THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE - HER LIFE Magazine

herlife | winespice it up!wines that go with spicy foodsby sherry l. granaderThank goodness the rules about combining spicy foods andwine have relaxed quite a bit. It is not necessary to skip thewine when eating a hot, ethnic dish or spicy food. However,there are some smart strategies when it comes to figuring outwhich wine to drink with a spicy meal; one is to start with theheat of the dish.Lower-alcohol wines go well with high heat dishes due to their residualsugar and sweetness. Look for a German Riesling marked “QbA”or “Kabinett” on the label, which will offer a touch of freshness to themeal, or, for more sweetness, look for “Spatlese.” All will offer a melodiousflavor to any spicy entrée.Another option is from France, known as Vouvray, that offers ahigher alcohol content with a sweet, almost fruity flavor. Austrian winesThere is always room forChampagne or other sparklingwines that offer a favorablecontrast to a hot, spicy meal. Thecapsaicin spice is actually alkaline,not acidic like the wine, creating anice balance. When in doubt, headfor the bubbles. The acidity of thewine will balance the alkalinity of thecapsaicin in your dish.are also a good choice to complement the flavors and aromas and canbe mildly sweet or nearly bone dry. Rosé wines are quite popular withtheir mild flavors that go well with a hot dish. Some rosé wines offer awatermelon juiciness or ripe strawberry flavor for delicious sweetness.The white wines are also a good choice, having enough structure andbody to stand up to any spicy meal.Some wine connoisseurs prefer red wines only, no matter what themeal. A good choice is Spanish wines, based on Tempranillo grapes,offering a spicy, roasted flavor that blends well with spicy foods. An inexpensiveShiraz also works well; however, you might want to check thealcohol level for a refreshing match.Whatever the wine you choose, take the challenge and try differentcombinations at restaurants and at home. There are some amazingspices available in your local gourmet food stores, like red, green oryellow curry, that can be added to meats, vegetables, fish and pasta.Some wines may not work with some spicy dishes; however, experimentingwith different wines and spicy foods can lead to the ultimate50 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM