Marlene Osteen
You may not have opened this magazine expecting my wine column to mention tacos. Or guacamole. Or Cinco de Mayo.
But trust me – if wine is about pleasure and conviviality, if it’s about culture and celebration and making food taste better – then there’s no better occasion to pull a cork than May 5th.
So, are you ready to join me on a fictional odyssey to a Cinco de Mayo celebration?
Let’s imagine a table spread with tacos, salsas, grilled meats, and slow-cooked sauces. The sun is out, the playlist is good, and by the time the food arrives, we’ve all raised a thirst.
Let’s start with sparkling wine, the ultimate party-starter. A dry Spanish Cava like Raventos i Blanc “Blanc de Blancs” is bright, citrusy, and perfect with chips and salsa or Baja-style fish tacos. The bubbles slice through fat and spice with ease.
Grilled steak, carnitas, or al pastor? Reach for a medium-bodied red. A Garnacha like Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos brings juicy cherry and spice, while Ridge “Three Valleys” Zinfandel adds depth and a peppery kick. For birria or barbacoa, go with a Rhône Syrah – perhaps the Chateau de Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône Rouge, a wine that knowledgeable Stephanie Miskew of Highlands Wine Shoppe deems has “oodles of personality at a very affordable price.
Barbacoa demands a wine that can tango with its smoky intensity. Enter Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva Tempranillo—a Spanish standout with enough muscle and red fruit, spice and swagger to match this slow-cooked masterpiece.
Even guacamole—that creamy, lime-kissed glory—finds its soulmate in Spanish Verdejo. Try Bodegas Naia’s electric version that zips across your palate like lightning, making each chip-dip-sip combination feel like a flavor revolution.
For dessert? Trust me on this wild ride: churros and sparkling rosé! Pop open Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé and watch how its berry notes and tiny bubbles dance with cinnamon sugar in perfect harmony.
This Cinco de Mayo, be the host who breaks the mold! While everyone else is knocking back predictable margaritas, you’ll be pairing cultures in the most delicious rebellion possible.
Salud, amigos! Your taste buds can thank me later. Most of these wines can be found in Highlands at the Highlands Wine Shoppe, highlandswineshoppe.com.
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