What wine to serve with Enchiladas? Find the answer here at #WinePW

Lori, of Dracaena Wines, is graciously hosting our Wine Pairing Weekend this month and has chosen the very timely theme of Enchiladas.  Many of us were celebrating Cinco de Mayo and usually our thoughts go to Cerveza or Margaritas when eating Mexican food.  Lori decided to challenge us and asked us to find wines that would pair well with our Mexican Fiesta.

We enjoyed these Easy Enchiladas and Rice Steamer Mexican Rice for Cinco de Mayo this year. Normally I would have had Frank make up a pitcher of his Fantastic Margaritas but this year I made him a pitcher of drinks instead.

We had our friends, John and Kirsten, over when I served this plate for dinner.  They love Margaritas too so I was concerned about sharing with them this new drink that I concocted but they LOVED it. What a great addition to a Fiesta especially if you have guests that are tequila intolerant or just want a lighter drink to enjoy.

While having lunch with our daughter, Nicole and her husband, Pierre, at California Pizza Kitchen I was perusing a list of specialty drinks.  I was intrigued by this Seasonal Harvest Sangria description: A crisp unique mix of Bacardi Superior Rum, St. Germain Elderflower, Kendall Jackson Chardonnay with muddled grapes, basil and agave sour.  I ordered ice tea but that description stuck with me and I was looking forward to trying it one day.  

When Lori came up with this challenge I immediately remembered that Sangria recipe and knew that I was going to try to make something similar.

I omitted the rum because I wanted something lighter to serve with the enchiladas.  I had never tried St. Germain before so I picked up a bottle.  I pulled a bottle of Wente Chardonnay from the wine fridge.  I made my own agave sour mix and used basil paste as I didn't have any fresh basil. Had I thought this out a little better I would have frozen some grapes and used them to keep the Sangria chilled instead of ice.  It would have been a much more beautiful presentation and would not have watered down this delightful punch.

I started off juicing 1 lime and half of a large lemon.  To this I added 2 T. agave nectar and 2 T. of water.  The sour mix was complete.

To the sour mixture I added a dozen grapes and 1/2 t. of the basil paste.  Muddled these up with a wooden spoon and strained the mixture into a pitcher.

I poured in a bottle of wine and a 1/2 c of the St. Germain and gave it a stir.  I served this over ice and it was a huge hit.  The St. Germain added a touch of bitterness that I absolutely loved.  I cannot wait to try this liqueur in other cocktails.  It paired wonderfully with the spiciness of the enchiladas and Mexican rice.  The Wente was a perfect choice for the wine as it is a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay that brightened up the sangria wonderfully.  

Unfortunately, once my company arrived, I lost my train of though and didn't get any photos of the sangria garnished with Lemon and Lime slices but I'm sure you get the idea.

Elderberry Sangria

inspired by California Pizza Kitchen

2 T. water

2 T. Agave nectar

1 lime, juiced

1/2 large lemon, juiced

12 grapes

1/2 t. basil paste or a handful of fresh basil leaves

1 bottle of Chardonnay (I used Wente)

1/2 c. St Germain

In a small bowl or 2 cup measuring cup combine water, agave, lime and lemon juices, grapes and basil.  Muddle this mixture using a muddle tool or the back of a wooden spoon until grapes are crushed and juices are released.  Strain into a pitcher.  Pour 1 bottle of Chardonnay and 1/2 c. of St. Germain into the pitcher and stir to combine.  Serve chilled, garnished with lemon and lime slices, frozen grapes and basil leaves if desired.  Print Recipe

Let's see what wines the others paired with their Enchiladas!

• Cindy of Grape Experiences will post Wine and Dine: Condes de Albarei 2014 and Goat Cheese Enchiladas
• Jeff of FoodWineClick will be running a Taste Test: Wines for Spicy Food. 
• Jill of L'occasion will feature Cooking with Wine: Chipotle Pinot Noir Enchiladas. 
• Nancy from Pull That Cork (next month's host) is talking Mom’s Enchiladas and Casillero del Diablo Wines for #winePW 
• Meaghan of Un Assaggio of Wine, Wine & Marriage will be making Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas #winePW 
• Michelle of RockinRedBlog will be Exploring Enchiladas and Wine Pairings with WinePW. 
• Sarah from Curious Cuisiniere will post Chicken and Cheese Entomatadas: Pairing Tomatoes with Wine 
• Wendy of A Day in the Life on a Farm will be talking about Elderberry Sangria.
• Dracaena Wines will be Enchiladas and Trousseau Gris; Could It Be? 

For a list of past and upcoming #WinePW events, visit the Wine Pairing Weekend calendar here. We’d love to have you online with us!