Last year, for the first time in an Indian wine awards, we introduced a unique food and wine pairing competition, the Best Wine with Indian Cuisine, a category which pushes boundaries about the versatility of wines as worthy accompaniments to regional Indian cuisine. The diversity of palates and judging excellence has ensured that these awards shatter preconceived notions about pairing wine with Indian flavours and spices.
For this edition of the Best Wine with Indian Cuisine, we paired 120 wines with 9 delectable signature Indian dishes to choose the winning food and wine combinations. Our expert panel of judges declared 10 Trophy Award Winners, with a tie for the Best Wine Pairing with Daal Makhani.
This segment was chaired by Sonal Holland MW, and our co-chairs and special invitee judge helped us curate this award category.
Best Wines With Indian Cuisine 2018
Co-Chairs for Best Wine with Indian Cuisine
Sourish Bhattacharyya
A journalist with approximately 32 years of professional experience behind him, Sourish Bhattacharyya is India’s most eminent food writer. He wears several hats, including that of a columnist for Mail Today (India Today Group). He is the Founding Consulting Editor for the leading hospitality magazine, BW Hotelier, blogger at Indian Restaurant Spy and co-founder of the Tasting India Symposium. Passionate about wine – wine and food pairings are his special area of expertise.
Sameer Malkani
Samir founded the Food Bloggers Association of India over 6 years ago, a body which is a leading culinary platform today with a large social media presence. An ardent lover of all things wine, he is constantly honing his expertise on wine varietals, tastes and flavours. A leading education specialist, his previous work experience includes stints at Ogilvy & Mather and Discovery Channel India. He is an ardent gamer, an occasional chef at home, and is passionate about music and travel.
Best Wine with Indian Cuisine (non-veg)
Best Wine Pairing with Mutton Rahra
Sula Sparkling Shiraz 2018, India
Best Wine Pairing with Chicken Chettinaad
Sula Brut Rosé 2018, India
Best Wine Pairing with Goan Prawn Curry
Besserat de Bellefon Champagne NV, France
Best Wine Pairing with Malvani Fish Fry
Grover Zampa Soirée Brut 2015, India
Best Wine with Indian Cuisine (vegetarian)
Best Wine Pairing with Litti Chokha
The Source Grenache Rosé 2018, India
Best Wine Pairing with Paneer Khurchan
Casablanca Rosé Spumante NV, India
Best Wine Pairing with Dal Makhani
Casablanca Frizzano Semi Dry NV, India
Best Wine Pairing with Dal Makhani
Sula Zinfandel 2018, India
Best Wine Pairing with Aloo Poshto
Yellow Tail Pink Moscato NV, Australia
Best Wine Pairing with Gulab Jamun
De Bortoli Noble One 2013, Australia
TESTIMONIALS
The Indian cuisine and wine pairing was an interesting exercise. There is obviously a lot of heat and spice in Indian food and a lot of sweetness. It helped bust many myths, which are often associated with food and wine pairing. Personally I found that the Rosés went really well with Indian food, if you had to pick one that would work across the board.
Gauri Devidayal –
Co-Founder, The Table Mumbai, The Table Farm, Magazine St Kitchen, Magazine St Bread Co and Miss T