Spice Meets Burgundy, Nobody Loses
Midtown West · New York · Indian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 8, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Indian Accent’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Opening a wine list at an upscale Indian restaurant and finding Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Egon Müller Scharzhofberger alongside Blandy's Madeira is not something we expected — and honestly, it's the best kind of surprise. This isn't a list that was bolted on as an afterthought; someone thought hard about what actually works with complex spice-driven food. The result is one of the more interesting wine programs in Midtown.
With 350–500 bottles anchored in France, Germany, Austria, Italy, California, and Oregon, Indian Accent's list reads like a greatest-hits compilation for people who actually know wine. The Alsace and German Riesling presence — Egon Müller, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht — is a smart move given how well those wines handle spice and heat. Burgundy runs deep, with Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet and DRC on the shelf for those who want to go all the way. The Madeira section (Blandy's, Rare Wine Co.) is a genuinely rare find and feels perfectly intentional for a restaurant that leans into bold, layered flavors. Ridge Monte Bello and Eyrie Vineyards round out the New World side without letting it get sloppy.
Twelve to eighteen pours by the glass gives the list real breathing room — enough to experiment without committing to a full bottle on a menu that rewards exploration. We'd push toward the Alsatian or Austrian options if they're on the glass list, since those wines are built for exactly this kind of food. Rotation details weren't confirmed, but with sommelier Faridj Ait running the program, we'd expect the pours to reflect the same intentionality as the bottle list.
Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner — $60–$80 est.
Grüner Veltliner and Indian spice is one of wine's great underrated matches — the peppery, high-acid profile cuts through richness and doesn't flinch at heat. Bründlmayer is a serious producer making this a genuinely good bottle at the lower end of the price range.
Blandy's Madeira
Most tables walk right past the Madeira section, which is their loss. Blandy's brings oxidative complexity and a sweet-savory balance that makes it a fascinating match for the bolder, more intensely spiced dishes on the menu — or an unconventional closer at the end of the meal.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
DRC on any restaurant list is going to carry a markup that would make a grown adult cry. At Indian Accent, the premium is real and the food — however excellent — isn't the setting where you want to spend that kind of money on a bottle. Save DRC for somewhere you can give it your full, undivided attention.
Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling + Meetha Achar Old Delhi Lamb
The lamb's sweet pickle brine and rich spicing need something with serious acidity and a touch of residual sweetness to keep pace — that's Scharzhofberger to a tee. German Riesling at this level doesn't just survive the dish, it makes both the food and the wine taste better.
The Bottom Line
Indian Accent holds a Best of Award of Excellence for a reason — this is a wine list built with genuine curiosity about what belongs next to modern Indian cuisine, not just what fills a page. Prices get steep at the top end, but the depth and intentionality here are worth the trip.
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Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Three happy hour wines do not a wine program make. Ocean Prime is a place you eat well and drink safely — but if wine is a priority, this list will let you down before the bread basket arrives.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Midtown · New York · Steakhouse
STK Midtown is a great place to see and be seen, but the wine list is there to pad the check, not to excite you. If you're here for the experience, lean on the cocktails or grab a glass of Bonanza at the bar — don't expect the bottle list to reward any real curiosity.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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The Russian Tea Room treats wine as an afterthought dressed up in Champagne flutes — five famous labels at punishing prices with no range, no by-the-glass program, and no apparent curiosity about wine beyond what looks impressive on a table. Go for the spectacle, order the caviar, but don't come here expecting a wine list.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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David Burke Tavern's list is a Chardonnay lover's comfort zone with a solid sparkling section propping up the top — but the narrow focus and steep pricing mean you're paying for familiarity, not discovery. Send a friend here if they want California whites and a glass of Champagne; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lafayette Street · Canandaigua · Indian
Flavors isn't a wine destination, but it's not pretending to be one either — the list is honest, the prices are fair, and the Fox Run Riesling alone justifies ordering a bottle. Come for the food, drink the Riesling, and don't overthink it.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Near Falls · Niagara Falls · Indian
Zaika isn't a wine destination, but the Niagara half of this list is a legitimate reason to skip the mango lassi and explore what's growing 20 minutes away. For Falls-area dining, that's more than we expected.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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India Palace is a genuinely solid spot for Indian food in Duluth, but the wine program is collecting dust. Steep markups, a California-only list that ignores everything that actually works with spiced cuisine, and zero signs of anyone caring enough to change it — order a mango lassi and save the wine for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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