It’s really not that hard to get me to eat Mexican food, like seriously I’ll do it any day. Tacos on a random Tuesday lunch break? Sure. A hot cup of pozole when you’re in bed recovering from a cold? Absolutely. I just will never get sick of the options.
It’s not often that you find a wine that pairs with Mexican food as the cuisine tends to lend itself more towards cocktail and beer pairings. Now, to know me is to know I love a Corona with lime or a spicy margarita, but I also think we too often overlook Sauvignon Blanc as a potential Mexican Food wine pairing.
This is one of the many reasons I was so happy to hear about the J. Lohr: A World of Pairings campaign. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, is a family-owned and operated winery established in 1974, and produce wines from Paso Robles, Monterey & Napa Valley. The World of Pairings Campaign takes their hyper-localized focus on grape growing and pairs it with global cuisines – Mexican/South American, Indian, Asian Fusion, North African and regional United States. It’s a fun way to mix it up, try some new recipes and travel through the plate and glass during the dreary winter months where we are all spending more time at home than we probably wish.
As a diehard Frontera Grill fan (where my Chicago restaurant junkies at), I knew I wanted to try a recipe by the famed Rick Bayless. I learned a lot by making enchiladas by hand: 1) I really should make salsa at home more often, it’s incredibly easy to blend everything in the Vitamix. 2) If you can’t perfectly roll up your tortillas, just add more sauce and cheese on top and you won’t even notice or care. 3) Most importantly, cooking is made much easier with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in hand.
The J. Lohr Estates Flume Crossing Sauvignon Blanc, which retails for just $14, was the perfect accompaniment to both my cooking adventures and the actual enchiladas themselves. A bit more herbaceous on the nose, the palate is rounded out by crisp, bright acidity – with notes of lime and grapefruit. While I paired it with chicken enchiladas, I could also see pairing it with fish or shrimp tacos or a rich chili relleno. This may have been my first time having this wine, but it’ll definitely not be the last – I sense it being perfect for a hot summer day.
Check out the J. Lohr: A World of Pairings page here and let me know which of their many incredible wines you’ll be pairing with your dishes!
