Opinion

UNCORKED: Skip the beer and margaritas, here's how to pair wine with Mexican food

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette file photo
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette file photo

A lot of people think Mexican food doesn't lend itself to wine and you're stuck with the choice of beer or margaritas.

But over the past few years, this perception has been changing and wine drinkers are no longer left settling for just any white house wine. As with other food and wine pairing it requires understanding the elements and a few tips.

I try not to use the term "rule" when it comes to very many wine and food pairings, but Mexican may be the exception.

The rule:

Avoid mixing high heat foods with high alcohol wines. Period.

Failure to do so may be why so many people opt for beer or margaritas. Higher alcohol content will intensify the spiciness of the food and at times to a point where the combination is unpleasant. Many wines just cannot match with the spicy bold flavors of Mexican foods.

The best wines are lighter bodied, lower alcohol wines with refreshing acidity.

The other thing to keep in mind are the key flavors. As with any food and wine pairing begin with the dominant flavor or sauce in the dish.

• Tomato and tomatillo sauces with Riesling, sauvignon blanc, albarino

The Value

2018 Snoqualmie Naked Riesling, Washington (about $13)

The Splurge

2018 Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Washington (about $17)

• Mole sauces with gewurztraminer, Riesling, chardonnay, pinot gris

The Value

2018 Acrobat Oregon Pinot Gris, Oregon (about $12)

The Splurge

2018 Hugel Gewurztraminer, France (about $29)

• Adobo sauces with chenin blanc, gruner veltliner, unoaked chardonnay, pinot gris

The Value

2018 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc, California (about $13)

The Splurge

2018 Raptor Ridge Gruner Veltliner, Oregon (about $20)

• Pipian (pumpkin seed) sauces with unoaked chardonnay, sparkling, Riesling

The Value

2018 A by Acacia Unoaked Chardonnay, California (about $12)

The Splurge

NV Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blanc, California (about $23)

• Chipotle sauces with malbec, tempranillo, sparkling, rosé

The Value

2018 Toso Brut Sparkling, Argentina (about $13)

The Splurge

2018 Antigal Uno Malbec, Argentina (about $18)

• Cream and cheese sauces with sangiovese, barbera, moscato

The Value

2018 Tercos Mendoza Sangiovese, Argentina (about $12)

The Splurge

2018 High Valley Barbera, California (about $20)

• Light citrus sauces with Riesling, albarino, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc

The Value

2018 Klinker Brick Albarino, California (about $15)

The Splurge

2018 A to Z Oregon Pinot Gris, Oregon (about $19)

Lorri Hambuchen is a member of London's Institute of Wines and Spirits. Email:

uncorked@thewinecenter.com

Food on 05/13/2020

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