Wine Pairings for Takeout: A Complete Guide
Pairing guides assume you're cooking French cuisine. Here's what wine to open with the Thai, Indian, Mexican, Chinese, and pizza at your door.
Most wine pairing guides assume you’re making coq au vin or searing a perfect ribeye.
Reality: it’s Tuesday night, there are containers on your counter, chopsticks in hand, and you desperately need wine that won’t fight with your pad thai.
Studies from the Culinary Institute of America show that 73% of home wine consumption happens with casual meals, not the formal cuisine most pairing guides cover. Yet almost all pairing education focuses on European food traditions.
Here’s the complete guide to pairing wine with what you’re actually eating.
The 4 Universal Takeout Pairing Principles
Before specific cuisines, understand why some pairings work:
| Principle | Why It Works | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Spice + Sweetness | Sugar cools heat receptors on your tongue | Off-dry wines with spicy dishes |
| Richness + Acidity | Acid cuts through fat and oil | High-acid wines with greasy takeout |
| Umami + Low Tannin | Savory foods make tannins taste bitter | Avoid tannic reds with Asian cuisine |
| Aromatics + Aromatics | Big flavors need wines that can compete | Aromatic wines with bold spices |
The golden rule: When in doubt, reach for Riesling. It handles more cuisines than any other grape.
Thai Food Wine Pairing
Thai cuisine combines sweet, sour, spicy, and salty in ways that challenge most wines. The key: embrace sweetness and avoid tannins.
The Complete Thai Pairing Chart
| Thai Dish | Best Wine Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Pad Thai | Off-dry Riesling ($15 to $25), Gewürztraminer | Sweetness balances tamarind, handles heat |
| Green Curry | German Spätlese Riesling ($18 to $30) | Sugar tames chili, acid matches lime |
| Massaman Curry | Chenin Blanc ($12 to $20), Torrontés | Aromatic wines match warm spices |
| Red Curry | Riesling Kabinett ($15 to $25), Moscato | Sweetness essential for heat |
| Tom Yum Soup | Grüner Veltliner ($15 to $22) | Herbal wine matches lemongrass |
| Larb | Dry Rosé ($12 to $20), Beaujolais ($14 to $22) | Light wines won’t overpower |
| Mango Sticky Rice | Moscato d’Asti ($14 to $20) | Dessert wine with dessert |
The MVP for Thai Food
German Riesling (Kabinett or Spätlese level): $15 to $30
The slight sweetness calms chili heat. High acidity matches citrus and lime. Floral aromatics stand up to lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime. It’s almost unfair how perfectly Riesling handles Thai food.
Specific bottles to look for: Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling ($15), Selbach-Oster Kabinett ($18), Joh. Jos. Prüm Spätlese ($30)
Sushi and Japanese Food Wine Pairing
Raw fish has delicate flavors that heavy wines destroy. Think clean, crisp, and mineral.
The Complete Japanese Pairing Chart
| Japanese Dish | Best Wine Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Sashimi | Champagne ($40+), Muscadet ($12 to $18) | Bubbles cleanse, minerals match |
| Nigiri | Chablis ($20 to $35), Grüner Veltliner | Clean wines don’t overpower |
| Spicy Rolls | Off-dry Riesling ($15 to $25) | Sweetness handles spice |
| Tempura | Champagne ($40+), Prosecco ($12 to $18) | Bubbles cut through oil |
| Teriyaki | Pinot Noir ($18 to $35), Gamay ($14 to $22) | Light reds with sweet glaze |
| Ramen | Beaujolais ($14 to $22), light Pinot Noir | Umami needs low tannin |
| Tonkatsu | Champagne ($40+), crisp Chardonnay | Acid cuts pork fat |
The MVP for Japanese Food
Champagne or Quality Sparkling Wine: $25 to $60
Bubbles cleanse your palate between bites. Acidity complements vinegared sushi rice. Toast notes don’t overpower delicate fish. Plus, sushi and Champagne feels like a celebration.
Budget alternative: Muscadet ($12 to $18). Bone dry, mineral, inexpensive. Grown on oyster shells, made for seafood.
Specific bottles: Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs ($35), Muscadet Sèvre et Maine ($14), Billecart-Salmon Brut ($55)
Indian Food Wine Pairing
India’s spice complexity demands wines with aromatic intensity and enough sweetness to handle heat.
The Complete Indian Pairing Chart
| Indian Dish | Best Wine Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Tikka Masala | Gewürztraminer ($15 to $28), off-dry Riesling | Aromatic wines match spices |
| Vindaloo | German Kabinett Riesling ($15 to $25) | Sweetness essential for extreme heat |
| Butter Chicken | Viognier ($15 to $28), white Rhône blend | Rich wine with rich sauce |
| Saag Paneer | Grüner Veltliner ($15 to $22), Albariño | Herbal wine with greens |
| Biryani | Rosé ($12 to $20), white Côtes du Rhône | Versatile with mixed flavors |
| Samosas | Sparkling wine ($15 to $30), Vinho Verde | Bubbles cut through fried pastry |
| Dal | Chenin Blanc ($12 to $20), dry Riesling | Medium body with lentils |
| Lamb Rogan Josh | Shiraz ($15 to $25), GSM blend | Bold wine with bold meat dish |
The MVP for Indian Food
Gewürztraminer: $15 to $28
The floral, lychee aromatics naturally complement Indian spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and garam masala. The slight sweetness tames heat. Enough body to handle rich sauces.
For extreme heat: Go sweeter. German Spätlese Riesling. Sugar is a fire extinguisher for your palate.
Specific bottles: Trimbach Gewürztraminer ($22), Hugel Gewürztraminer ($18), Zind-Humbrecht ($35)
Mexican Food Wine Pairing
Cheese, beans, meat, chili peppers, and lime need wines that can handle bold, layered flavors.
The Complete Mexican Pairing Chart
| Mexican Dish | Best Wine Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Carnitas Tacos | Malbec ($12 to $22), Tempranillo | Soft tannins with pork |
| Fish Tacos | Albariño ($14 to $22), Sauvignon Blanc | Bright citrus matches lime |
| Carne Asada | Malbec ($15 to $28), Cabernet | Bold red with grilled beef |
| Burritos | Garnacha ($12 to $20), Zinfandel | Fruity reds handle everything |
| Enchiladas | Côtes du Rhône ($14 to $22), Malbec | Medium body with saucy dishes |
| Guacamole + Chips | Sauvignon Blanc ($12 to $18), Vinho Verde | Crisp wines with creamy dip |
| Mole | Zinfandel ($18 to $30), Syrah | Complex wine with complex sauce |
| Quesadillas | Rosé ($12 to $18), Garnacha | Cheese loves medium-bodied wines |
The MVP for Mexican Food
Argentine Malbec: $12 to $25
Plush fruit handles spice without fighting. Soft tannins work beautifully with beans and cheese. Full enough for beef but not so heavy it overwhelms chicken or pork fillings.
For fish tacos specifically: Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc. Keep it bright and citrusy.
Specific bottles: Catena Malbec ($18), Alamos Malbec ($12), Trapiche Broquel ($15), Martin Codax Albariño ($14)
Chinese Food Wine Pairing
Chinese cuisine ranges from delicate Cantonese to fiery Sichuan. Match the regional style.
The Complete Chinese Pairing Chart
| Chinese Dish | Best Wine Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet and Sour | Off-dry Riesling ($15 to $25), Lambrusco | Slight sweetness matches sauce |
| Kung Pao Chicken | Gewürztraminer ($15 to $25), Riesling | Handles heat and peanuts |
| Mapo Tofu | Riesling Kabinett ($15 to $25), Crémant | Needs sweetness for numbing spice |
| Peking Duck | Pinot Noir ($20 to $35), Gamay | Light red with rich duck |
| Dim Sum | Champagne ($35+), Crémant ($15 to $25) | Bubbles with variety of bites |
| Lo Mein | Beaujolais ($14 to $22), light rosé | Simple wine with noodles |
| General Tso’s | Off-dry Riesling ($15 to $25) | Sweet/spicy needs sweet wine |
| Mongolian Beef | Malbec ($12 to $22), Shiraz | Bold red with bold beef |
The MVP for Chinese Food
Riesling (pattern emerging?): $12 to $30
German Riesling’s versatility handles Chinese food’s sweet sauces, spicy dishes, and umami depths.
