Tandoori and a Riesling — it works
Downtown Naperville · Naperville · Indian / Middle Eastern · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 2, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Khyber Pass’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Khyber Pass is short, familiar, and clearly not the main event — but it's priced for the room and doesn't try to be something it's not. For a casual Indian spot in downtown Naperville, the fact that the list exists and functions is half the battle. You're here for the lamb curry, not a Burgundy deep dive, and the list seems to understand that.
The list runs 20 to 40 bottles with a lean toward California and Washington State standbys, with a nod to France. You'll recognize every label — Chateau Ste. Michelle, Kim Crawford, Meiomi — which tells you exactly who this list is built for: guests who want something easy and familiar alongside their tikka masala. There's no adventurous importing happening here, no boutique producers, no surprises lurking on page two. What it lacks in ambition it makes up for in practicality — these are crowd-pleasers that actually work reasonably well with spiced food.
Six to ten pours by the glass gives you enough to work with, and the range hits the obvious bases — a white, a red, probably a rosé somewhere in the mix. The Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling almost certainly anchors the glass program and is honestly the smartest pour on the menu given the cuisine. Don't expect the list to rotate with the seasons.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $9
Off-dry Riesling and Indian food is one of the most logical pairings in the business — the residual sugar cools the heat, the acidity cuts through richness. Ste. Michelle does this reliably at a price that won't sting.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
Most people at an Indian restaurant instinctively reach for a red or beer. The Riesling here is the quietly correct answer that most tables walk right past — especially effective against the tandoori dishes.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is a grocery store bottle that shows up on restaurant lists at a significant markup. It's not a bad wine, but you're paying restaurant prices for something that belongs in a checkout lane. The food here doesn't need it either — a jammy, 13.5% Pinot isn't doing any favors next to a vindaloo.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc + Vegetarian dishes
The herbaceous snap and citrus edge of Kim Crawford cuts cleanly through vegetable curries and lentil-based dishes, lifting the spice without fighting it. It's a reliable match that keeps the meal light and refreshing.
The Bottom Line
Khyber Pass isn't a wine destination and it knows it — but the list is priced fairly, anchored by a Riesling that was practically made for this cuisine, and functional enough that you won't regret ordering a bottle. Go for the food, drink the Riesling, leave happy.
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