Spicy Food Wine Pairing

Spicy food — Thai curries, Mexican mole, Szechuan stir-fry — adds heat, fragrance and fun to a meal but can throw a curveball when it comes to wine pairing, where alcohol amplifies heat and tannin can clash with spice. This collection is built around wines from our directly imported portfolio with enough residual sweetness, freshness or aromatic character to complement rather than fight the heat.

136 products

Spicy food presents a unique pairing challenge — the heat from chillies can make tannic reds taste harsher and amplify the perception of alcohol, so the best wine pairings for spicy dishes tend to be aromatic, slightly sweet, or low in tannin and alcohol. Off-dry or aromatic whites like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or Viognier are classic partners for spicy Asian and Indian cuisine — their slight sweetness and aromatic intensity help cool and balance the heat, while their lower tannin avoids any harsh, bitter clash. For those who prefer red wine with spicy food, lighter, fruitier, low-tannin reds such as Beaujolais or a chilled Pinot Noir tend to work best. Sparkling wines, particularly slightly off-dry styles like Prosecco, are also excellent — their bubbles and gentle sweetness refresh the palate between bites. Our Spicy Food Wine Pairing collection brings together wines selected to complement, rather than fight against, dishes with real heat — perfect for curry nights, Asian-inspired cooking, or anything with a kick.