Tamarind

White · Medium · Dry

The most-planted white grape and the most chameleon-like. Crisp and steely from Chablis; rich, oaky, and tropical from California. Read the label, then match the style to the dish.

Works with Tamarind · Tamarind Pulp · Tamarind Duck +4 more Tamarind · Tamarind Pulp · Tamarind Duck · Duck Tamarind · Tamarind Sauce · Tamarind Chicken · Tamarind Black Cod

Red · Light · Dry

Burgundy's most temperamental grape, but the rewards are real — translucent ruby with a perfumed lift of red cherry, forest floor, and clove. Silken tannins and bright acid make it the most versatile red on the table; serve cool, around 58°F.

Works with Tamarind · Tamarind Pulp · Tamarind Duck +3 more Tamarind · Tamarind Pulp · Tamarind Duck · Duck Tamarind · Tamarind Sauce · Tamarind Chicken

White · Light · Dry

Citrus, cut grass, and a wire of acid. Marlborough makes it loudest; Sancerre makes it most refined. Either way, it cuts cleanly through goat cheese, herbs, and anything with shellfish.

Works with Tamarind Duck · Duck Tamarind · Tamarind Salmon +3 more Tamarind Duck · Duck Tamarind · Tamarind Salmon · Tamarind Chicken · Tamarind Black Cod · Tamarind Citrus Shrimp

Rosé · Light · Dry

Provence's gift to summer — dry, pale, faintly strawberry-and-citrus, with low alcohol and crisp acid. Made to drink cold, with food, in the shade.

Works with Tamarind · Tamarind Pulp · Tamarind Sauce +1 more Tamarind · Tamarind Pulp · Tamarind Sauce · Tamarind Chicken

Sparkling · Light · Dry

Spain's traditional-method sparkling, made in Catalunya. Crisper and chalkier than Prosecco; remarkable value next to Champagne. Pair with jamón, tortilla, and grilled vegetables.

Works with Tamarind · Tamarind Pulp · Tamarind Sauce

Red · Medium · Dry

Pinot Noir (red) or Chardonnay (white) from the world's most expensive dirt. Translucent, perfumed, ethereal at the top of the hierarchy; honest and pleasant lower down. Drink slowly, with reverence.

Works with Tamarind Duck · Duck Tamarind

Red · Medium · Dry

The blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre that fills every wine list in France for a reason — friendly, peppery, slightly rustic, made to wash down anything from grilled vegetables to lamb stew.

Works with Tamarind Duck · Duck Tamarind

White · Light · Dry

Galicia's gift to summer — citrus, peach, salt air, and acid like a knife. Made for shellfish, paella, and any dish that involves the sea.

White · Medium · Dry

Same grape as Pinot Grigio, different attitude — the Alsatian style is richer, fuller, faintly honeyed, with the structure to handle pork, smoked fish, and Asian aromatics.

Red · Medium · Dry

Mendoza Malbec, the global benchmark — high-altitude vineyards giving deep purple wines with plum, violet, cocoa, and soft tannins. Reliably excellent at most price points.

Red · Medium · Dry

Mendoza Malbec country — plummy, full-bodied reds with cocoa, violet, and supple tannins. Reliably excellent at most price points.

Sparkling · Light · Dry

Méthode champenoise from the most chalk-rich corner of France — fine bubbles, brioche, lemon zest, and a finish that goes on for half a minute. The wine for anything fried, salty, or special.