🍛 Navratan Curry & Wine

3 min read

🥘 Introduction

Navratan Curry — literally “nine jewels” — is a rich, creamy, and mildly spiced North Indian curry made with a colorful assortment of vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Its origins date back to the Mughal court, symbolizing abundance and celebration.

🕌 Dish Name & Cultural Context

Navratan Curry is a festive dish, often served at weddings and Diwali feasts. Inspired by Mughal cuisine, it combines Persian influences (dried fruits, nuts, cream) with Indian spice traditions. The “nine jewels” refer to a medley of ingredients that add color, texture, and flavor.

🥕 Key Ingredients & Preparation Style

• Mixed vegetables (carrot, beans, peas, potatoes, bell peppers)
• Paneer cubes
• Cashews, raisins, pineapple
• Aromatics: ginger, garlic, onion
• Spices: cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves, turmeric, coriander, garam masala
• Cream or yogurt for richness
• Ghee for flavor

Preparation involves gently sautéing vegetables, simmering them in a spiced onion-tomato base, enriching with cream, and adding pineapple and raisins for a sweet finish.

👃 Flavor & Texture Profile

• Taste: Mild spice, gentle sweetness, nutty richness
• Texture: Creamy sauce, tender vegetables, crunchy nuts
• Aroma: Warm spices with fruity undertones
• Overall: Luxurious yet balanced

🔬 Science Behind Spice & Wine Interactions

• Acidity in wine cuts creaminess.
• Aromatic whites with slight sweetness complement fruity and nutty notes.
• Low-tannin reds avoid spice-tannin clashes.
• Spice compounds like eugenol (clove) and cinnamaldehyde (cinnamon) pair with wines showing floral or stone fruit character.

🍷 Ideal Wine Pairings: Science & Art of Selection

⚪ White Wines

1. Sula Vineyards Riesling (Nashik, India) 🇮🇳
   • Why it Works: Off-dry with peach and citrus, balancing pineapple’s sweetness and refreshing the palate.
   • Try From: Sula Vineyards, York Winery.
2. Gewürztraminer (Alsace, France) 🇫🇷
   • Why it Works: Lychee and rose aromas echo the curry’s fruity-floral notes; gentle sweetness calms spice.
   • Try From: Trimbach, Hugel & Fils.
3. Grüner Veltliner (Kamptal, Austria) 🇦🇹
   • Why it Works: Crisp acidity with white pepper complements spice while citrus brightens creaminess.
   • Try From: Schloss Gobelsburg, Bründlmayer.

🔴 Red Wines

1. Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 🇺🇸
   • Why it Works: Light body and red fruit enhance sweetness from raisins; soft tannins keep spice balanced.
   • Try From: Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Elk Cove.
2. Gamay (Beaujolais-Villages, France) 🇫🇷
   • Why it Works: Juicy berry flavors with low tannin match the curry’s gentle spice.
   • Try From: Jean Foillard, Louis Jadot.
3. Zweigelt (Burgenland, Austria) 🇦🇹
   • Why it Works: Fresh cherry and subtle spice complement without overpowering.
   • Try From: Umathum, Moric.

🌟 Alternate Wines: Unexpected Pairings

• Sparkling Rosé — Lifts cream with bubbles, matches fruity tones.
• Demi-Sec Champagne — Mild sweetness and finesse.
• Moscato d’Asti — Lightly sparkling and floral for spice-sensitive palates.

⚠️ Wines to Avoid & Common Mistakes

💡 Final Thoughts & Expert Tips

Think fruity, aromatic, low-tannin for Navratan Curry. Wines with a touch of sweetness bring harmony; crisp acidity refreshes after each bite.
Fun fact: Mughal royal versions used edible silver leaf — imagine pairing that with sparkling wine for a regal touch!

📜 Recipe & Wine-Friendly Adjustments

🥗 Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed vegetables
• 1 cup paneer cubes
• ½ cup pineapple chunks
• ¼ cup raisins
• ¼ cup cashews
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tomatoes (pureed)
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• ½ tsp garam masala
• 2 cardamoms, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 cloves
• ½ cup cream or yogurt
• Salt to taste

👩‍🍳 Preparation

1. Heat ghee, toast cashews, set aside.
2. Sauté spices and onion.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste, cook until fragrant.
4. Stir in tomatoes, turmeric, coriander; cook until oil separates.
5. Add vegetables, paneer, raisins, pineapple; season.
6. Stir in cream, simmer.
7. Garnish with cashews.

🍽 Wine-friendly Tips

• Lower chili levels for delicate wines.
• Use fresh pineapple for lively acidity.