The right wine for spicy dishes

Spicy or highly seasoned dishes call for wine pairings capable of complementing their intensity without enhancing the burning sensation. Italian cuisine also offers famous examples of boldly flavored recipes, such as penne all’arrabbiata, ’nduja calabrese, or certain spicy cured meats from Southern Italy. These are joined by numerous international traditions where chili and spices take center stage, such as Indian, Thai, Mexican, Sichuan Chinese cuisine, and many customs of Southeast Asia.

To accompany these dishes, aromatic, fresh wines with very soft tannins are preferable, often with a slight residual sweetness. The aromatic qualities of grape varieties like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or Moscato help complement the spices, while acidity and freshness refresh the palate, softening the heat. At the same time, wines with low tannins or a gentle sweetness avoid amplifying the chili’s burn, creating a more harmonious balance between the bold character of the dish and the softness of the wine.

Hofstätter Zero Riesling Sparkling Dr. Fischer

Valdadige Pinot Grigio DOC Pian del Griso 2024 Conti Bossi Fedrigotti

Südtirol - Alto Adige DOC Gewürztraminer Lyra 2023 Nals Margreid

Western Cape WO Chenin Blanc Porcupine Ridge 2024 Boekenhoutskloof

Nahe VDP Felsenberg Felsentürmchen Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2022 Dönnhoff

Alsace AOC Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Schonenbourg 2020 Hunawihr

Toscana IGT Scabrezza 2024 Marchesi Antinori

Stellenbosch WO Chenin Blanc Seriously Cool 2024 Waterkloof

Salento IGP Moscato Passito Polline 2022 San Marzano

Trentino DOC Gewürztraminer 2024 Cantina La-Vis

Südtirol - Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOC Aristos Gewürztraminer 2022 Cantina Valle Isarco

Valul lui Traian IGP Cru Manastirea Rohrbach 2021 Gitana Winery

Kamptal DAC Riesling Zobinger Heiligenstein 2021 Brundlmayer

Coastal Region Chenin Blanc WO 21 Gables 2022 Spier

Rheingau QbA Riesling Trocken 2023 Robert Weil

Constantia WO Grand Constance 2021 Groot Constantia Estate

Trentino Superiore DOC Castel Firmian Gewürztraminer 2023 Mezzacorona

Vino Spumante di Qualità del tipo Aromatico Petalo Il Vino dell'Amore Moscato Bottega

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