Whites Rule But Reds And Ross Have Their Place
Pairing wine with fish or seafood can be daunting. Yes, white wines are generally the right choicebut which ones? Choose a dry white when you need a full-bodied, lush wine and you will be disappointed. What about seafood with heavy sauces, like barbecue or tomato sauce? Do you use the same wine with grilled shrimp that you do with lobster thermidor?
It can be confusing. Here are some quick rules and eight go-to wine types for whenever you’re serving seafood. Don’t worry if you can’t get the exact wine here. These are general rules, and as we all know, rules are made to be broken.
What Style Of Cooked Salmon Goes Well With Pinot Noir
Salmon has been paired with Pinot Noir at restaurants since the beginning of time because they just work so well together.
If youre going for a savory meal thats more on the rich and heavy side, then a seared or grilled salmon with Pinot Noir is where its at. This can be anything from an informal family barbecue to a holiday dinner party, but the key is to make sure your dish has some sort of spice on it to balance out the natural sweetness inherent in this wine.
For those who prefer something sweet with their salmon, feel free to opt for roasted or braised varieties. Those dishes are great for more formal occasions like weddings and Thanksgiving dinners. What makes this combination particularly good is that when paired with Pinot Noir, salmon can be enjoyed without a lot of fuss or hard-to-find ingredients.
What Wine Do I Pair With Fried Fish
Fried calamari, cod, mullet, shrimp, anchovies a proper fish fry is one of the most delicious dishes of the Mediterranean, typical of coastal regions. But a true typical fried fish dish must consist only of the catch of the day. No proper fried fish dish would be made with frozen fish as the sogginess of thawed fish would not fry well in oil.
Most people think that fried food is a no-no, but if cooked at the right temperature and with the right oil, you should not feel that sensation of greasiness or unhealthy fat. There should be no residual oil and the aromas and flavors of the fish will not be covered or eliminated by the fry, but instead will be enhanced. A perfect fish fry does not require condiments to cover flavors, just a bit of salt and maybe lemon. Why alter the pleasant flavors of an already balanced dish?
Wine Pairings for Fried FishNow its time to talk about wine and fish pairings. Fried fish! Typically, fish calls for white wine, but it is too easy to stop there. A sapid, fresh white wine with hints of fruit is sure to bring out the flavors of your fish. A coastal Italian wine such as then Vermentino of Liguria or a Falanghina of Campi Flegrei Campana makes a good pairing. Another great pairing is the Tuscan Vermentino of Maremma which combines softness with floral fragrances and the freshness of fruit. The combination of fried fish and Vermentino will really indulge your senses.
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Seafood Pairing House Rules
Best With Blackened Salmon: Bedrock Wine Company Old Vine Zinfandel 2018
Seasoned, most likely, with a combination of paprika, garlic, cayenne, and oregano and then seared until a dark and crisp crust is formed, the blackened salmon is a versatile dish. The bold, nuanced flavors in the Bedrock Zinfandel are a wonderful match for the rich and flavorful blackened salmon. Full-bodied, wonderfully balanced with extensive notes of spice and black pepper, this zinfandel features a silky texture balanced with grippy acidity and an ample personality.
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Snapper Flounder Or Grouper
Similarly mild and sweet flaky fish, snapper, flounder, and grouper are often served in filet form. They can all be baked, broiled, or pan-seared and the delicate nutty flavor shines best without too much extra seasoning.
Wine Recommendation: Try a Chenin Blanc! There are many varieties of this versatile little grape. If youve seasoned them lightly or want to stick to summer, try a dry Vouvray or Montlouis. If there are strong flavors or side dishes, go for the off-dry version with Savennèires or even a Steen from South Africa.
What Wine Goes With Bluefish
The imaginatively named Bluefish, sometimes known as Tailor are strong muscled swimmers that can put up a fight with keen fishers. Its the muscle that gives Bluefish its distinctively rich, oily flavour.
