Spicy food needs a little sweetness or aromatics and low alcohol — that's what cools heat. My picks: Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling Eroica, Bodega Colome Torrontes for Thai and Indian, or a light Pinot Noir if you insist on red. Skip anything oaked or high-alcohol; it pours gasoline on the fire.
By Michael Bottigliero, Certified Sommelier (WSET Advanced), Founder of Bottles Nation.
13 Celsius · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Good, everyday light white
Anne de K (Kuentz-Bas) · Riesling · White · France
Michael's take: Dry, zesty citrus punch, workingman's Alsace.
Bodega Colome · Torrontes · White · Argentina
Michael's take: Explosive white floral, zesty lime peel, high-altitude Salta electricity.
Brancott Estate · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Zesty pink grapefruit, crisp lemongrass, quintessential Marlborough energy.
Chateau Ste. Michelle x Dr. Loosen · Riesling · White · USA
Michael's take: Crisp lime zest, ripe white peach, wet slate minerality, vibrant, off-dry Columbia Valley precision.
Giesen · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Pungent pink grapefruit, crunchy green bell pepper, bright passionfruit, razor-sharp, tongue-tingling, textbook Marlborough zip.
Glazebrook · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Bright white peach, pungent passionfruit, fresh lemongrass, razor-sharp, mineral-driven, vibrant Marlborough focus.
Gruber Roschitz · Riesling · White · Austria
Michael's take: Crunchy green apple, bright white peach, intense gasoline mineral, bone-dry, razor-sharp, electric Weinviertel focus.
Kia Ora · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Zesty passionfruit, bright lime, punchy Marlborough value.
King Maui · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Punchy pink grapefruit, direct flinty mineral, straight-shooting Marlborough classic.
La Vostra · Glera · Sparkling · Italy
Michael's take: Bright wild strawberry, faint white blossom, breezy crowd-pleasing pink bubbles.
LaLuca · Glera · Sparkling · Italy
Michael's take: Fresh red berry, crisp green apple, breezy afternoon bubble.
Mato Bay · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Zesty pink grapefruit, pungent lemongrass, classic punchy Marlborough sunshine.
Matua · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Tropical passionfruit, bright lime zest, classic vibrant Marlborough snap.
Mohua · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Juicy pink grapefruit, lime leaf, vibrant mineral-driven Marlborough crunch.
Oyster Bay · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Bright passionfruit, zesty kaffir lime, clean and textbook grassy Marlborough refreshment.
Pewsey Vale · Riesling · White · Australia
Michael's take: Piercing lime juice, wet slate mineral, bone-dry and electric Eden Valley benchmark.
Ponga · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Vibrant white peach, sweet lime zest, crisp grassy mineral, and bright classic Marlborough energy.
Rapaura Springs · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Zesty pink grapefruit, sweet passionfruit, fresh-cut green herbs, and crisp, mineral-driven Marlborough punch.
The Crossings · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Bright pink grapefruit, fresh white peach, zesty lemongrass, and crisp, mineral-driven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc energy.
Domane Wachau (Weissenkirchen) · Riesling · White · Austria
Michael's take: Crisp green apple, ripe white peach, intense wet stone minerality, and vibrant, electric Wachau Riesling tension.
Whitehaven · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Vibrant passionfruit, bright pink grapefruit, fresh snipped grass, and zesty, mouthwatering classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc intensity.
Wither Hills · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Bright pink grapefruit, ripe passionfruit, hints of lemongrass and wet stone, and crisp, mouthwatering classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc energy.
Yealands · Sauvignon Blanc · White · New Zealand
Michael's take: Bright passionfruit, fresh green herbals, crisp lime zest, and mineral-driven, sustainably grown Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc energy.
Off-dry Riesling like Chateau Ste Michelle Eroica. It has the touch of residual sugar to cool heat, the acid to keep the palate refreshed, and low alcohol so you're not making the burn worse. Near-universal answer for Thai, Indian, Sichuan, and spicier Mexican dishes.
Yes, but pick carefully. A light, chilled Pinot Noir or a soft Garnacha-based blend works. Avoid anything big, tannic, or high-alcohol — a heavy Cabernet with a curry is misery. Chill the red slightly before pouring; it helps a lot.
Depends on the dish. Tacos al pastor loves a chilled light Pinot Noir. Enchiladas suizas want a dry Riesling. Anything with serious chile heat calls for an off-dry white or an aromatic Torrontes. And a good margarita is never the wrong answer either.
Ask in your own words - dinner, occasion, budget - and get 2-3 bottles straight from Michael's list.