Although beer is perhaps more popular with take away Mexican food, many restaurants have extensive wine lists and may recommend a wine to suit. But if you are serving Mexican Food at home for a dinner party it is handy to know which wines pair best with various Mexican dishes and sauces.
Of course, Mexico now produces some excellent wines from its own vineyards. The National Viticulture Association, set up in the 1980s, has fostered prestige wine production in Mexico. The main varieties grown in Mexico are:
Red Wines ► Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Grenache, Carignan, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.
White Wines ► Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon,
Riesling, Palomino, Moscatel, Macabeo, Chenin Blanc, Chasselas and Chardonnay.
This article provides some tips for pairing wines with Mexican Food.
Below are three general rules to use as a guide:
1. Generally match the color of the wine to the color of the meat. White wine is generally best with chicken and seafood dishes.
2. The more spicy the food, the colder and sweeter the choice of wine.
3. Dishes rich in herbs require fruity wines with high acidity such as Sauvignon Blanc
Tortillas with Toppings: Tacos, Chalupas, Sopes, Tostadas
Wines ► Dry Rosé, lighter-style Spanish Garnacha, Lambrusco, Cannonau from Sardegna
Stuffed Masa dough dishes: Tamales, Gorditas, Enchiladas
Wines ► Tempranillo Rosé, Reserva Rioja, Cab Franc Rosé, Tempranillo
Savory-Sweet Dishes; Empanadas, Chile Rellenos
Wines ► Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Torrontes, Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, Garnacha Rosé.
Cheese Dishes: Queso Fundido, Quesadillas
Wines ► Sangiovese, Tempranillo
Red Meats: Such as Barbacoa, Carne Asada
Wines ► Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Carmenere, Douro Reds,
Spicy Meats: Chorizo
Wines ► Sweet chilled wines such as Mozelle, Rieling, Moscato d’Asti
Pork: Al Pastor, Carnitas
Wines► Sparkling Brut Rosé
Pozole (chicken and pork broth)
Wines ► White Port or similar
Rice Dishes: Arroz con Pollo, Arroz con Camarones
► Sauvignon Blanc, Vihno Verde, Albariño
Achiote Paste
Wines ► Zinfandel
Adobo Sauce
Wines► Cremant de Bordeaux, Prosecco, Moscato d’Asti,
Chiltomate (Yucatan) Sauce
Wines ► Prosecco, Moscato d’Asti
Enchilada Sauce
Wines ► Sangiovese
Chili Sauce (red)
Wines ► German Riesling
Chile Sauce (green)
Wines ► Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc
Guacamole
Wines ► Verdejo, Dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc
Molé Sauce
Wines ► Amontillado Sherry
Pico de Gallo
Wines ► Albariño, Vihno Verde, Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner
Ranchero Sauce
Wines ► Cabernet Franc, Gamay or Carmenere,
Tomatillo Salsa
Wines ► Sauvignon Blanc or Verdejo
Burritos
Wines ► Tempranillo, Sangiovese or Montepulciano
Fajitas
Wines ► Primitivo
Hardshell Tacos
Wines ► Rioja Reserva
Chili Con Carne
Wines ► Cava and Champagne
Chimichangas
Wines ► Extra-Brut Cava