One of the most challenging but delicious dishes in world for wine here are five superstar curry wines.
2010 Viña Leyda, Gewurztraminer Reserva Leyda Valley, Chile (£9.99, www.virginwines.co.uk). ‘Gewurz’ is a favourite grape with curry, but many heavy or sweet versions don’t work at all well, so here is a bright, dry, fresh-as-a-daisy, lightly perfumed version. With delicate rose petal and musk notes, this is a perfect white for any spicy prawn or fish curry.
2010 Jim Barry Wines, Lodge Hill Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia (£11.99, www.auswinesonline.co.uk, Wine Society tel. 01438 741177, Co-op, Tanners tel. 01743 234455). This laser-sighted, lime juice-themed is the perfect wine to slice through a Thai green curry, tamarind-infused dishes and also coconut sauces. It is has sensational citrus fireworks on the palate and the finish is bone dry, soothing and wonderfully refreshing, too.
2010 Sainsbury Taste the Difference Marques de Almeida Ribera del Duero, Spain (£8.99, Sainsbury’s). This terrific, plummy, cherry-scented Spanish red from the noble region of Ribera del Duero will take care of any meaty curries, in particular slow cooked lamb shank dishes. Decant it to allow the scent to unravel and pour it into the biggest glasses you have!
2011 Zalze Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa (£6.99, Tesco, Waitrose). This cheeky little chenin is the perfect wine for lighter, cream or coconut-infused dishes as well as the vast panoply of vegetarian curry-inspired recipes. It is squeaky clean, lemony and herbal with a glorious juicy finish and a vibrant lift on the finish.
2011 Viñalba, Selección Torrontés, Mendoza, Argentina (£9.99, reduced to £7.99 if you buy 2 bottles, until 31 January, Majestic). Torrontés is a little-known white grape, but it is a Thai, Vietnamese or Malaysian recipe secret weapon because it loves lemon grass, lime leaves, coriander, chillies and even ginger. Serve ice cold and sink your teeth into the delightful fresh pineapple and pink grapefruit flavours in this wine.
