Wines to Pair with Tacos & Nachos 750 ml

It’s estimated that the US loses $4 billion in productivity due to post-Super Bowl, um, we’ll say absenteeism. There’s a movement afoot to make the Monday after the big game a holiday, but until that day comes, we say don’t let that productivity perish in vain. 

The best way to do that is by savoring every sip we take on Super Bowl Sunday—which means having perfect pairings at the ready.

Who knew that what our crew-cutted coach shouted in our faces before our high school games—We gotta match their intensity!—would come in handy in the wine world? Well, turns out that intensity-matching is just as essential at your Super Bowl soirée as it is on the gridiron. That’s why when dealing with spicy foods like nachos and tacos, we opt for wines that can hold the line. It doesn’t necessarily mean brawn: The strong grassiness of a nice, ripe Sauvignon Blanc will do the trick, as will the smokiness of a perfectly aged Spanish Red. 

A Riesling that Tastes and Smells Like Spring

2018 Georg Albrecht Schneider Riesling Kabinett Niersteiner Paterberg Rheinhessen Germany

We loved this bottle so much we finished it off before lunch! Move fast like we did and taste this Wine & Spirits Best Buy for yourself.

Tasting Note: Gold hue with green reflections. Honey, jasmine, and geraniums are showcased on the subtle but alluring nose. Ample red-skinned apple, lime, and citrus notes dominate the palate, backed up with hints of crushed stones and slate elements. Mouthwatering on the back end with a kiss of mint and chamomile. It’s a generous wine, yet its refreshing acidity keeps this Riesling taut, and a smoky, dry finish adds to the layers of complexity. Enjoy now - 2026.

America’s Answer to Bordeaux Blanc

2019 Twomey Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Napa and Sonoma County

It’s hard to find a Sauv Blanc that showcases America’s vinous epicenter with more elegance and class than Twomey. When you realize it’s the First Growth-inspired white from the family of Silver Oak, it all makes sense.

Tasting Note: Medium lemon color and star-bright in the glass. Passion fruit, Meyer lemon, lemongrass, and dried herbs pervade the nose. Forward citrus fruit greets you on entry, followed by a creamy texture suffused with the essence of lemon and fresh tarragon. Clean and brilliantly refreshing, it makes a great cocktail wine, and will pair with a wide variety of cheese or seafood dishes. Enjoy now - 2023.

The Definition of Toro

2016 Bodegas Ordonez Vatan Toro DO

The legendary Jorge Ordóñez sought out 120-year-old Tempranillo vines to make this “blockbuster” red. Its power, refinement, and value make it a hard-to-get restaurant darling, but we finally pried it loose.

Tasting Note: Powerful and seductive with a dense ruby core and a kiss of purple on the rim. Aromas led by fig compote, Madagascar vanilla, and violets are embraced by layers of licorice and holiday spice. The mouthfeel is grand and impactful, with a muscular dose of red and black fruit, Modena balsamic complexity, and cassis resolving in a monumental finish with integrated tannins. Drink now - 2030.

Exclusive Pinot Noir That’s True to its Roots

2016 Karo-Kann Pinot Noir Los Carneros Napa Valley

A Pinot Noir that expresses not just the legendary 2016 vintage, but also the thoroughly unique terroirs and micro-climates of Los Carneros. The best Carneros Pinots leverage those factors, as well as the appellation’s “shallow clay soils and ever-present maritime breezes [to produce] richer, denser versions than those from most of Sonoma,” Wine Spectator reported. The region is so perfect for Pinot, Spectator dedicated an entire feature to its “Pinot revival.”

Tasting Note: Shimmering translucent garnet color. Aromas of cranberry and red cherry are lifted to the stratosphere with beautiful rose-petal notes and a seam of sweet cola spice. These find remarkable counterparts on the silky palate with a rose-flecked mélange of red raspberry, red cherry, sarsaparilla, and Indian spices. It all finishes with a beautiful savory note of tea and the slightest suggestion of bergamot. Energetic and structured, this is a wine that will sing a stunning aria after a few years in the cellar, but it will partner perfectly right now with pan-roasted duck breast or other meat and mushroom dishes. Drink now - 2023.