Guacamole and dry riesling

Alsace riesling isn’t the first drink I’d have reached for with guacamole but it makes perfect sense. 

In fact I’d forgotten just how well it goes. Previous experimentation had thrown up Peter Lehmann’s Wigan riesling, sauvignon blanc and English rosé as good pairings even though it was the beers - especially a citrussy IPA - which stole the show. (If you’re wondering how I could have forgotten it was 11 years ago!)

This riesling, a 2021 riesling from Louis Sipp, which sells for £13.95 at The Wine Society, wasn’t as limey as the Wigan riesling but still fresh and citrussy so worked really well. It could even have taken an off-dry style given there was a bit of fresh chilli in the guacamole which I’m not sure is authentic or not. And there would have been riesling-friendly fresh coriander if I’d had any.

I don’t know why it only gets 2 stars from the member of the Wine Society who rated it - that’s the problem about star ratings. One review can make it look as if the wine isn’t much good. Seemed a textbook example and perfectly good value to me.

For other riesling pairings see The best food pairings for dry or off-dry rieslings 

And for other Mexican food pairings see Wine, Beer and other pairings with Mexican food

Tacos and tamarind agua fresca

It’s always good to come across a soft drink that pairs as well with food as an alcoholic one and the Mexicans have a particularly refreshing one in agua fresca.

It can come in different flavours - hibiscus is a common one - but I particularly liked the tamarind flavoured one they served at the newly opened Santo Remedio the other day. It might not have been the most prepossessing of colours (a muddy brown) but its sour, faintly citrussy flavour was the perfect match for the punchily flavoured tacos and flautas we were eating.

It’s not the first time I’ve enjoyed this combination as you can see from this old post on margaritas, tacos and tostadas but it’s good to be reminded what a good combination it is.

You could of course serve agua frescas with other styles of food, not just Mexican. I think I’m going to be experimenting with them over the summer. There’s a really good selection of ideas for different flavoured agua frescas on The Kitchn website.