A common myth in the world of wine is that red wines only pair with red meat, or that fish only goes with white wines. This misconception leads us to believe it’s an unbreakable law of pairings. On the contrary, one of the secrets is to be bold and define the qualities you want: are you looking for contrasts in flavors, a complementary pairing, or something to enhance the dish? Or do you want to highlight a characteristic like acidity or sweetness?
To show you that the combinations between wines and different food styles are endless, we’re sharing how to start pairing seven special labels from different wineries in San Miguel de Allende. Find everything from classic cuts of meat to more complex dishes. Are you ready to discover your favorite pairings and savor the magic in every bite?
Dish: Short rib in red wine
We begin this tour of wine pairings from San Miguel de Allende with this label, winner of a gold medal at the 2023 Brussels World Competition and another at the Mexico International Wine Competition.
With its characteristics—90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot aged for 16 months in French and American oak barrels—it offers aromas of chili peppers, cloves, and black pepper. On the palate, it is structured, with good body and polished, elegant tannins.
The recommendation for this pairing is dishes of similar complexity; therefore, we suggest a short rib braised in red wine. Chef Adrián Rocha of Los Remedios Rancho y Viñedo suggests slow-cooking the meat for six hours in red wine and serving it with creamy mashed potatoes and confit tomatoes. IG: rancho_losremedios
To discuss the next wine from San Miguel de Allende that you must try with a food pairing, we must mention its aging potential and aromatic intensity. On the nose, this Cabernet Sauvignon—aged for 12 months in first-use American oak barrels—reveals pleasant notes of cocoa and roasted aromas. Not to mention the varietal’s characteristic notes: plum, bell pepper, black pepper, and a distinctive bouquet background that subtly recalls canned anchovies.
As a complex wine, it presents a smooth and balanced palate, with round, firm tannins that are not astringent, and a long finish. Germán Calvo, director of winemaking and viticulture at Grupo La Santísima Trinidad, suggests pairing this wine with bold dishes. He proposes a high-quality ribeye steak, though a touch of subtlety can also be found in a mushroom risotto, where truffle is prominently featured. IG: la.santisima.trinidad
The next wine from San Miguel de Allende adds dynamism to the pairing list. It’s an orange wine made according to the organic principles of Dos Búhos, backed by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic.
The grape is Moscato Giallo, which originates from a white wine vinified as a red. It’s obtained by macerating it with its skins, giving it an oxidized, orange hue and imparting tannins and a structure unusual in a white wine. It develops citrus and floral aromas of jasmine, with hints of dried fruit, honey, and apricot. On the palate, it offers freshness, balanced acidity, and a silky texture.
That’s why the vineyard’s sommelier, Ángel Aguilar, recommends pairing this wine with sushi that includes proteins like tuna or fresh fish. Dishes featuring octopus or lamb are another option. IG: vinedodosbuhos
We continue our tour of wine pairings from San Miguel de Allende with this wine from La Santa Vid. What distinguishes this wine, a gold medal winner at the 2024 Brussels World Competition, are its processes. An example of this is the five-day cold pre-fermentation maceration, designed to extract more fruity aromas.
This intense and bright red wine presents aromas of red fruit and a floral touch of violets. On the palate, being a young wine, it displays notes of red fruit, a lingering finish, and balanced acidity with soft tannins. Because of these characteristics, project partner André Carbonell recommends pairing it with juicy cuts of beef, such as ribeye with pronounced marbling, ideal for enhancing the flavor of the meat.
Moving on to the San Miguel de Allende wine list, we’ll explore your favorite pairings with a multi-award-winning label from Viñedo San Miguel. This 100% Syrah boasts a fruity and floral character, with notes of strawberries, cherries, and red berries, along with hints of violets. Its crisp acidity adds a refreshing touch, and it spends 12 months in new American oak barrels with a touch of French oak, which enhances the vanilla and coconut notes.
The pairing recommendation, made by Alejandra Cordero, the winemaker in charge of quality control, is pork. She suggests the preparation by chef David Quevedo of Trasiego, the vineyard’s restaurant, who makes ribs seared over charcoal and then oven-roasted for 12 hours. The smoky flavor is complemented by a garambullo sauce, made with a fruit known for its freshness and acidity. IG: vinedosanmiguel
We continue our journey with wine pairings from San Miguel de Allende, starting with a label from Viñedo Puente Josefa. As one of the pioneering projects in the area, its older vines contribute to the plant’s balance and the grape’s greater complexity.
This Tempranillo, aged in Hungarian oak barrels, delivers a wine with earthy aromas. The vineyard’s founder, Josefa Jonguitud, mentions that it pairs well with flavorful and spicy dishes because the wine’s warmth harmonizes with Mexican cuisine. If red mole is among your favorite dishes, this pairing will be a winning combination that complements the grape’s complex personality. IG: puentejosefavino
We conclude our tour of San Miguel de Allende wines with pairing suggestions from Hacienda San José Lavista. This sparkling wine arrives to close with freshness and complexity.
Made using the traditional method (champenoise) and aged on its lees, this wine offers a creamy mousse and fine bubbles that lend elegance. Being 100% Syrah, it displays light notes of red fruits like cherries. With just two grams of sugar per liter, its excellent acidity balances the creaminess and cleanses the palate. Therefore, the ideal pairing, according to winemaker José Trinidad Jiménez Hidalgo, is grilled salmon with Eureka lemon cream.
Also intriguing is the combination with chocolate. The vineyard’s chef, Paco González, pairs it with a semi-sweet chocolate lava cake and caramel ice cream. IG: sanjoselavista
Source: foodandtravel
