Where To Go With Mexican Accented Chicken Breast

I found myself in a little quandary last night as I struggled with a wine to pair with Mexican stuffed chicken breast from AJ’s. The chicken was filleted, stuffed with green chili peppers, pepper jack cheese and seasoned. It was baked at around 425 degrees for about 45 minutes. They offer it for around $7.99/lb. With palate primed for a spicy chicken dinner, and a side of corn on the cob garnished with a little soft margarine and garlic and herb dried spice, my mind of course turned to a wine pairing. It was chicken but spiced up a bit. A Chard seemed too round considering the spice of the dish while a Riesling really wasn’t called for as the dish’s spice didn’t need “defusing.” I was thinking that perhaps a Gewurztraminer might work but no……….too much risk of litchi, apricot, cinnamon, cloves, star fruit and smoke….definitely the wrong profile. Finally, after reviewing my white inventory, I stumbled across some 2008 Cantina Terlano Pinot Bianco I had ordered a few months back from the Alto Adige region of Italy. With sprite acidity and lovely but rounded citrus aromas, the wine worked like a charm. In fact, it was even more enjoyable than I had remembered with the ’07. The wine, while not available in Tucson, as far as I know, is affordable at ~$22. My suggestion……go find this wine on the net and order some. You won’t be disappointed. Another successful Dinner Tonight.