A good red wine should not overpower the light or sweet taste of an Indian dish.
Indian food is famous for its tangy flavors, combination of sweetness and spiciness, vegetarian dishes, and use of dates and peanuts. When choosing a wine to accompany your food, try to find a wine that is similar in strength and sweetness to that of the food. White wine typically goes better with Indian food because it is well matched in sweetness and tanginess, but some red wines will also pair well. First consider the type of Indian food. If the main dish includes red meat such as buffalo, mutton, or goat, steer towards cabernet or merlot. Spicy foods should be accompanied by wine that calms the burning palate, such as pinot noir. Sweet foods, unfortunately, do not pair well with red wine at all, since red wine is typically more bitter and dry than white wine.
Cabernet and Merlot
While cabernet and merlot are typically too dry to accompany Indian food; if you find one with fruity undertones (such as prunes or cherries) it can go especially well with meat dishes. Avoid combining dry red wines with spicy food, however, since they can over-accentuate the spice. India's own Grover La Reserve pairs well with meat dishes and strongly flavored spicy foods. Grover La Reserve was named as one of the top ten Indian wines in 2009 by IndiaMarks.com, and has an oak and fruit flavor profile.
Shiraz
A full-bodied Shiraz with berry flavors is usually smooth and light enough to accompany most Indian dishes. Ivy Shiraz by Indage Wines and Grover Vineyards' Cabernet Chiraz are both flavored to go well with Indian food, especially peppery or hearty foods. Shiraz can also pair well with both meat and vegetarian dishes.
Pinot Noir
The light and fruity flavor of pinot noir makes for a good pairing with both Indian vegetarian and meat dishes. Its smoothness will tame a spicy dish and keep your mouth from drying out. Pinor noir typically has fruity undertones of cranberries, raspberries, and cherries, which matches the sweetness of many Indian dishes.
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