Spice Meets Burgundy in the Flatiron
Flatiron · New York · Indian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 8, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Junoon’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Junoon, the wine list feels like it belongs in a different ZIP code than 'modern Indian restaurant' — in the best possible way. A 350-500 bottle program anchored by serious Burgundy and German Riesling at an upscale Flatiron spot signals that someone here actually cares. This is not the afterthought wine list that most cuisine-forward restaurants phone in.
The backbone of this list is French and it leans hard into Burgundy — we're talking Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet territory, which is a flex at any restaurant, let alone one known for lamb chops and vindaloo. Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin rounds out the red Burgundy depth nicely for those who don't want to mortgage anything to drink well. Germany gets genuine respect here — Trimbach's Clos Sainte Hune and Egon Müller Scharzhofberger aren't list fillers, they're intentional picks that make sense alongside spice-driven food. California shows up meaningfully too, with Ridge Monte Bello and Kistler Chardonnay covering the prestige end of the New World.
With 16-24 options by the glass, there's enough rotation to keep regulars from ordering the same pour twice. The by-the-glass program skews toward European whites — smart given the menu's spice profile and the way Alsatian and German selections cut through heat. We'd love to see more transparency on exactly which pours are cycling through at any given time, but sommelier Young Kim's presence on the floor means you can just ask.
Müller-Catoir Riesling Spätlese — $60
At the entry point of this list, Müller-Catoir is a legitimate producer from the Pfalz making Riesling that punches well above its price tier. Off-dry with real structure, it's one of the smartest moves on the list for navigating Junoon's spice-forward menu without breaking the bank.
Domaine Weinbach Alsace Riesling
Most tables at Junoon will gravitate toward the Burgundy names they recognize, and Domaine Weinbach quietly sits there being one of the great Alsace producers at a fraction of the DRC drama. Its aromatic complexity and weight make it a surprisingly ideal match for the kitchen's layered sauces — and most diners walk right past it.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Look, DRC on a list is always a conversation piece, and we respect the ambition. But unless you're celebrating something life-altering, the markup on top-tier Burgundy trophy bottles at a restaurant is rarely where you want to be. The list has plenty of genuine depth at prices that don't require a second mortgage — spend that energy elsewhere on this list.
Trimbach Riesling Clos Sainte Hune + Halibut with coconut-curry sauce
Clos Sainte Hune is a dry, mineral, age-worthy Alsatian Riesling with enough body and acidity to stand up to coconut-curry without getting swallowed. The wine's citrus and stone-fruit notes echo the brightness of the dish while its structure holds the line against the fat of the coconut. This is the pairing that makes you understand why Junoon bothered building a serious wine list.
The Bottom Line
Junoon has built one of the more legitimately interesting wine lists in New York's Indian dining scene — serious Burgundy, smart German picks, and a sommelier who knows the food. Markups on the prestige bottles are what they are in this city, but there's enough depth at reasonable prices that you don't have to play that game.
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