Carne

Red · Full · Dry

California's brawler — jammy blackberry, brambly spice, and 15% alcohol that hides behind the fruit. Built for ribs, brisket, and anything that came off a grill.

Works with Carne · Carne Seca · Carne Asada +5 more Carne · Carne Seca · Carne Asada · Carne Sopes · Chili Con Carne · Chile Con Carne · Carne Con Chile · Chilli Com Carne

Red · Full · Dry

The benchmark for full-bodied red — structured, age-worthy, unapologetic. Black currant, graphite, and tobacco lead into firm tannins that demand protein on the plate. Decant young bottles; cellar the serious ones.

Works with Carne Seca · Carne Sopes · Chili Con Carne +3 more Carne Seca · Carne Sopes · Chili Con Carne · Chile Con Carne · Carne Con Chile · Chilli Com Carne

Red · Full · Dry

Argentina's signature grape: deep purple, plummy, and remarkably smooth for its weight. Soft tannins and a touch of cocoa make it the dinner-party Cabernet alternative — and far easier on the wallet.

Works with Carne Seca · Carne Sopes · Chili Con Carne +3 more Carne Seca · Carne Sopes · Chili Con Carne · Chile Con Carne · Carne Con Chile · Chilli Com Carne

Red · Full · Dry

Shiraz's more reserved European cousin — Northern Rhône style, all violets, black olive, and white pepper. Less brawn, more poise; pairs as well with lamb as with peppered duck breast.

Works with Carne Seca · Carne Sopes · Chile Con Carne +2 more Carne Seca · Carne Sopes · Chile Con Carne · Carne Con Chile · Chilli Com Carne

Red · Light · Dry

Gamay-based reds from southern Burgundy — light, fruity, food-friendly. The serious Cru bottlings (Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent) drink like Pinot Noir at half the price.

Works with Chili Con Carne · Chili Con Carne With Chili Cheddar Shortcakes

White · Light · Off-dry

Aromatic, racy, and shapeshifting — bone-dry in Alsace, off-dry on the Mosel, syrupy and ageless when late-harvested. The single most versatile wine for spicy food on earth.

Works with Chile Con Carne · Carne Con Chile

Red · Full · Dry

Old-vine Shiraz from Barossa or McLaren Vale: dark, peppery, and unembarrassed about its size. Black plum, smoked meat, licorice, and a finish that lingers like the last embers of a grill.

Works with Carne Asada · Chili Con Carne

Red · Medium · Dry

California's signature red — jammy, brambly, often 15% alcohol, with notes of blackberry, black pepper, and dried herb. Built for ribs and brisket.

Red · Medium · Dry

Australia's signature red — dense, spice-driven, peppery, often pushing 15% alcohol. Barossa makes it brawniest; McLaren Vale, smokier; Hunter, leaner. Built for the grill.

White · Medium · Dry

The most-planted white grape and the most chameleon-like. Crisp and steely from Chablis; rich, oaky, and tropical from California. Read the label, then match the style to the dish.

Red · Medium · Dry

Chile's reds — Cabernet, Merlot, Carménère, blends — riper than Bordeaux, less brawny than Napa, often great value with notable green-pepper character.

Red · Medium · Dry

The blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre that fills every wine list in France for a reason — friendly, peppery, slightly rustic, made to wash down anything from grilled vegetables to lamb stew.