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Do chilli and wine go well together?

649 Views Posted on: 2024-05-29
 

Pairing Wine with Spicy Dishes: Tips and Tricks

Of course, you also enjoy pairing your dishes with a good glass of wine. This can be quite a challenge when it comes to matching these two ingredients! Here are some tips to get it right.

Avoid Light Wines!

With spices like Espelette or Cayenne pepper, harissa, or paprika, you'll need a wine that can stand up to the bold flavors. Light wines, such as whites and rosés, which lack tannins, won't fare well in such a fiery pairing. Instead, opt for powerful, aromatic red wines. Ensure that the tannins are not too harsh and the acidity is well-balanced. Therefore, it is best to choose well-structured, robust wines.

Spicy Dishes & Southern Wines: The Winning Combo

Now that we’ve established that whites and rosés are not ideal for pairing with spicy dishes, it's time to explore red wines. The selection is broad, as both Bordeaux, known for its tannic and oaky wines, and the Languedoc-Roussillon or Rhône regions offer powerful options. Warm and spicy, wines from these southern regions are robust enough to stand up to spicy flavors, while their fruity character enhances the exotic taste of the spice.

However, some wines from more northern regions like the Loire or Alsace can also compete with spicy dishes, provided their structure is robust enough to counteract the heat of the spice.