Cinco de Mayo is a celebration held on May 5th every year to commemorate Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. While it is often mistakenly thought of as Mexico’s Independence Day (which is actually September 16th), Cinco de Mayo has become a popular day to celebrate Mexican culture, food and drinks in the United States and around the world. When it comes to beverages, tequila and beer may come to mind first, but wine can also be a great addition to any Cinco de Mayo celebration. Choosing the right wine to pair with typical Cinco de Mayo foods like tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and more can elevate the flavors and make for an amazing fiesta. Here are some tips on picking wines that will go nicely with favorite Mexican dishes on Cinco de Mayo.
What Food is Typically Eaten on Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo spreads and parties generally feature many classic Mexican staples that are perfect for celebrating. Here are some of the top foods that are commonly enjoyed on this festive day:
- Tacos – Both hard and soft shell varieties filled with meat, veggies, cheese and more.
- Quesadillas – Grilled tortillas with melted cheese and other fillings like chicken or steak.
- Enchiladas – Corn tortillas rolled around fillings and covered in sauce.
- Nachos – Tortilla chips topped with cheese, beans, salsa and other fixings.
- Guacamole – Avocado-based dip typically made with lime juice and seasonings.
- Salsa – Dip made from chopped tomatoes, onions, chilies and cilantro.
- Empanadas – Baked or fried pastries filled with meats, cheese or fruit.
- Tamales – Savory masa dough with meat or cheese fillings, steamed in corn husks or banana leaves.
The flavors tend to rely heavily on ingredients like corn, beans, tomatoes, avocados, cheese and different meats like chicken, steak, pork or chorizo. Various peppers like jalapeños, poblanos and ancho chilies are also very common and bring spicy heat. With such robust and varied foods being enjoyed, the wines paired with them really need to be able to stand up and complement the dishes.
What Wine Characteristics Work Well with Popular Cinco de Mayo Foods?
When figuring out what wines to drink with Cinco de Mayo meals, there are a few key characteristics to keep in mind:
Fruity and Medium to High Acidity
Since Mexican cuisine tends to feature lots of bold, bright flavors, wines with prominent fruity notes and good acidity help cleanse the palate. Acidity balances out the richness from ingredients like cheese, beans and avocados. Fruity whites like Sauvignon Blanc and lighter reds like Pinot Noir are great options.
Lower Alcohol
Many dishes served for Cinco de Mayo pack some heat thanks to spices and chilies. Lower alcohol wines (around 12% ABV or less) tone down the burn instead of amplifying it like bolder wines might. Light-bodied reds and crisp whites work well.
Minerally and Dry
The tomato-based salsas, bean dips and taco fillings call for wines with some dryness and minerality to cut through the heavier textures. Dry Rieslings, Rosés and Sauvignon Blancs fit the bill.
Restrained Oak
While oaky wines can pair alright with meat-centric dishes like carne asada, in most cases the lighter oak influence lets the wine complement without overpowering the food. Reds with subtle oak like a Rioja work nicely.
Best White Wine Varietals for Cinco de Mayo
White wines offer versatility with the range of flavors at a Cinco de Mayo gathering. Here are some excellent white wine grapes and regions to consider:
Sauvignon Blanc
This white makes a smart all-around choice. Hailing from cool climate regions like New Zealand and Northern France, Sauvignon Blanc boasts grassy, citrusy flavor along with zippy acidity. It meshes well with spicy salsas and cheese dishes. The herbal notes complement cilantro and lime prominent in the food.
Chardonnay
Full-bodied, food-friendly Chardonnay is a safe option, especially when aged in steel rather than oak. The orchard fruit notes partner seamlessly with empanadas and cream-based dishes. Warmer climate regions like California produce great affordable options.
Riesling
Dry Rieslings from Germany and Alsace ride the line between fruity and minerally. Their racy acidityallows them to work with enchiladas in mole sauce and cut through the richness. Off-dry styles balance the heat of spicier tamales or tacos.
Albariño
From Spain’s Rias Baixas area, aromatic Albariño wines feature peach and citrus flavors with a dash of salinity. They pair nicely with ceviche, guacamole and lighter seafood tacos or tostadas thanks to the texture and acidity.
Chenin Blanc
This versatile grape grown in the Loire Valley produces dry wines with melon aromas, crisp acidity and subtle creaminess that complements dishes featuring corn, cheese and avocados. It can also handle heat and spice.
Verdejo
Fresh, food-friendly Verdejo wines from Spain’s Rueda region include citrus and herb characteristics optimal for matching salsas and spicy chorizo or carnitas. The acidity cuts through nicely.
Best Red Wine Varietals for Cinco de Mayo
Robust reds may not seem like the most obvious pairing for Mexican food, but certain varieties in lighter styles work quite well. Here are some red grapes to consider:
Pinot Noir
The delicate nature of Pinot Noir makes it one of the most flexible reds for matching the range of Cinco de Mayo flavors. Cooler climate regions like Oregon and New Zealand produce affordable options with cherry, earthy notes and smooth tannins.
Grenache
Grenache-based blends from Spain shine with fresh red fruit flavors and lower tannins. They work well with tomato-based dishes thanks to the bright acidity. Grenache Rosés are also fantastic with their vibrant strawberry notes.
Tempranillo
The iconic Spanish red Tempranillo has medium body, spice and leather notes that pair nicely with grilled meats. Rioja Reservas offer some oak influence while Joven styles are fruit-forward and budget friendly.
Gamay
The grape of Beaujolais produces pleasing young reds with crunchy red fruit flavors, mild tannins and poppable acidity. These complimentary attributes let it accompany everything from nachos to mole chicken without overpowering.
