I am a Wine lover and so preparing a scrumptious meal with Salmon and serving wine alongside is indeed a perfect, elegant table preparation for guests. Sounds good? If yes, you might already have your best recipe in mind but choosing the perfect wine to pair it with salmon is the challenging task here.
But do you know that red wines mostly go with Salmon which brand is the question? Hence, I have prepared this article that displays the top 5 wines that would absolutely make your guest go gaga over the special dinner you’ve prepared for them!
Red wine pairs with salmon
No matter how you are cooking the salmon, be it roasted, grilled or seared, wine is the best drink to be paired up with Salmon due to its rich texture. Not only does it enhance the overall flavour of the whole meal, but it also helps in contributing to leaving a classy impression.
Wondering about the wine pairing with salmon Let us first help you with selecting the red wine.
Pinot Noir
This aromatic red wine is widely popular and goes well with Salmon due to its subtle dark fruit and floral flavour that beautifully pairs with the bold flavour of Salmon and doubles its taste and texture.
However, if you are looking for a lighter flavour of pinot Noir to pair with farmed Salmon, then Rose Pinot Noir can make a great addition to your dish.
Grenache
Grenache would be a great choice if you have cooked grilled or smoked salmon tonight. This medium-bodied red wine contains a smoky flavour that holds up well with the smoky flavours of your salmon. The flavour of this wine is so exquisite that it will help you cut through the fattiness of the fish and will leave your mouth with a balanced flavour of both. Overall, it will be a perfect choice.
Beaujolais
Craving for some fruity yet earth flavour? This red wine will make you obsessed with its rich flavour and a subtle touch of earthiness. This wine goes perfectly well with salmon and would definitely not overshadow your main dish. It will work perfectly with the flavours of oven-baked salmon or even salmon with fruit sauce. Go with it without any second thought!
Lambrusco
Originating from Northern Italy, Lambrusco is a red sparkling wine with a super refreshing and fruity flavour. This red is perfect to be served with Salmon as the rich flavour of Salmon will blend purely with the light flavour of the wine without overshadowing each other. If you are having Salmon with a spicy sauce, then it is advisable to opt for off-dry Lambrusco.
Primitivo
From Southern Italy, this lighter-bodied red wine blends perfectly with grilled Salmon in a summer barbeque. The chill yet fruity flavour makes a great addition to the meal and goes well with rich and flavourful pan-seared salmon.
White wine pairs with salmon
Do you know that white wine is always the go-to choice for many who are looking for some top-notch balance between Salmon and wine? Now that you have an idea about red wine, let us help you choose some of the best white wines that can be a great addition to your shelf!
Sauvignon Blanc
This white wine from the Marlborough region has an impeccable blend of herbal and crispy flavour that finely works with Salmon prepared with herbs. The wine is widely popular for its subtle grassy flavour that brings out an extraordinary essence and compliments the bold flavours of salmon by bringing a balance to the fattiness.
Chardonnay
Always a classic choice! Chardonnay is always the go-to wine when it has to be paired up with Salmon. Not only salmon, but also fantastically blends with lobster, shellfish, and crab. You can go with the buttery oaked chardonnay which has a vibrant flavour and will surely bring out the best flavours of your meal.
Torrontes
Do you know that it is considered to be a superstar white wine? It has a perfect combination of medium acidic and fruity flavours that works well with the bold and rich flavours of salmon. Like other premium wines, this one also cuts with the fattiness of the salmon and brings out a proportionate balance between the two.
Pascal Jolivet
This vintage wine with a divine aromatic essence goes best with the spicy and rich flavour of the Salmon. The coolness compliments the natural power of the wine and thus won’t steal the focus from the main dish. They will work finely with each other by bringing out the best taste.
Rose wine
Even though it is not a white wine but it is always the first choice for many when paired with salmon. They make an excellent combination of the fruity notes of the wine and the smoky essence of the fish. You can try Pinot Noir rose wine.
If you are to ask which type of wine goes best with Salmon, it is best to say both. It actually depends on your own taste and the cooking method you have used to prepare your dish.
If you are still confused, then follow the tips mentioned in the next section to choose your favourite!
Tips for Choosing Wine Based on Salmon Preparation
Grilled salmon: If you are going with grilled salmon for dinner, then pair it up with full-bodied wines containing earthy and smoky notes. Grenache would be the best option in this case.
Salmon with citrus-based sauces: The tartness or sour texture of the salmon would go well with sweeter-tasting wines and complement each other’s flavors really well. Opt for Lambrusco or Moscato in this case.
Raw salmon: If you are choosing to serve raw salmon tonight, then we would advise you to acidic and sparkling white wines like Prosecco or Chablis
Salmon with cream sauce: The buttery and creamy sauce of the salmon would go well with an oaky full-bodied Chardonnay due to its vibrant flavour.
Sweet glazed salmon: If you are serving salmon with maple syrup or honey, it is better to avoid wines with sweeter textures. Go with wines that contain citrus notes or mineral character to cut through the sweetness of the salmon and make a perfect balance. Rieslings from Germany can be a great option.
Farmed salmon: Farmed salmons are known to contain a lighter flavour than wild salmons. Hence, serving it with a full-bodied wine with vibrant and fruity flavour will be a fantastic option. Pinot Noir will make a great pair with farmed salmon.
Poached salmon: Poached salmon calls for an exquisite taste of wine. You can go with wines of fruity and light flavors that will bring out the richness of your poached salmon.
Styles To Look For When Pairing Wine With Salmon
| Style of salmon | Wine style |
| Seared salmon | Chilled Pinot Noir, Chardonnay |
| Smoked salmon | Blanc de Blancs Champagne, English sparkling wine, Riesling, manzanilla Sherry |
| Herbs and citrus | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Sweet spice (ginger) or Miso | Pinot Gris, Riesling |
| Sushi | Sauvignon Blanc, especially Sancerre |
Italian Red Wine With Salmon
When people think of Italian cuisine, they immediately think of pizza, pasta, and red wine. Wine is an integral part of their culture, and it’s commonly consumed along with their favorite meals.
It’s such a staple in Italian food that you can even find innovative ways to pair it with dishes such as salmon, which you may not have considered previously.
To make your dining experience more memorable, try pairing your salmon dish with Red Italian wine.
You can pair traditional red wines like Chianti, Barbera, or Sangiovese or the lighter variety of wines like Pinot Nero with your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What kind of wine goes well with salmon?
Both red and white wine pair extremely well with Salmon. You can go with wines that have a fruity and floral flavour to compliment the rich flavour of salmon.
Q2. Do you drink white or red wine with salmon?
It depends entirely upon your own choice. Certain people choose red wine while others go with white.
Q3. What do you drink with salmon?
The oaky-flavoured Chardonnay is the go-to choice of many for salmon.
Q4. Does salmon pair with red wine?
Salmon pairs fantastically with red wine. The best red wine to pair with salmon is Pinot Noir.
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