Who doesn’t love a good taco? And what’s better than enjoying a delicious taco with a cold glass of wine?
In this blog post, we’ll explore what wine goes with tacos, discuss different types of tacos and the wines that pair well with them, and give tips on how to choose great wine for taco night!
What Wine Goes With Tacos?
Choose a red wine for dark meat or spicy tacos.
Choose a white or sparkling wine for white meat tacos like chicken or fish. Tacos al pastor can go either way, but we prefer red.
Carmenere and Malbec are two South American wines that are naturally delicious with any type of zesty food, so start there if you’re unsure about what wine to start with.
Read on to see our full wine list for pairing with tacos!
Read More: Tempranillo Wine vs Pinot Noir. We compare these two reds to see how they measure up!
Our Favorite Taco Night Wine List
Tacos are one of America’s favorite foods, loved by people all across the country for their delicious, savory flavors.
And paired with a good glass of wine, they make the perfect meal for any occasion.
There are many different types of tacos, each with its unique flavor profile that can pair well with different wines.
Some popular taco varieties include:
- Chicken tacos
- Seasoned ground beef tacos
- Carne Asada tacos
- Tacos al pastor
- Fish tacos
- Vegetarian tacos
When choosing a wine to go with your tacos, it is important to consider both the dish and the accompanying toppings.
For example, if you are serving chicken or fish tacos topped with fresh salsa or guacamole, a light white wine such as Sauvignon blanc or a dry rosé would be a good choice.
Alternatively, if you are serving traditional ground beef tacos topped with spicy salsa or creamy cheese, then consider different red wines or dry white wines.
- Carmenere
- Malbec
- Zinfandel
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinot Noir
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Grüner Veltliner
- Grenach
- Tempranillo
- Merlot
- Chardonnay
When choosing a wine for your taco night, it is important to consider your tastes and preferences, the type of tacos you are making, and any dietary restrictions or allergies that guests may have.
Carmenere and Malbec are South American wines that make natural pairings for zesty South American food, so they’re worth giving a try if you’re unsure where to start.
With so many delicious wine and taco combinations to choose from, there is sure to be a perfect pairing for everyone!
Read More: Tempranillo Wine vs Malbec. Learn all about these two robust reds in our detailed flavor profile and pairings guide!
Tips for Choosing Great Wine for Taco Night
1. Consider the type of tacos you are making. If you’re making mild fish or chicken tacos you can pair them with a dry white wine.
Beef or seasoned pork needs to pair with a red so the flavors will complement.
2. Think about the flavors of the toppings and sauces.
If you’re using mild meat but adding a lot of seasoning, choose a red or go for a less traditional approach and choose a dry hard fruit cider.
3. Choose a wine that will complement, not compete with, the flavors of the dish.
If you’re going for a traditional taco dripping with lime juice, consider pairing it with a bold, citrusy wine.
This will complement the refreshing lime flavors in the tacos.
4. Consider your taste preferences and those of your guests.
Many people choose several types of wine to serve on taco night to ensure that everyone will have a wine that suits their taste.
5. Don’t be afraid to experiment! There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to pairing wine with food.
The only thing we hate to do is overwhelm the wine with the food or the food with the wine. Stick with one from our list above and you’ll be fine.
7. Try something new! You may be surprised by how much you enjoy a certain wine and taco pairing.
Whether you are hosting a taco night for friends or enjoying a quiet dinner at home, we think that pairing wine and tacos is a natural winner.
How to Serve Wine for Taco Night
The first step to enjoying your wine on any night is to store it properly to ensure optimal flavor and freshness.
This can be done by keeping the bottles in a cool, dark place such as a dual zone wine fridge or cellar.
- Carefully uncork the bottle. If you’re serving a dark or older red wine (older than 3 years) you may want to give it some time to bloom and release tannins before serving. You can use a wine decanter or wine aerator for this.
- Before sipping, gently swirl the glass to release some of its aromas, then pour it into a glass and take a few sips to see if you like how it tastes with your tacos.
- If you are hosting a larger gathering and need to serve multiple bottles at once, you might have leftovers. Be sure to recork the bottles to keep them fresh so you can enjoy them later!
Enjoy your wine and tacos!
Most people think of margaritas for taco night, and they do pair perfectly because of the citrus flavors, but we’re confident that you’ll find a wine or two that you also love with tacos.
Read More: What Pairs With Tempranillo? We share our FAVORITE food pairings from sweet to savory in this flavor guide.
What’s the Best Way to Chill Wine?
Don’t store wine in your home refrigerator for longer than a few days.
The light intrusion, heat fluctuations, and constant jostling will ruin your wine. Store it in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to chill and drink.
When serving wine with tacos, it is important to serve it at the right temperature for optimal flavor and enjoyment.
Some red wines taste better slightly chilled, while others enjoy them at room temperature or even a bit warm, but never over 70 degrees.
White wines, on the other hand, should always be served chilled to bring out their delicate flavors.
- Keep your white wines in a wine cooler at 50 to 60 degrees until you are ready to serve them
- Sparkling wine should be served at a very chilly 40 to 50 degrees
- Red wine can be served at room temperature or slightly cool at 60 to 70 degrees
- If you love both white and red wine, consider getting a dual zone wine cooler to keep all the bottles at the right temperature
- Use an ice bucket or wine chiller filled with ice and water to chill your wines quickly
- Put your best wine glasses in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before serving to help keep your wine chilled longer
No matter how you choose to chill your wine, be sure to taste it before serving to ensure that it is at the perfect temperature for your personal preferences.
Read More: Is Tempranillo Wine Sweet? Tempranillo is described as fruity and sweet, but is it a sweet or dry wine? We explore Tempranillo in this guide!
Wrapping Up
The only real “rule” to follow is to pair white wine with white meat (fish or chicken) and red wine with dark or heavily seasoned meat.
This helps to ensure that you’ll taste both the meat and the wine.