How to pair your favorite Mexican dishes with wine, see these 4 expert tips!

Rolando Herrera of Mi Sueño Winery gives us the 411 on how to expertly pair wine with our fave Mexican dishes

MAY 5, 2020 7:19 PM EDTMAY 5, 2020, 7:19 PM EDT

Who doesn’t love wine? We all do. From a crisp white wine to a silky smooth red wine, there are as many varieties of wine as there are colors on the color wheel — and as they say: para los gustos se hicieron los colores (aka there’s something for everyone). No one knows this better than Rolando Herrera owner and winemaker of Mi Sueño Winery . Rolando is a Mexican-American from El Llano, Mexico, who fell in love with wine at a young age and this love has helped him forge a path that sets up like a guidebook on how to achieve your dreams.

Mi Sueño Winery is located in the scenic Napa Valley. Rolando and his wife Lorena (and their staff) farm 40 acres of estate vineyards in their favorite appellations including Mt. Veeder, Los Carneros and Sonoma Mountain (to name a few). So it’s safe to say that Rolando knows a thing or two about the art of making wine and what to pair with it. Below we’ve included some of our favorite classic Mexican dishes with some of Mi Sueño’s amazing wines so that you know what to get next time you’re sitting down for a delicious meal with la familia .

Chardonnay + Seafood and Pork

Rolando suggests pairing his 2017 Mi Sueño Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay with either Tostadas de Pescado or Tacos de Carnitas.

This wine works well with this dish because of its notes of bright citrus and rich tropical fruits which make it an excellent partner for richer seafood dishes like Tostadas de Pescado.

Carnitas tacos with pork and salsa verde (Mexico)

Rolando also shared that if the Chardonnay is aged in 60% New French Oak, the taste of the wine is elevated and that the structure and richness pairs well with more intense dishes like Tacos de Carnitas.

Pinot Noir + Saucier Dishes

Rolando suggests the 2017 Mi Sueño Russian River Pinot Noir for dishes like Tamales de Rajas con Queso, Chile con Carne or Tacos al Pastor.

“The 2017 Mi Sueño Russian River Pinot Noir is a rich wine with ripe tannins and complex aromas of plum, pomegranate and hints of vanilla that make it a perfect pairing for saucier dishes with a little bit of heat,” reveals the winemaker.

Carne con chile colorado (chili with pieces of meat, Mexico)

He continues, “Pair with Tamales de Rajas con Queso to compliment the wine’s bright acidity or let the long and persistent finish stand up to heavier dishes like Chile con Carne or Tacos al Pastor.”

Cabernet Sauvignon + Meat Dishes and Desserts

If you’re going with Carne Asada or Churros, the 2016 Mi Sueño Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the way to go, friends.

Rolando explains, “The 2016 Mi Sueño Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerful wine with a firm structure and silky tannins, rich and hearty the wine would pair well with Carne Asada.”

Platter of Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

But if you’re looking to start with dessert first, it also pairs well with churros.

“If you have more of a sweet tooth, this wine also has enticing dark plum, boysenberry, cinnamon and maple syrup elements that make it a fit to drink with desserts like Churros,” says Rolando.

Enchiladas with beef, tomato sauce, cheese and coriander

Syrah + rich and hearty meats

The 2016 Mi Sueño Napa Valley Syrah is perfect for those heavier meals.

“We’ve descirbed it as ‘bursting with personality,’ dense and earthy with forest berries and hints of vanilla and white pepper, this wine pairs well with rich and hearty meats and would be delicious on the table next to Beef Enchiladas,” explained Rolando.