You have probably heard that you should always pair white wine with fish, however, that is not necessarily the case with Salmon, which is meatier in flavor and texture than other fish. Salmon can easily be paired with both white and red wines. While you do want to avoid a full-bodied red, as the flavor of the wine will overpower the fish, pairing with a red often comes down to the type of salmon and the preparation. Below we have provided some recommendations for both white and red wines based on these factors.
Best Red Wine With Salmon
Red is not the go-to choice when it comes to salmon, but it is not completely off-limits. You will generally want to stick with light-bodied reds with a lighter tannin structure to avoid any metallic taste.
- Lambrusco: a slight bubbliness with strong berry notes.
- Pinot Noir: always a popular choice; light on body, high on aromatics.
- Beaujolais: also known as Gamay, light, low tannins.
- Grenache: floral with strong berry flavor and notes of citrus.
Best White Wine With Salmon
You will want to take care in choosing a white that is not too light, lest it is overpowered by the salmon. Dry whites, Rosé, and sparkling wine are all great choices.
- Chardonnay; dry and buttery with moderate tannins and acidity.
- Champagne: Bubbly, floral, and fruity with notes of citrus, peach, or cherry.
- Rosé: bright acidity with strong berry flavor.
- Albariño; Dry with high acidity and notes of lemon and grapefruit.
- Sauvignon Blanc; highly acidic, fruity, dry white with herb tones.
Pairing Wine With Various Salmon Dishes
Pairing Wine With Grilled Salmon
Grilling will give your salmon a meatier texture, which can then pair with a Pinot Noir or Gamay if you prefer red and a Pinot Gris if you prefer white. If the salmon is prepared on a cedar plank, the fish will take on a smokier flavor and will be delicious with a nice Rosé.
Pairing Wine With Pan Seared Salmon
Delicious, crispy skin salmon is great with light-bodied reds like Grenache, Beaujolais, or even a Lambrusco if you are in the mood for bubbles.
Pairing Wine With Smoked Salmon
This classic needs a high-acidity wine to handle the saltiness of the salmon. A Rosé or Champagne will be a lovely complement.
Pairing Wine With Raw Salmon
Salmon is great in sashimi, ceviche and salmon tartare. A wine high in acidity will bring out the natural flavor of the salmon. Try Champagne or Rosé with this delicacy.
Pairing Wine With Salmon with Cream Sauce
Think along the lines of a Béarnaise, Beurre Blanc, or garlic butter sauce. A full-bodied white will pair nicely here. Try a Chardonnay or Semillon. Follow these same recommendations when trying to pair with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
Pairing Wine With Glazed Salmon
Whether teriyaki, honey, or pineapple juice, sweet is usually the name of the game with glazed salmon. A Lambrusco, Gewurztraminer, or dry Riesling will match the sweetness without overpowering.
Pairing Wine With Salmon Chowder
This rich, flavorful chowder will need some acid and bubbles to cut through the heaviness of the cream. Try Champagne or any sparkling wine.
Pairing Wine With Spicy Salmon
A light, crisp white—think Sauvignon Blanc or dry Riesling—will balance out the spice and cool the palette.
Pairing Wine With Blackened Salmon
This style of salmon can handle a bold and robust red. Consider a Merlot or Zinfandel.
Pairing Wine With Slow-Cooked Salmon
This light and flaky preparation is often served on salads. The delicate fish is baked and if done right, the fish will be very tender and light. A light Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris will make a lovely match to serve with the salmon.
Pairing Wine With Fish & Chips
Pairing Wine With Chilean Sea Bass
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.