Forget the beer, try these white wines with your fish tacos

  • By S. Irene Virbila Los Angeles Times
  • Friday, August 14, 2015 7:38am
  • Life

When the weather heats up, don’t we all wish we were on a fish taco crawl in Ensenada, Mexico? Take a corn tortilla fresh off the griddle, fold in perfectly fried fish that’s been pulled from the sea only hours before. Top with shredded cabbage and pico de gallo, add a jolt of salsa and some crema.

You’ve probably been washing down tacos with cold cerveza. But that sublime fish taco is wonderful with a chilled white wine. What’s needed is something crisp, with vibrant fruit and a snap of acidity. We picked three examples that shine not only with fish tacos but also with fish and chips or any fried or grilled fish. The heat wave isn’t going to end any time soon. Stock up.

2014 Txomin Etxaniz Txakolina Getariako Txakolina, Spain. The vineyards of this Spanish Basque estate sit on a bluff overlooking the Cantabrian sea, very near the fishing village of Getaria — and two of Spain’s best fish restaurants: Elkano and Kaia Kaipe, just west of San Sebastian. Small wonder this beautiful mineral-driven white with zesty acidity and bright fruit goes so well with fish. Pour it like the Basques do, from a foot or so above the glass, to bring out the ever-so-slight fizzy quality that makes this wine so refreshing. It’s great with fish tacos but also with salted anchovies.

2014 Storm Saugignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley, California. A cool, crisp Sauvignon Blanc with a hint of grapefruit, mint and melon, ideal for washing down fish tacos, fish and chips or a salt-baked rock cod. Winemaker Ernst Storm knows just what he’s doing when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc grown on the Central Coast. This wine was sourced from four vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley.

2013 Bodega Vidas Siete Vidas Albarin Blanca, Spain. Made from the rare Albarin Blanco grape, the 2013 Siete Vidas Albarin Blanco from Asturias in northern Spain grabs you first with its gentle herbal perfume. The taste is clean and pure, finishing with a touch of lime. The vineyards in this historic landscape are so steep vintners Beatriz Perez and Pepe Flores can work them only by hand. Imagine drinking a bottle not only with tacos but with sushi or grilled fish too.

—-

&Copy;2015 Los Angeles Times

Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

——-

PHOTO (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194):

[—][—][—][—][—]

Topics: t000002947,t000002925,t000040213,t000035090,t000049303,t000035070

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Camp Fire attendees pose after playing in the water. (Photo courtesy by Camp Fire)
The best childcare in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

Mukilteo Police Chief Andy Illyn and the graphic he created. He is currently attending the 10-week FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. (Photo provided by Andy Illyn)
Help wanted: Unicorns for ‘pure magic’ career with Mukilteo police

“There’s a whole population who would be amazing police officers” but never considered it, the police chief said.

To most, tiles are utilitarian. To some, they’re a sought-after art form.

Collectors particularly prize tiles made by early 20th century art potteries. This Wheatley piece sold for $216 at auction.

Spring plant sales in Snohomish County

Find perennials, vegetable starts, shrubs and more at these sales, which raise money for horticulture scholarships.

beautiful colors of rhododendron flowers
With its big, bright blooms, Washington’s state flower is wowing once again

Whether dwarf or absolutely ginormous, rhodies put on a grand show each spring. Plus, they love the Pacific Northwest.

Whidbey duo uses fencing to teach self-discipline, sportsmanship to youth

Bob Tearse and Joseph Kleinman are sharing their sword-fighting expertise with young people on south Whidbey Island.

Craig Chambers takes orders while working behind the bar at Obsidian Beer Hall on Friday, April 12, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Obsidian Beer Hall takes over former Toggle’s space in downtown Everett

Beyond beer, the Black-owned taphouse boasts a chill vibe with plush sofas, art on the walls and hip-hop on the speakers.

Glimpse the ancient past in northeast England

Hadrian’s Wall stretches 73 miles across the isle. It’s still one of England’s most thought-provoking sights.

I accidentally paid twice for my hotel. Can I get a refund?

Why did Valeska Wehr pay twice for her stay at a Marriott property in Boston? And why won’t Booking.com help her?

How do you want your kids to remember you when they grow up?

Childhood flies by, especially for parents. So how should we approach this limited time while our kids are still kids?

Dalton Dover performs during the 2023 CMA Fest on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Spotify House in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

The Red Hot Chili Pipers come to Edmonds, and country artist Dalton Dover performs Friday as part of the Everett Stampede.

Lily Gladstone poses at the premiere of the Hulu miniseries "Under the Bridge" at the DGA Theatre, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Mountlake Terrace’s Lily Gladstone plays cop in Hulu’s ‘Under the Bridge’

The true-crime drama started streaming Wednesday. It’s Gladstone’s first part since her star turn in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.