For Sichuan: Go sweeter (off-dry) to handle the numbing mala spice.
For Cantonese: Go drier to respect delicate flavors.
Specific bottles: Dr. Loosen ($15), Selbach-Oster ($18), Donnhoff ($28)
Pizza Wine Pairing
Pizza deserves its own category. It’s sacred territory.
The Complete Pizza Pairing Chart
| Pizza Style | Best Wine Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Margherita | Chianti ($12 to $20), Barbera | Tomato + Italian wine = perfect |
| Pepperoni | Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ($10 to $18) | Rustic wine with cured meat |
| Meat Lovers | Zinfandel ($15 to $28), Primitivo | Bold wine for bold toppings |
| Veggie | Barbera ($14 to $22), Valpolicella | Medium body for vegetables |
| White Pizza | Verdicchio ($12 to $18), Soave | Creamy pizza needs crisp wine |
| Hawaiian | Off-dry Riesling ($15 to $22) | Sweetness matches pineapple |
| Buffalo Chicken | Rosé ($12 to $18), Lambrusco | Handles heat and cheese |
| Supreme | Chianti Classico ($18 to $28) | Complex wine for complex pizza |
The MVP for Pizza
Italian Reds: Chianti, Barbera, or Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: $10 to $25
Tomato sauce has high acidity. Italian reds match it perfectly. This synergy is built into the culture, developed over centuries.
Specific bottles: Ruffino Chianti ($12), Vietti Barbera d’Asti ($18), Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ($14)
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Wine Pairing
The Complete Mediterranean Pairing Chart
| Dish | Best Wine Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Gyros | Assyrtiko ($18 to $28), Xinomavro | Greek food + Greek wine |
| Falafel | Rosé ($12 to $18), Grüner Veltliner | Light wines with fried chickpeas |
| Hummus/Mezze | Rosé ($12 to $18), white Rhône | Versatile wines for variety |
| Moussaka | Agiorgitiko ($15 to $25), Syrah | Rich red with rich casserole |
| Shawarma | Côtes du Rhône ($14 to $22), Garnacha | Spiced meat loves Rhône reds |
| Kebabs | GSM blend ($15 to $25), Garnacha | Grilled meat + Mediterranean wine |
The MVP for Mediterranean
Greek Wines: Assyrtiko (white), Agiorgitiko (red): $15 to $28
Geographic harmony. The wines evolved alongside the food over thousands of years.
The Emergency Cheat Sheet
When in doubt, use this quick reference:
| Cuisine | Safe Bet Wine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Thai | Off-dry Riesling | $15 to $25 |
| Japanese/Sushi | Champagne or Prosecco | $15 to $50 |
| Indian | Gewürztraminer | $15 to $28 |
| Mexican | Malbec or Rosé | $12 to $22 |
| Chinese | Riesling | $12 to $28 |
| Pizza | Italian red (Chianti) | $10 to $20 |
| Mediterranean | Rosé or Greek wines | $12 to $25 |
The 4 Emergency Bottles to Always Have
Stock these, and you’re covered for 90% of takeout scenarios:
- Off-dry German Riesling ($15 to $25): Handles spice and sweetness across all Asian cuisines
- Dry Rosé ($12 to $18): Works with almost everything, especially in warm weather
- Sparkling wine ($15 to $35): Elevates any meal, cuts through fried food
- Malbec ($12 to $20): Friendly with all bold flavors, especially Mexican and pizza
Use Sommo to scan wines and check food pairing suggestions. Match your takeout order to what’s already in your wine rack.
