Is Cinco de Mayo a big celebration where you live? In Texas Cinco de Mayo is a Big Deal! However, most often Texas associate Cinco de Mayo with margaritas and cervezas. Don’t despair! I have two outstanding wine recommendations from either side of the Andes sure to make your Cinco de Mayo celebration sizzle!

Do you know what Cinco de Mayo is celebrating? It is NOT a celebration of Mexico’s Independence; that day takes place on September 16^th each year. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of a Mexican victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The battle is significant because the Mexican army was outnumbered and out matched yet still defeated the French army, and because it signifies the last time any country in the Americans was invaded by a European army.

Though the date has significance in Mexico and has been celebrated by Mexican Americans for years, in 1989 the San Antonio based Gambrinus Group, regional importers of Corona and Grupo Modelo, launched a Cinco de Mayo themed ad encouraging Mexican Americans already celebrating the holiday to make it a priority on this day to drink Mexican beer. The rest is history! I can concur in Texas Corona beer is synonymous with Cinco de Mayo! In fact, signs advertising Cinco de Mayo featuring Corona are hanging from every Tex-Mex restaurant in Dallas the week of Cinco de Mayo. However, some of us prefer wine with our Tex-Mex Cinco de Mayo celebration!

Here are two outstanding wines to pair with your Cinco de Mayo fiesta:

Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2014: This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from grapes cultivated in Puente Alto vineyard in Maipo. Puente Alto, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile.  It poured a deep scarlet with inky violet highlights in the glass; earthy aromas were most pronounced with dusty earth, tobacco, licorice and violets taking center stage while black cherries, plums and cassis steps back a bit; on the palate this big wine penetrates with lots of dusty earth and damp underbrush; layers of flavors continue to evolve with rich acidity and tannins that are rich on the palate and long of the finish. This wine is hot off the presses, released a bit early since the 2013 sold out. Get this wine while you still can at your favorite local wine retailer or online wine merchant. SRP $26

About Marques de Casa Concha:

A collection of single-vineyard varietals from Chile, ranging from $22 for the Marques de Casa Concha white wines to $26 for the Marques de Casa Concha. The Marqués de Casa Concha name reflects the title of nobility bestowed in 1718 by King Felipe V of Spain on the Concha y Toro family, which later moved to Chile and under Don Melchor Concha y Toro went on to found the Concha y Toro winery in 1883. Marqués de Concha wines are made by Marcelo Papa, one of five lead winemakers at Concha y Toro. Each wine is produced from hand-picked fruit from a single vineyard, with the terroir for each vineyard chosen for its optimal match of grape to location. All vineyards are owned by Concha y Toro, enabling maximum control over viticultural development.

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2013: This 100% Malbec poured an sexy inky purple into the glass; dark jammy fruit notes of blackberry marmalade, plums, and black cherries blend with notes of molasses, dark chocolate, tobacco, leather and black licorice for vibrant aromas; silky, velvet smooth texture with layers of flavors envelop the palate in a full body wine that is well-balanced with round acidity and dusty yet integrated tannins that coat the mouth with a long finish. Buy this wine from your favorite local wine retailer or online wine merchant. SRP $21

About Bodegas Trivento Argentina:

The Trivento estate in Mendoza enjoys a well established reputation as a leading source of stellar quality wines from Argentina’s premier wine region. Meaning “Three Winds,” the Trivento name is a whimsical reference to three winds that sweep through Mendoza and are a distinguishing feature of the region’s climate and environment. With vineyards in the Maipu, Tupungato and Rivadavia districts, Trivento exemplifies the benefits of high-altitude viticulture, ranging from the icon Malbec, Eolo, to Trivento’s award-winning collection of Reserve varietal wines. Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec is a terroir-driven wine, effectively a cru, grown in the higher altitudes of the prime Luján de Cuyo zone of Mendoza. Grapes are harvested in a cluster of vineyards comprising parcels of the remarkable Lujan de Cuyo vineyard, planted more than a century ago in 1912, not designated for Trivento’s icon wine, Eolo Malbec. Higher altitudes contribute to a greater concentration of fruit, a denser, weightier mouth-feel and a higher ratio of natural acidity that facilitates the wine’s ability to age.

Both of these wines will pair beautifully with all your TexMex favorites including: empanadas, enchiladas, chimichungas, chicken fajitas, nachos and more! So this Cinco de Mayo how about a little wine to replace your margarita or beer?

*These two wines were media samples. I received no compensation, all opinions are my own.

My Song Selection: We are going to let the Red Hot Chili Peppers take us Around the World to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with these two rockin wines!

Get your own bottles of Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 and Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2013 and let me know what song you pair with them. Cheers!