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.

Südtirol - Alto Adige DOC Gewürztraminer 2025 Cantina Terlano

Trentino DOC Pinot Grigio 2025 Cantina La-Vis

Oltrepò Pavese IGT Pinot Grigio Fumetto 2019 Tenuta Fornace

Sierras de Málaga DO Mountain Blanco 2022 Telmo Rodríguez

Alsace AOC Gewürztraminer 2022 Dopff au Moulin

Friuli Colli Orientali DOC Pinot Grigio Ramato 2024 Le Vigne di Zamò

Friuli Colli Orientali Pinot Grigio DOC 2020 Castello di Buttrio

Südtirol - Alto Adige DOC Pinot Grigio 15 2024 Castelfeder

Toscana Pinot Grigio IGT San Angelo 2023 Banfi

Western Cape WO Chenin Blanc Porcupine Ridge 2023 Boekenhoutskloof

Western Cape WO Chenin Blanc Porcupine Ridge 2024 Boekenhoutskloof

Salento IGP Moscato Passito Polline 2022 San Marzano

Südtirol - Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOC Riesling Praepositus 2022 Abbazia di Novacella

Savennières AOC Le Bel Ouvrage 2020 Domaine Laureau

Piekenierskloof Miracle Bush White 2022 Swartberg Wingerde

Pfalz QbA Haardt Riesling 2023 Müller-Catoir

Vin de France Chenin Blanc Les Plantes 2023 Château de Bonnezeaux

Margaret River GI Petit Lot Mousseux 2021 Windows Estate