What Wine Goes With Tacos?
By Bordeaux Brian for Pair It & Share It · Published
BOTTOM LINE
Tacos want fresh, fruity wines, not heavy ones. Go red with Malbec or Zinfandel for beef, rosé or a light red for chicken and pork, and crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño for fish. If they're spicy, an off-dry Riesling cools the heat.
Quick decision
- Carne asada or barbacoa→ Malbec or Zinfandel
- Chicken or al pastor→ Dry rosé or Grenache
- Fish or shrimp tacos→ Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño
- Lots of heat→ Off-dry Riesling
Think about the toppings, not just the meat
Lime, cilantro, onion and salsa bring acidity and freshness. Wines that are also fresh and zesty keep up; big oaky wines taste flat next to them.
Beef tacos
Grilled or braised beef has enough richness for a red. Malbec is juicy and smooth, and Zinfandel brings ripe, slightly spicy fruit. Both work with smoky salsas.
Chicken, pork and al pastor
A dry rosé is the easiest all-rounder for a taco night. Al pastor's pineapple and chile also love Grenache, a light, fruity red.
Fish and shrimp
Citrusy whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño act like an extra squeeze of lime. Skip oaky Chardonnay here.
Spicy tacos
Alcohol makes heat feel hotter, so choose lower-alcohol wines. A Riesling with a touch of sweetness calms the burn better than a bold red.
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About the author. Bordeaux Brian brings more than 30 years of wine experience and firsthand experience in vineyards and wine regions around the world. His focus is practical: helping people make better wine decisions without the intimidation.