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.

Moscato D'Asti DOCG Lumine 2024 Ca' D' Gal

Paarl WO Chenin Blanc Anima 2022 Avondale

Langhe DOC Riesling 2021 L'Astemia Pentita

Collio DOC Pinot Grigio Folini Vintage 2025 Villa Folini

Veneto Moscato IGT Dindarello 2024 Maculan

Moscato d'Asti DOCG Turna Lunga 2025 Bel Colle

Südtirol - Alto Adige DOC Sandbichler Gewürztraminer 2023 H. Lun

Friuli DOC Traminer 2024 Puiatti

Friuli Isonzo DOC Pinot Grigio 2024 Villanova

Piekenierskloof Miracle Bush White 2022 Swartberg Wingerde

Val de Loire IGP Chenin 2024 Trésors de Loire

Tolnai Gewürztraminer 2025 Tűzkő

Südtirol - Alto Adige DOC Gewürztraminer Aimè 2025 Girlan

Alsace AOC Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg 2020 Michel Fonné

Südtirol - Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOC Riesling 2024 Cantina Valle Isarco

Alsace AOC Riesling Grand Cru Mambourg 2021 Michel Fonné

Vouvray AOP Sec 2024 Vieux Vauvert

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2024 Paladin

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