.

This authentic Afghan dish of Chickpea Curry is shared with us by the Ayubi family from their restaurant, Parwana. Choose a full-flavoured white like Verdelho, Chardonnay or Viognier with the curry. Anything too light-bodied will not stand up to the myriad flavours in this dish.

Divide chana masala among bowls and top with cilantro leaves with tender stems and sliced red onion (if using). Serve with steamed rice, naan, or crusty bread.

Beer: Lagers are a good bet, according to Higgins. They're smooth and bready, with maltiness to cut through richness. A Pilsner or a Munich-style pale helles also works. Wine: Red wine with a good balance of tannin and acidity is necessary here.

SAVORY HERBS

For example, Cumin has a bitter, toasty flavor and can often overpower the dish if its heavily seasoned. This will need a wine to stand up to its flavors, like an off-dry white or a full-bodied red. Try an off-dry Gewürztraminer, Merlot, or Syrah to contrast the dish!

Does Cabernet Sauvignon go with Indian food? ›

The world-renowned Chicken Tikka Masala, marinated chicken pieces in a tangy spiced gravy, calls for a bold red. A Cabernet Sauvignon, with its dark fruits and a touch of spice, like the Susana Balbo Wines BenMarco Cabernet Sauvignon, blends perfectly with this classic dish.

Paneer Tikka- Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc always goes well with tandoori items. The wine helps the flavours of the paneer tikka coated with Indian spices and grilled in a clay oven to create a balance and create a flavourful taste on the palate. This dry, tart wine is also made from green-skinned grapes.

Vin Jaune, which translates to “golden wine” in French, has sherry-like notes with dried nuts and bruised fruit on the palate. Both pair nicely with the earthy flavor of chickpeas. The intensity of the wines makes them incredibly food-friendly and will take on even the most flavorful chana masalas.

The best red wine pairings are medium weight and savoury styles including Pinot Noir, Grenache or GSM blend, or a Nero d'Avola, while the best white wine pairing with tikka masala include Chardonnay, aged Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, or Gewürztraminer.

Pair dishes like chicken tikka masala with a Merlot, says Guibord, since “the smoky flavor from the tandoor cooking and subtle spices shine when matched with a softer tannin, fruit-forward wine.”

A lighter-bodied red wine such as a Valpolicella or Pinot Noir is ideal for this dish because it will allow the chicken and mushrooms to shine through without competing with them too much. If you're looking for something more robust in its flavor profile, try a Chianti or Rose.

Savvy match: I like a deep, rich Tempranillo with notes of smoke and leather, a lively high-end Spanish Garnacha (or Washington state Grenache), or an acidic, lemony, dry white wine to act as a bright counterpoint to the richness of the chickpea stew.