Burritos and wine. They go together, one might say, like sumo wrestlers and tutus. There is no reason, however, that they should not be included together in a food pairing conversation. Burritos, such as this custom-made Chipotle Chicken Burrito from Bearito Republic in Hillcrest, San Diego, contain all of the flavor that one would want to be included in a thoughtful meaningful pairing.
Spice, smoke, heat, and a cacophony of flavors characterize this burrito as well as dishes such as Tea-Smoked Duck Breast, Spicy Smoked Salmon, and Cajun-Spiced Barbecue Ribs. Why not a burrito containing similar flavors?
This was a recent revelation when sitting down to a burrito dinner one evening. Two recently opened, half-full bottles of red wine happened to be sitting on the counter, yearning for more attention. There was only one thing left to do.
Bearito Republic Chipotle Chicken Burrito
A beautiful marriage of smoky, spicy, and sweet, this burrito is loaded with flavor. Highlighted ingredients include corn, which adds some sweetness; chipotle salsa, which adds a bit of smoke flavor as well as heat; and crimini mushrooms, which add a wonderful earthy character. This is all wrapped up in a tomato tortilla.
Carol Shelton 2013 Monga Zinfandel paired with Chipotle Chicken Burrito
This is a big wine in several respects. Loads of dark berry aroma emanate from the glass when the wine is poured, along with a hefty dose of mixed spice flavor. Upon first sip, cherry and raspberry start to show, with the spice hanging in there for the long haul through to the finish. As the wine opens up, the flavors become intensified, and a touch of caramel makes its way into the fray. A general mix of spice begins to separate into allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg, which lends this wine a wonderful contrast to that lively, rich fruit flavor.
WHY THIS PAIRING WORKS
The spicy and smoky flavors of the burrito create an excellent contrasting link with the rich dark berry flavors of the Carol Shelton Zinfandel. Sweetness from the corn in the burrito help keep the balance in check by meshing with the dark berry flavors in the wine and holding the pairing together. The chicken in the burrito is enveloped by these and other flavors which come from ingredients such as sour cream and avocado, all of which create a wonderful, layered depth of flavor.
OTHER SUGGESTED ZINFANDELS TO TRY
Pedroncelli 2012 Mother Clone Zinfandel
Michael David Seven Deadly Zins
Alpha Omega 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Chipotle Chicken Burrito
A soft, delicate cabernet which pours a beautiful ruby red and possesses wonderful, nuanced aromas of black cherry, plum, tobacco, and cedar. This opens up to coffee and smoke on the palate, with a wave of black cherry on the back end. The finish is very smooth with a bit of leather and spice, and lingers for just a quick few seconds. Medium bodied and approachable, the Alpha Omega Cabernet is a great wine to share with a select few friends.
WHY THIS PAIRING WORKS
Cabernet Sauvignon can be a very bold, tannic wine. The Alpha Omega Cabernet is soft, elegant, and approachable, and does not beat down and overpower the flavor of the burrito. The burrito also contains an enormous amount of flavor, so it has no trouble standing up this red wine. The bolder flavors that the Alpha Omega Cabernet does contain, such as coffee and smoke, and tobacco do an excellent job of creating a link with the smoke and spice in the burrito. The protein, in this case, is more of a vessel which provides substance and allows the other components of the pairing to work their magic.
TWO CABERNETS THAT ARE EASIER ON THE WALLET
Flora Springs 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Ramsay 2013 North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
So, next time it’s burrito night, try reaching for a wine. You may be pleasantly surprised.
