Every wine enthusiast knows that pairing wine with salmon, when done right, can truly elevate the entire dish! So, if you’re just starting your journey with wine pairing and wondering which wine pairs well with salmon, we are here to share some insights to guide you.
Salmon and Wine Pairing
Whether you enjoy roasted, grilled, or seared salmon, it pairs beautifully with wine. While fish is typically associated with white wine, the rich and oily pink-fleshed salmon is a surprisingly versatile option.
Salmon has a meatier and more intense flavour than other fish varieties, such as tilapia, cod, or anchovies. Because of its texture and taste, it pairs well with a variety of wines, including dry white, light red, rosé, and sparkling wines.
When selecting a wine to pair with salmon, various factors come into play, such as the accompanying sauce and side dishes. The key is to establish a balance of flavours that complement and enhance one another without overwhelming each other. While achieving this balance can be challenging, choosing a wine with a robust taste is crucial.
Best Wines to Pair with Salmon
From delightful, flavour-enhancing whites to light reds that create a wonderful balance, here are some great examples of the best wines to enjoy with salmon.
Sauvignon Blanc
A refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with herbal notes is an excellent white wine for salmon. The elevated acidity and grassy taste effectively balance the fish's richness.
If you’re seeking the ideal wine to accompany salmon, Sauvignon Blanc is a classic choice. Its acidity and citrus undertones enhance the fresh flavours of the rich salmon, particularly in recipes featuring garlic and lemon.
Chardonnay
Classic Chardonnay pairs well with salmon, creating an ideal match for rich fish and shellfish like lobster and crab. It effectively balances the richness of salmon while serving as a palate cleanser. For many wine lovers, Chardonnay stands out as the top white wine for salmon.
A rich, oaky Chardonnay pairs exceptionally well with salmon accompanied by cream or butter-based sauces, such as Beurre Blanc, Béarnaise, lemon dill cream sauce, or creamy horseradish dill sauce.
Grenache
Grenache is a medium to full-bodied red wine with its roots in the sunny southern regions of France. With its delightful medium acidity and gentle tannins, it pairs wonderfully with salmon, cutting through the richness of the fish to create a perfectly balanced and enjoyable dining experience.
It features an earthy, smoky flavour that pairs wonderfully with smoked or grilled salmon.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a classic wine pairing with salmon. It’s light-bodied and low in tannins, showcasing delicious dark fruit and floral aromas that complement the salmon's flavour.
Like Grenache, a glass of Pinot Noir pairs well with grilled, smoky salmon, whose intense flavours are enhanced by the equally rich red wine.
Dry Rosé
Dry rosé is an excellent wine for pairing with salmon, particularly those produced using the saignée method. The saignée technique removes a portion of juice from crushed red grape tanks during the early stage of fermentation. As a result, this rosé is bolder and more tannic than other varieties, making it a wonderful pairing with salmon.
A glass of dry rosé pairs beautifully with light summer salmon salads and is also great with baked or grilled salmon.
Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine, particularly French champagne, is an excellent pairing for salmon. The French variety primarily consists of a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. This divine combination creates a bold-flavoured sparkling wine that balances the richness and intense taste of the salmon.
The wine's vibrant flavour and high acidity complement smoked salmon perfectly, particularly when served with a bagel, cream cheese, and salty capers. This combination enhances the fishy notes of the salmon.
The Best Salmon Meal Ideas to Pair with Wine
There are so many delightful ways to prepare salmon! That means the perfect wine pairing really depends on how you cook it and what delicious sides you choose to serve. Let’s explore some wonderful wine options that complement various salmon dishes beautifully.
Crispy Skin Salmon
The steak-like texture and flakiness of crispy-skinned salmon provide incredible dining sensations. Its meaty richness calls for an equally flavoursome red wine.
Wines that pair well with crispy skin salmon:
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Beaujolais
- Valpolicella Blend
Teriyaki Glazed Salmon
Although this dish has many variations, they all have a common trait: the sweetness from ingredients such as brown sugar, pineapple, or agave syrup. This sweet element paired with rich salmon results in a delightful blend of sweet and savoury flavours, which can be complemented by sparkling and sweet wines.
Best wine for glazed salmon:
- Gewürztraminer
- Muscat Blanc (Muscato)
- Off-dry Riesling
Roasted Salmon with Cream Sauce
A traditional method for preparing salmon involves roasting or poaching it to perfection, then garnishing it with a creamy, lemony, and herbal topping. Some of the sauces that are often used for these dishes are béarnaise, lemon dill cream sauce, dill and cucumber yogurt sauce, or a creamy horseradish and caper sauce.
The best wine to pair with roasted salmon and cream sauce is:
- Chardonnay
- Sémillon
- Sauvignon Blanc
So, what wine should you pair with salmon?
Red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines can all pair beautifully with your favourite salmon dish. The main point to remember is to choose a wine that enhances rather than overwhelms the rich flavour of the fish.
The most enjoyable wine pairing with salmon is the one that pleases your palate, so don't be afraid to explore various wines to discover your new favourite salmon and wine pairing. If you'd like to learn more about the different types of wine available in the Niagara Region, consider joining one of our expertly guided wine tours. We have a range of private and shared Niagara-on-the-Lake winery tours to suit any occasion and group size.
Ready to begin your wine adventure? Book a guided wine tour in Niagara today to discover new and exciting pairings for your favourite dishes.