Bluefish is best eaten fresh, and because it has a soft texture, so take care when cooking and handling. Bluefish has a bit of a reputation, because they can develop quite a fishy, gamey flavour if they are not eaten after three or four days.
The high oil content of Bluefish makes it ideal for grilling, barbecuing or baking. If youre thinking of Bluefish for dinner, head to the herbs and spice aisle of your local New World for oregano, basil and thyme, as well as fresh tomato, lemon and fennel with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Like swordfish, bluefish is also full-flavoured and meaty, which means a light red wine can compliment its natural flavours. Think Pinot Noir or even a Gamay.
If youre preparing your bluefish with more of the citrus and spices in mind, a grassy Sauvignon Blanc will help to bring out the flavours in the seasoning.
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Best Wine To Pair With Haddock
Haddock, at least in England, is a very popular fish choice. Its light, flakey, and deliciously fresh. So, which wine pairs best with haddock? try it with a light and fresh white wine like a Pinot Grigio, or a Sauvignon Blanc. These wines are fresh enough to bite through the protein of the fish, delivering a delicious citrus bite to the meal.
Thanks to its properties haddock does not pair well at all with red wines, even the light-bodied reds run the risk of overpowering such a delicate fish.
Chardonnay Chenin Blanc Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
You can enjoy your chicken with either a red or white wine depending on your preference as well as how you prepared your chicken. If you prepared your chicken in a light, creamy sauce you’re going to want to go with a white wine such as a versatile Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, or Pinot Gris.You can also pair these white wines with chicken that is prepared with light seasoning or slightly spicy chicken dishes. If you are going to go with a spicy chicken dish or spicy asian chicken dish, we suggest pairing with a Riesling because of the great fruit-forward flavor.
For chicken that is prepared with a tomato or Pepper-based sauce, we recommend going with a red wine. A good Merlot would work great here but if you prefer a Cabernet Sauvignon we say go for it instead. Also if you’re roasting a chicken, you may look to pair it with a red wine such as a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. If you prefer a white wine however, we suggest pairing a roasted chicken with Chardonnay.
Chicken wine pairing is similar to seafood in the way that the perfect pairing really comes down to how the dish is prepared, how much and what seasoning to use, isfthe sauce a light, white sauce or if it is a red sauce, etc.
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Best Wine To Pair With Lobster
Lobster is often seen as the epitome of class for seafood lovers. Its decadent, its meaty, and its delicious. Because of the strong meaty textures in lobster, its better to pair it either with something that works with it congruently- like a Chardonnay or with something that will compliment the buttery flavor of the dish with its lovely aromatic notes- like a Riesling.
Of course, if youre in the mood for decadence, then a sparkling wine has the versatility to go with almost all food- particularly lobster. See if you can get one that is predominantly made with the Chardonnay grape for the best complimentary flavor profile.
Best Wine To Pair With Crab Legs
Choosing a wine to go with crab legs depends on how you plan on having the crab legs. A solid all-rounder is of course the Chardonnay, but if you want to try and get a little more out of your wine then go for something that offers a little more fruit.
If you are serving the crab legs with a lemon dressing, pair it with a Pinot Grigio to really bring out the citrus in both. However, if you plan on having the crabs legs warm then try a Riesling, which will bring out the natural sweetness in both the dish and the wine.
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Examples: Tuna Swordfish Mahi
Meaty is the keyword here. Densely textured and lean, think of these fish as you would pork chops or chicken breasts. Mediterranean flavors work well with these types of fish, as do sweet Asian saucesteriyaki, gochujang, hoisin, white miso, nuoc cham, peanut, sweet chiliand spicy Mexican salsas. Try them tossed into pastas, tucked into tacos, sliced atop hearty salads and piled on buns in place of burgers.
What Type Of Fish To Pair With White Wines
When it comes to pairing white wine with fish there are four groups of textures and flavors that you want to keep in mind. It is wise to think in terms of substance and weight when pairing. A delicate fish will go well with a lighter white wine and a heavy fish will pair better with a richer for full-bodied wine.
