Raising a glass to curry: The wine that's proving to be a hit with spicy food

Ashraf Sharif's entrepreneurial career had a few false starts, but his range of wines to go with Indian food is proving to be a winner.
By Kate Hilpern  Published: 08 May 2007

One in four people in Britain eats a curry at least once a week. Couple this with British people's growing love of wine and you'll see why Ashraf Sharif's business idea has been such a hit. Balti Wine, his simple range of five wines to complement spicy foods, is already revolutionising the drinking habits of curry lovers and the company looks set to grow from strength to strength.

"It's no gimmick," insists Sharif, 53, whose headquarters are in Newton Heath, Manchester. Indeed, it took four years of extensive research in collaboration with Manchester University's food science department, and samples from around the globe, before Sharif and his advisers were happy with the grape selections. continue...