Photo by Jordon Kaplan on Unsplash
Experiment with comparing two tasty wines to go with a highly-spiced dish, Chicken Tikka Masala, to see who wins the battle for the “Ultimate Tikka Pairing!”
Start With the Dish’s Flavors and Build from There
Let’s begin by acknowledging how awesome Tikka Masala is on its own! Chicken Tikka Masala is an internationally savored and beloved South Asian-inspired curry dish known for its rich tomato-based sauce that has an amazing aromatic quality.
Spices of coriander and cumin seeds, amchoor and turmeric powders, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, red chilli, and black pepper are the cornerstone flavors of this crowd-pleasing dish. The challenge with pairing heavily spiced foods (such as Tikka Masala) with wine is choosing a varietal that will be complimented by the flavors of the dish and not overpowered by them.
We’ve all heard the classic rule of pairing red with red and white with white when selecting a wine for your meal. However, what they don’t mention is that the dish’s flavors and spice play a significant role in choosing the wine.
Photo by Prachi Palwe on Unsplash
The challenge with pairing heavily spiced foods with wine is choosing a varietal that will be complimented by the flavors of the dish, and not overpowered by them.
Today, we’ll explore pairing this little slice of South Asian heaven with two different wine selections: a red Syrah blend from Northern California and a white German Riesling. That’s right – it’s North America vs. Europe battling for the title of “Ultimate Tikka Pairing!” So, fill those glasses, fire up the stove (or place that takeout order), and let’s get exploring!
Enter Spicy, Berry-flavored Syrah and Sweet, Fruity Riesling
The Northern California climate is perfect for growing Rhône style (French) Syrah. This varietal is known for its black fruit flavors (blackberry, black cherry), herbal and pepper aromas, and full body. You can even pick up some smoke, leather, and spice, depending on the age and how it was made. Try Le Casque Espion (67% Syrah, 33% Petite Syrah). The spices in the Tikka Masala complement the dark berry and spice flavors in the Syrah, and the wine’s high alcohol content intensifies the heat in the dish. Very nice!
Photo by Vinocultured
German Riesling is known for its pronounced fruity and floral aromas, high acidity, light to medium body, and flavors of green apple, citrus, peach, and apricot, depending on the region that produced it. For this experiment, we tried Paul Anheuser Schlossboeckelheimer Koenigsfels Riesling Kabinett. The sweetness and fruitiness of the Riesling are complimented by the spiciness of the Tikka Masala, and the wine’s acidity works well with the tomato base. It’s a surprisingly pleasing pairing!
Riesling for the Win
The verdict: Riesling for this dish! However, for you fans of bold reds, try starting the meal with the Riesling, take your last bites with the Syrah, and enjoy the rest of the glass after the meal. Since the spices from the dish linger on your palate, the Syrah becomes a lovely after-dinner drink.
Finally, a “Riesling” to drink sweet wine with dinner! Que “Syrah, Syrah!” (Okay, that was corny, but what’s a little silliness between friends?)
Published January 15, 2022
Do you have a favorite wine to pair with Chicken Tikka Masala? Share in the comments below!
