The right wine for spicy dishes - Aromaticity, freshness and smoothness to accompany them

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.

Alsace AOC Gewürztraminer Turckheim 2020 Zind Humbrecht

Trentino DOC Gewürztraminer 2024 Cantina La-Vis

Südtirol - Alto Adige DOC Gewürztraminer Perelise 2024 Colterenzio

Rheingau QbA Riesling Trocken Gelblack 2024 Schloss Johannisberg

Sūdtirol - Alto Adige DOC Pinot Grigio 2024 Hofstätter

Südtirol - Alto Adige DOC Gewürztraminer Lafóa 2023 Colterenzio

Marlborough Pinot Gris GI Black Birch 2022 Clark Estate

Mosel QbA Riesling Trocken Blauschiefer 2024 Dr. Loosen

Vouvray AOP Sec 2024 Vieux Vauvert

Bianco Alternativa Senza Alcol Doppio Passo

Moscato d'Asti DOP 2025 Vietti

Südtirol - Alto Adige DOC Pinot Grigio Castel Ringberg 2024 Elena Walch

Alsace Grand Cru AOP Riesling Florimont 2020 Domaine de la Ville de Colmar

Rheingau QbA Riesling Trocken 2023 Robert Weil

Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio DOCG Conte Emo Capodilista

Alsace AOP Grand Cru Riesling Steinklotz 2021 Arthur Metz

Garda DOC Pinot Grigio Centofilari 2023 Gerardo Cesari

Alsace Réserve AOC Gewürztraminer 2022 Hunawihr