A Spicy Chilli Wine Collaboration - aromas of petrol, grass and citrus!

Yesterday was a first for us Spicerers! Pairing food with wine is not exactly a groundbreaking concept, but when it comes to spicy food, most people might not immediately think wine would be a good match. Admittedly, even I was a bit sceptical at first that wine would go with the bold, punchy flavours we’re so fond of here at the Spicery.

Fortunately help was at hand from the fantastic Guardian columnist Fiona Beckett - wine and food matcher extraordinaire. After a boozy long lunch ‘testing’ the pairings (somebody has to do this as a job!) of various types of chilli and wine, we opened the doors yesterday to our customers for a 5-course dinner.
Guests were greeted with some fried Indian goodies - bhajis and cauliflower 65 and a glass of fizz (Cava Brut, Castillo Perelada NV - Penedes, Spain).

Then, after Matt introduced the food for the evening, Fiona expertly explained the wine matchings with each course and the menu was as follows:

• Ham & Black Eyed Pea Chile Verde, Topped with Fresh Green Chilli - Dourthe La Grande Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc (Bordeaux, France); nuances of gooseberries and lime
• Fish Tacos with Aji Amarillo Sauce & Pickled Onions - Baily & Baily Clare Valley Riesling (Australia); petrol aroma with layers of zingy citrus fruit
• Mogul Chicken with Kashmiri Chilli Raita - Bijou Rose Cabrieres Cuvee Sophie Valrose (S France); summer berries & a dry finishPork Vindaloo with Garlic Naan - Fairview Pinotage (Western Cape , South Africa); big, spicy bodyAncho Chilli Chocolate
• Brownie & Vanilla Ice Cream - Delicado Pedro Ximenez (Jerez , Spain); raisins x 100

nb Chile Verde kits are currently available from us and the wine was from Waitrose if you fancy having your own mini spicy wine evening at home!

Thanks to James, Fiona, the flavour-genius duo in the kitchen (Matt and Alice), and assistant spicerers Tung, Zee and Andrea and all of our wonderful guests the night could be called a resounding success! Look out for more food-y booze events in the new year if you missed this one.