Pairing Wine With Mackerel

Mackerel is a nice meaty Mediterranean fish that can be paired excellently with crisp white wines with high acidity like Sauvignon Blanc or slightly more heavy-bodied reds like Merlot. Due to the variety of preparations, mackerel filets can be batter-fried to offer lemon herb flavors or they can be grilled in Asian flavors such as a ginger-soy dressing. We’ll cover a range of interesting wines to pair with mackerel for anything from a fancy dinner party to impress your guests to an easy night-in with family. The wines are from different terroirs like Loire Valley in France to Chianti in Italy.

Wine Characteristics To Pair With Mackerel

Characteristic	Detail
Sweetness	Dry
Acidity	Medium
Tannins	Medium
Body	Light White / Light Red / Rosé
Tasting Notes	Floral, red fruit, tree fruits

Wines with a fresh and acidic flavor profile would pair well with the fattiness of mackerel. The tannins would cut through the fat and complement the delicious texture of this seafood dish.

Best Red Wine To Drink With Mackerel

Red wine lovers, you’re in for a treat! Many Italian and French reds complement seafood items like mackerel. Depending on how the fish is actually served, you could go with a light-bodied red or a rosé especially if you are enjoying this dish in pleasant Mediterranean weather. Merlot A merlot is a mellow and inviting wine that is rich in red-fruit and ripe berry flavors. The light tannins from a merlot would be best appreciated in fish that is prepared in herbed garlic sauces. Pinot Noir We’d also suggest going for a pinot noir if you’re looking for a more popular and dynamic wine. The tannins and mild fruitiness would complement the mackerel without overpowering its flavor. Rosé Another interesting pairing would be a dry rosé of Cabernet Franc or Syrah. Best served chilled, this rosé would bring out the savory meatiness that is unique to a mackerel preparation.

Best White Wine To Drink With Mackerel

The white wine varietals to pair with mackerel are numerous. With crispier, acidic options like Sauvignon Blanc to fruitier, lighter options like Riesling, there’s a lot to choose from. Sauvignon Blanc The unique characteristic of a Sauvignon Blanc is its grassy flavor profile that can be tasted and smelled in the wine. That makes it one of the best wines to pair with mackerel given the herbaceous tasting notes that it brings out in lemon-crusted or ginger-glazed fish dishes. Riesling This is another fantastic no-brainer option to pair with more Asian preparations of mackerel. The slight sweetness, light intensity, and acidic nature of a riesling makes it a great choice. Pouilly-Fuissé Saving the best for the last, a Pouilly-Fuissé white made from Chardonnay grapes would be our go-to white for its refreshing and sophisticated tasting notes. The oakiness from the grapes would add a much-needed creaminess to fried fish.

Pairing Wine With Mackerel Prepared Different Ways

Wine Asian Grilled Mackerel

A lot of mackerel is usually prepared deep-fried with crusted and flaky breadcrumbs. Grilling mackerel in Asian sauces like ponzu, or ginger-soy dressings are also great options. Serving up a healthier option would make it a perfect guilt-free indulgence to pair with a light, crisp rosè.

Best Wine To Drink With Mackerel

Mackerel is such an easily prepared dish that also has strong ocean-like flavors that are perfectly highlighted with as much as a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. What makes this fish so versatile is the way it can be prepared. Our best recommendations for a mackerel would be: