Recommendations for Wine and Fish

Have you ever wondered what type of wine pairs perfectly with fish? According to traditional wine pairing guidelines, white wine is typically served with starters and red wine with main courses. But what if your main dish is a delicious fish dish?

Another classic rule is to serve fish with white wine, but what if you're having a juicy tuna steak with a rich red wine sauce? That's when wine pairing can get a bit confusing. Don't worry though, let's explore the options together and find the perfect match!

Excited to find the perfect wine to go with your fish dishes? I’ve got you covered! In this article, I’ll be sharing my top recommendations for pairing wine and fish. And don’t worry, I’ve included a variety of wine options so you can explore different taste profiles and find the perfect match for you. 

Remember wine and food pairing is a personal experience, so feel free to try different combinations to see what works best for you.

With the right pairing, you can bring out the delicious flavours and aromas in both food and drink. 

So, let’s dive in and find your perfect combination for wine and fish!

Red Wine and Fish

The first thing you should know about fish is that it pairs with acids rather than tannins. Think of wine as a lemon squeeze - it adds a bright and tangy flavour to the dish. So, when choosing a wine to pair with your fish, choose the ones with a good acidity level. 

Fish has little fat and, therefore, will need to be paired with a low tannin content to enhance its flavour. As an example, for oily fish dishes like salmon and mackerel, consider a light-bodied wine like Pinot Noir or Gamay. These wine varieties will complement the rich flavours of the fish and create a delicious combination. 

Pinot Noir and fish pair well because the red wine's light body balances the mild-medium flavour profile of the fatty fish. Pinot Noir is a great choice for pairing with mild-flavored fish dishes. Its fruity notes of cherry and raspberry, combined with its mild tannins, make it a complementary match. Plus, its low acidity levels ensure that it won't overpower the delicate flavors of the fish. A fun fact about Pinot Noir wine: its light and refreshing character allows it to cleanse your palate between bites, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavors of both the food and wine with each and every bite!

If you're serving up a Norwegian salmon dish, a great wine pairing option would be a red wine low in tannins, such as a light and approachable Beaujolais.

Tuna and red wine can also make a great match. Just be mindful not to choose a wine high in tannins, as it can create an unpleasant metallic taste. Opt for a low-tannin Pinot Noir with a low alcohol content, which won't overwhelm your palate.

White Wine and Fish

One of the classic wine pairing rules is to pair white wine with white fish dishes. If you're serving up cod, sole, flounder, or sea bass, consider a young, structured white wine. A dry Sauvignon Blanc is a great option to bring out the flavors of the fish.

Sauvignon Blanc and fish are a popular match due to the wine´s bright acidity, minerality and citrus fruit flavours. Its lemon and grapefruit aromas help to enhance the flavors of the dish, especially if it's seasoned with herbs and spices.

A fish soup with light flavors pairs well with young and fruity white wines, such as a fresh Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, or Viognier. I personally enjoy pairing fish soup with a Gewürztraminer because its floral character, with aromatic herbs and sweet spices, complements the smoothness of the soup. Furthermore, the wine's structure and long aftertaste balance perfectly with the flavour of the fish.

If you're serving a fish dish with a white wine sauce, I recommend a light white wine with an alcohol content of around 12.5%, such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Albariño.

A mineral Albariño wine from the northern Spanish region of Galicia, specifically Rias Baixas, is a great choice. Its mineral acidity and fruity flavors of citrus fruit and green apple perfectly complement the light flavors of the fish. I especially enjoy this pairing for its seamless blend of flavors.

If you're a fan of fish and pasta, such as Fettuccine Nero with shrimp, it's best to choose wines with more body. To complement the intensity of the dish, I recommend going for full-bodied white wines aged in wood.

Remember that cod pairs well with Sauvignon Blanc, fish with wine sauce goes well with Albariño, and pasta with fish is best paired with full-bodied wines.

Rose Wine and Fish

Rosé wine, also known as rose wine, is a popular and refreshing wine that is enjoyed by many people around the world. It is made from a blend of red and white grapes or from red grapes that have had brief contact with their skins during the winemaking process. The result is a light, crisp wine with fruity and floral notes.

A fresh Syrah rosé wine is an excellent choice for this pairing. Syrah is a red grape variety that is known for producing full-bodied red wines. When made into a rosé wine, Syrah brings an aromatic intensity and notes of rosemary herbs to the table, which complement the light flavors of raw sushi. The rosemary notes in the wine also balance out the fishy taste of the sushi, creating a harmonious dining experience.

When it comes to pairing food with wine, rosé wine is a versatile choice that can be paired with a wide range of dishes, including seafood. One of the most popular pairings is rosé wine with sushi. Sushi is a Japanese dish that is typically made with raw fish, rice, and various other ingredients. Its light and delicate flavor profile is perfectly complemented by the crisp and refreshing nature of rosé wine.

Sparkling Wine and Fish

Let's not forget about one of the most sophisticated wine pairings: champagne and oysters. A dry, structured sparkling drink with a nose full of aromas and freshness will match perfectly with the minerality of the oysters.

Another of my favorite wine pairings is prosecco and salty fish. For instance, when I'm having cod and want to add some bubbles to the mix, I'll definitely opt for prosecco. The silky and fruity nature of prosecco pairs exceptionally well with the saltiness of the fish.

If you're interested in learning more about wine and fish pairings, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter or visit our online store. You'll find plenty of recommendations and suggestions to help you elevate your dining experience.

See you later, wine lovers,

Victoria