Best All-Rounder
You need: Fruity Rosé
For a reliable style of wine with curry, make it pink and uber juicy, so the sweetness in the fruit counterbalances any heat. It works for most styles of curry, especially Lamb Bhuna. You could find any French Rosé d’Anjou, which will always have a touch of residual sugar and tonnes of ripe, red fruit. If you are after something a bit different and more sophisticated however, try this little number from Lyme Bay winery in Devon. It’s packed full of ripe cherry and strawberry aromas and flavours, with a quintessentially English, redcurrant twist. Technically off-dry, though you won’t notice it because the high acidity will refresh your palate while the fruit sweetness balances the spice.
Find it: Lyme Block English Rosé, £9.99 from ALDI.
Best for: Aloo Gobi, Jalfrezi, Green Curries, Dhal
You need: Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde is a famous style of wine from northern Portugal that is traditionally light in alcohol and has a slight spritz. They can be dangerous in the summer for lunchtime drinking as you can find yourself cracking into a second bottle without a thought. This one by Varzea is just 9.5%, slightly off dry and with zingy, limey flavours and a crisp, green apple skin nose. A great one for green curries and anything with lots of vegetables.
Find it: Varzea Vinho Verde, £7.99 (£6.99 mix six price) from Majestic.
Best for: Korma, Butter Chicken and mild, creamy curries
You need: Chardonnay
Find a Chardonnay that’s particularly fruity as opposed to a more Chablis-esque style. Chardonnay can be famously buttery and a small touch of oak here could work wonders with the umami notes from the curry. New Zealand or Chile are good places to go for this sort of style and we love this one by The King’s Legacy as it has a rich creaminess thanks to lees ageing, a touch of savoury oak and a gorgeous dollop of fruit.
Find it: The King’s Legacy Chardonnay, £15.99 (£11.99 mix 6 price) from Majestic.
Best for: Madras, Tikka Masala and tomato-rich curries
You need: Soft, tangy, juicy reds
A few grapes could do this job, Merlot, Shiraz/Syrah and Carmenère being right up there as long as they are not oaked too much or too high in alcohol. I am a particular fan of the Sangiovese grape with tomato-based curries. Tomatoes are a tricky wine match but the Italians have overcome this with pizzas and ragus thanks to this native Italian grape. High acidity, low tannin and a rustic earthiness make this a great match here. I’d avoid Chianti (Sangiovese is the Chianti grape) and go for a straight up, youthful wine like this little Sangiovese blend, ‘Il Caretto’ from Puglia. Bright fruit, refreshing, light on its feet and tangy.
Find it: Il Caretto, IGT Rosso di Puglia, £8.25 from Corney and Barrow
SPIRITS
Spirits alone would be a no-no with curry until you want to set your mouth on fire, but diluted with a mixer and a handful of ice - it’s a whole other story. Try these combinations.