South Shore Temptations Wine 101 with Sommelier Miguel Jauregui

by Nicole Martin

For snowbirds travelling to Mexico this winter and year round PV homeowners, deciding which wine we should pair with our meals and dinner parties welcoming our new found friends can be a daunting task, especially as you may not be able to find the labels you are used to at home.

Add to that all those wonderful new Mexican flavors you will be adding to your dishes, and you might be stumped over which wine to serve.

Never fear, Garza Blanca Resort’s expert sommelier, Miguel Jauregui shares his top tips for wine pairing in Puerto Vallarta to suite your budget and lifestyle.

How can one pick a good wine in Puerto Vallarta?

There are so many options in Puerto Vallarta for great wine. Contrary to what people might think, Mexico is a great wine producer too. The first thing to consider is what type of wine you want to serve with your meal: white or rose can be a great option for the warm weather. Likewise, when it is really hot, you should check the vintage of red wines and choose a younger wine, the fresher the better for the heat.

Amongst the Mexican wines, you might want to try a good cabernet sauvignon, nebbiolo or tempranillo from Baja California, and a syrah from Coahuila is a smooth option too. Most people have heard of the vineyards in Baja California, but there are also great vineyards in other states like Mexico, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes and Queretaro that you might want to try.

How much does one have to pay to buy a decent bottle of wine?

The price is not always the best indicator of quality. You can find a good wine from a quality vineyard for around 150 pesos. Usually, if you spend between 200 and 500 pesos, you can find some really amazing Mexican wines.

What is your education and why did you choose to educate people about wine?

I graduated with a tourist management degree from Guadalajara University and then went on to study a diploma in wines with ONSOM, the National Sommelier Organization. Wine has been my passion since I first tried it with dinner as a teenager.

It is such a complex and fascinating area of knowledge which opens up the doors to an incredible lifestyle. As for Mexican wines, I love to share good food and great wine with anyone who is interested and show the world that Mexico is not just about tequila and cactus.

If you would like to learn more about great wine and consult Javier on your own wine questions, you can join him at Garza Blanca Signature Residences for a complimentary wine tasting at Blanca Blue Restaurant each Thursday evening. Be sure to make an appointment and meet other like minded expats and locals in Puerto Vallarta joined together by their love of good wine.

Limited space and subject to reservation.
Dress code: Smart casual (collar shirt, no shorts or sandals permitted).
Reservations via email: Nicole.m@garzablancaresidences.com

Direct 52 (322) 176 0728
Mobile (322) 137 3972