Why Pair Wine with Mexican Food?

Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration held on May 5 annually to commemorate Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is more popular in the U.S. than in Mexico and Americans seem to celebrate with too many beers or Margaritas. But the tantalizing favors of Mexico should be paired with wine.

Here are a few amazing wine and Mexican food pairings.

• Seafood Ceviche – Choose a crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or Alberino that pairs with the clean flavors of seafood, lime, cilantro, and tomatillos.
• Grilled Dishes – Grilled, marinaded flap steak with smoky chipotle and lime flavors pair perfectly with Malbec, Tempranillo, and Syrah. Or grilled pork dishes go toward a medium red such as a Pinot Noir.
• Moles – The layers of flavors of moles are mind blowing when done right. This traditional Mexican sauce and marinade contains fruits, nuts like almonds, chili peppers such a guajillo and ancho, and spices including cocoa bean, black pepper, cinnamon, and cumin. There are so many different moles depending on the ingredients and the region of origin. Try a fruit forward wine like a Zinfandel, Barbera, or Petite Sirah.
• Quesadilla – Corn or flour tortillas covered with stringy, melted white or yellow cheese topped with green or red salsa, onions, and guacamole pair an amazing crisp wine with high acid that can cut through the cheese and complement the condiments. Try a Sauvignon Blanc or super dry Riesling or Chenin Blanc.

Tacos – These simple street foods are amazing to make and pair wine. Here are six of our favorites.
Spicy Chicken Taco – Riesling or Grüner Veltliner from Austria.
Steak Taco – Rioja or Grenache.
Fried Chicken Taco – Blanc de Blanc Champagne.
Fish Taco – Champagne or a light, high acid white wine.
Spicy Hatch Chili Taco – German Riesling.
Tacos Al Pastor (marinaded pork with a mix of chilis and spiced, pineapple, onion, and coriander) – dry Rosé wines.

Do not wait for May each year to celebrate Mexican foods and certainly do not automatically choose a margarita. Try these exceptional wine pairings. Consider purchasing LDV Winery wines to pair with your Mexican fiesta. Buy wine HERE.