Pairing Wine With Flounder

Flounder is a versatile fish that can be cooked in many ways; it falls in a group of species of flatfish known for their flaky flesh, it has mild, slightly sweet flavor with a non fishy, delicate taste. It can be baked, boiled, fried, sauteed and steamed. Flounder is a type of flat fish that live on the bottom of the ocean, where they lie on their wide flat bodies and have both eyes on the side of their heads.

This fish is usually sold in filets which mean there are no skin, bones or fat to remove before cooking, and since it is a more delicate fish that flakes easily its best when pan frying to prepare a batter which helps hold the fish together. Because of the delicate flavor and texture of this fish it is important to pair this fish with a delicate wine!

Wine Characteristics To Pair With Flounder

Best White Wines to Pair with Flounder

Flounder has a delicate, subtle flavor and also texture, so a white wine with a bright acidity and minerality will enhance delicate flavor, creating a pairing which is very complimentary and enjoyable!

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is driven by ripe pear, stone fruit and rockmelon flavors balanced with vibrant acidity; flounder is rich but delicate and not too fishy, so the broad complex of fruit characters of the wine add a flavourful, slightly spiced note to the gentle taste of the Flounder.  

Muscadet

Muscadet is a bone dry light bodied white wine from the Loire Valley of France that is made with the Melon de Bourgogne grapes. Muscadet has notes of lemon, lime, tart apple and almost sea-like saline quality. Again it is extremely high acidity and has a total lack of sweetness, the wine is extremely crisp and refreshing also. This light bodied wine with piercing acidity is an exceptional pairing with a delicate fish like Flounder.

Gavi

Gavi is the Cortese grape and is one of Piedmont’s most exciting whites. A super vivid and refreshing wine, with delicate aromas of citrus fruits and roasted almonds, followed by flavors of lemon, grapefruit, green apple, melon, pear and white peach with a mineral edge and a slight creamy and nutty texture. Gavi pairs best with grilled Flounder as the crispy, charred skin with Gavi’s nutty notes makes it the perfect wine for pairing for this fish.

Picpoul

Picpoul is an ancient white wine grape variety of Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Picuepoul translates literally to “stings the lip” and is a reference to the grape’s mouthwatering high acidity. Its flavor profile is vivid and refreshing with aromas of citrus fruits, flower blossoms, lemon, lime, green apple and sometimes grapefruit, with subtle mineral notes. All these flavor combinations pair wonderfully with Flounder. 

Best Red Wines to Pair with Flounder

Red wines are tricky to pair with delicate fish like Flounder. This is because tannins can be far too harsh and overpowering and completely overwhelm the fish. However there is a red which has a young lighter style to it, with low tannin levels; which make a great pairing with Flounder!

Beaujolais

Beaujolais pairs super well with Flounder as the light and fruitiness of this wine with the backing of high acidity doesn’t overwhelm the fish! Beaujolais is lighter in flavor but holds cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavors which complements nicely to the light flavors of the dish!

Best Wines to Pair with Flounder

Flounder being the very delicate, light fish it is, it is best paired with a nice crisp white wine, though not a traditional Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. It is important to remember we want to highlight the flavor of fish more and not overpower it, so it is vital to remember to make sure the wine has acidity to it to bring out the flavors in the fish. If desperately wanting to pair with a red, make sure the wine has low tannin, alcohol and high acidity; all for white paris wonderfully well with Flounder. 

• Pinot Grigio
• Muscadet
• Gavi
• Picpoul
• Beaujolais