Barbera
Found widely in Italy’s Piedmont region, juicy Barbera provides a very food-friendly profile. Black cherry flavors, low tannins and vibrant acidity make it versatile with Cinco de Mayo classics like enchiladas and tamales.
Valpolicella
The traditional light red from Italy’s Veneto has tart cherry notes and high acid with minimal oak to highlight chili spiced dishes. It can handle tomatoes well and cuts richness.
Ideal Wine Regions for Cinco de Mayo Pairings
In addition to considering the grape variety or blend, featuring wines from regions with similar characteristics as Mexican wine regions can make smart pairings. Here are some excellent wine origins to try out:
Spain
Tempranillo blends from Rioja and Valdepenas along with verdejo, cava and sherries from all over the country complement Mexican food’s pungent flavors.
Portugal
The food-friendly wines of Portugal (especially Vinho Verde and Rosé) work well thanks to their lower alcohol, vibrant acidity and mix of fruit and herbal flavors.
Argentina
The high-altitude Malbecs here have lots of rich fruit flavors, spice and enough acidity to match chorizo, mole and bean dishes.
Chile
Chile’s wine growing conditions are similar to Mexico’s, and they produce excellent values on crowd-pleasing cabernet and carmenere.
California
Domestic choices like citrusy Sauvignon Blanc, bold Zinfandel and easy-drinking Pinot Noir from regions like Sonoma and Paso Robles pair nicely with regional Mexican foods.
Italy
Italian reds like Chianti Classico, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and lighter Super Tuscans as well as bright whites like Pinot Grigio work well thanks to their savory herbal aspects.
Best Wine and Mexican Food Pairings
Specifically, here are some suggested wine styles that go especially great with popular Cinco de Mayo dishes:
| Dish | Recommended Wine Pairing |
|---|---|
| Tacos with steak, chicken, pork | Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Syrah |
| Fish tacos | Dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé |
| Quesadillas with cheese | Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay |
| Enchiladas with red sauce | Garnacha, Pinot Noir, Beaujolais |
| Enchiladas with green sauce | Unoaked Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc |
| Nachos with beef and beans | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Chiles rellenos | Rosé, Sangiovese, Tempranillo |
| Mole sauce | Zinfandel, Malbec, Petite Sirah |
| Fajitas with grilled veggies | Beaujolais, Côtes du Rhône, Rioja |
| Shrimp ceviche | Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Grüner Veltliner |
| Guacamole and salsa | Pinot Grigio, Vinho Verde, TX/NM Rosé |
| Chorizo | Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo |
What Wines to Avoid with Mexican Food
While there are plenty of wines that complement Mexican cuisine beautifully, some styles don’t pair quite as harmoniously. Here are a few that are better suited for other occasions:
– Heavily oaked wines can overwhelm spice and other flavors.
– High alcohol wines intensify heat instead of cooling it.
– Very dry wines clash with dishes featuring corn tortillas.
– Sweet wines like Port are too cloying for the vibrant food.
– Bitter, tannic reds don’t mesh with tomatoes, beans and cheese.
– Aromatic whites like Gewürztraminer and Muscat don’t complement savory dishes.
Other Mexican Drinks to Enjoy on Cinco de Mayo
While wine might not be as traditional as some other libations for this holiday, it can be a tasty change of pace. Here are some classic Mexican beverages that no Cinco de Mayo celebration should be without:
– Margaritas – Tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur on the rocks or blended.
– Micheladas – Lager beer mixed with lime juice, salt, spice and tomato juice or Clamato.
– Tequila and Mezcal – Sipping on reposado, añejo or young blanco tequilas.
-Mexican Beer – Most common brands are Corona, Modelo, Tecate, Victoria, Pacifico and Dos Equis.
– Horchata – Sweet rice milk beverage sometimes spiked with rum.
– Jarritos – Beloved Mexican soda brand with flavors like tamarind, pineapple and lime.
– Agua Fresca – Fresh fruit juice and water; flavors like watermelon, strawberry and hibiscus.
– Coffee & Café de Olla – Rich coffee sweetened with cane sugar and spiced with cinnamon.
Wine Tasting Ideas for a Cinco de Mayo Party
A fun way to experience a variety of wines and Mexican food pairings is by hosting a tasting party. This allows guests to sample mini portions of different dishes alongside an assortment of wines.
Some ideas include:
– Flight of Margarita-inspired wines – Dry citrusy whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Albariño alongside Rosés capture that margarita flavor profile. Provide salt and lime to spice them up.
– Spanish theme – Focus on Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cava sparkling wines and sherries for fantastically food-friendly options. Tapas-style bites.
– Best Wine and Cheese matches – The cheese in so many Mexican dishes like quesadillas begs for perfect wine pairings. Try manchego, cotija, queso fresco and Oaxaca cheese with options like Viognier, Grenache and Sangiovese.
– Heat friendly wines – Set out an array of salsa for scooping and find wines that cool the palate like Vinho Verde, Prosecco and Liebfraumilch with their zippy acidity.
– Best with Chocolate – Rich Mexican hot chocolate, churros and moles with chocolate call for creamy oak-aged Tempranillo, tawny Port and Banyuls to match the sweetness.
Conclusion
The lively flavors of Mexican food can be highlighted when you choose wines with crisp acidity, fruitiness and no overpowering oak. Stick to lighter reds like Pinot Noir and Grenache along with bright, minerally whites such as Riesling, Albariño and Sauvignon Blanc. Going with Spanish styles as well as wine regions with similar characteristics makes good sense too. Slightly chilled Beaujolais, Cava and Dry Rosés also pair beautifully. With so many fantastic options to try out, you’re sure to find some winning combinations to make your Cinco de Mayo wine selections sing. ¡Salud!