What’s the best wine to serve with Mexican food?

Dear Dr. Vinny,

What wines would you recommend serving with good Mexican food?

—Vince, Dublin

Dear Vince,

Good question, because I would never recommend pairing wine with bad Mexican food!

In all seriousness, my first rule of food-and-wine pairing is simple: Drink what you like. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to pairing, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Experimenting with unexpected pairings is one of my favorite parts of drinking wine with food.

Mexican cuisine is extraordinarily rich and varied, so it’s hard to give general advice—a lot depends on the specific dish. That said, chiles often play a starring role. Spicy, peppery foods can be difficult to pair with wine, so I’d start with the most versatile wines in your cellar. That means bubblies or rosés (and why not rosé bubbly?), which are refreshing and food-friendly. It’s hard to go wrong with any sparkling wine, but I think Cava, Prosecco or West Coast bubbles would be especially nice pairings. In general, I’d also learn toward wines with low or moderate alcohol content, since they tend to play better with spice.

Beyond that advice, I’d think about the dominant flavors, proteins or sauces that define the dish in question. Lime, cilantro and tomatillos (along with seafood dishes like ceviche) will pair well with crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño. Grilled dishes with smoky chipotle flavors might pair better with Malbec, Tempranillo or Syrah. Carnitas or other pork dishes might go well with Pinot Noir. Moles would play nicely with a fruit-forward Zinfandel or Barbera. And there are so many great options when it comes to tacos! Check out our sommelier roundtable on taco pairings for 18 wine ideas from top somms.

Also keep in mind that Baja wines are much easier to find these days. Mexican wines are delicious and made in a range of styles—and in keeping with the culinary theme. (In case you find yourself in Mexico, the country is also home to several top-notch restaurants for wine lovers.) There are also many Hispanic-owned wineries in California and elsewhere that are well worth checking out.

And of course, there’s nothing wrong with a crisp Mexican lager—or a refreshing tequila cocktail.

—Dr. Vinny

Recently Rated Wines to Pair with Mexican Food

Our expert tasters have reviewed thousands of wines in blind tastings that would match well with tacos, ceviche, moles and other favorite Mexican foods. Check out our West Coast Tasting Highlights for Cinco de Mayo, and click below to see recently rated wines with scores, prices and tasting notes.

• Sparkling Wine
• Rosé
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Albariño
• Malbec
• Tempranillo
• Syrah
• Pinot Noir
• Zinfandel
• Barbera
• Wines from Mexico

Recipes for Classic Mexican Dishes, Plus Wine Pairings

• Tuna Aguachile with Lime, Cilantro and Mint
• Pork Flautas with Guacamole
• Fire-Roasted Tomato Salsa with Pork and Swiss Chard Tacos
• Arctic Char Tostadas and Quinoa Salad
• Sommelier Roundtable: 18 Terrific Taco and Wine Pairings