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Best Wine To Pair With Sea Bass
Sea bass may seem like it falls into the category of meaty fish alongside tuna and salmon, but its mild flavoring keeps it out of the club. The best kind of wine to pair it with is a lively white with lots of flavors like a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio. This will allow your palette to experience lots more flavors than it would with just the fish, and prevent the dish from falling flat.
The Ultimate White Wine And Fish Pairing Guide
There are some things in this world that are just born to pair together: bacon and eggs, Sonny and Cher, bell bottoms and Woodstock. White wine and fish pairings should really be on that list too. A fresh filet of tender fish and a bright, luscious white wine is a match made in heaven.
But with the wealth of wine and fish varieties, there are bound to be pairings that are better than others! If youre looking just for summer dishes, heres a guide to pairing all the classic summer dishes with the tastiest summer wines!
Want to start with a summery wine and then pair your fish? Heres a list of the best summer wines to get started.And a selection of classic springtime wine pairings too!
For a guide to red wine and meat, !
Not ready for an in-depth guide? Check out this beginners guide to finding which wines you like best!
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Why Choose Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir wines from different regions can be paired with salmon in almost any circumstance.
Theyre Versatile Most Pinot Noirs are quite versatile when it comes to food pairing, which is great news for those who have a hard time choosing which pinots they want on their menu.
Theyre Elegant Some Pinots are very elegant in taste as well, while others tend to fall more into the category of an easy-drinking wine with a good bit of fruit flavor and acidity. This makes them perfect for any meal, so its really up to you as far as what type of salmon youre going to be having, and how formal or informal youre planning on making your dinner party.
Tips To Smoke Food Like A Pitmaster
Food smoking is an art that has to be perfected with some skill. However, we are going to share some pit master tricks to help you make the perfect smoked steak to pair with the most suitable wine.
1. Pro food smoker: Choosing the right food smoker is the first step to ace the art of smoking. A pro-food smoker like Bradley Smoker will be self-sufficient to do its job without any babysitting. A pro smoker is designed to ensure you get the most hassle-free and delectable smoking experience even if you are a beginner.
2. Brine the meat: Brining is the process of marinating the meat in a highly concentrated solution of water, salt, and spices. This helps the meat or fish to absorb all the flavors and moisture before smoking. It enhances the flavor and tenderness of the meat.
3. Use clean smoke: Foul smoke coming out of burnt wood chips and ashes can contaminate the food making it taste bitter. It is important to replace the fuel before it turns to ash. This is where Bradley Bisquettes can save you from that tedious job. Bradley Bisquettes are flavored wood chips that automatically extinguish before turning to ashes. They enhance the taste and smell of the food and come in 17 different flavors like whiskey, hickory, maple, cherry, apple, etc.
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The 7 Best Wines To Pair With Fish Tacos
Everybody in the entire world loves a good, Baja-style fish taco. OK, everybody besides vegans, the tragically allergic and, of course, the inexplicably taco-averse. May they burn in hell. And sure, its late summer, but is it ever really too late in the year to think about fish tacos? Seriously, who wouldnt enjoy a refreshing swap of Thanksgiving turkey for a Thanksgiving taco platter? Come Christmastime, well mix the red and green cabbage for the taco slaw and sprinkle it like tinsel all over the place. Fish tacos are magical. They make everyone happy. Theyre the thing that bonded Red to the killers in Pineapple Express.
Seriously, we got taco rationalizations for days. Which is why we figured itd be good to round up some wine pairings to go with said rationalizations. Because while we love fish tacos with beer really the timeless pairing sometimes were in the mood for fish tacos while at the same time in the mood for wine.
Fortunately, pairing the two really isnt that hard, especially since your basic Baja-style fish taco is a symphony of flavor and texture prepared with a few simple ingredients. Theres firm white fish, maybe cod or mahi mahi, something that can stand up to grilling or frying. Add some seasoning, shredded cabbage, and the white liquid gold otherwise known as Mexican crema, and youre set. Even if youre not in cabana shorts, you will feel like youre in cabana shorts in your soul.
Best With Smoked Salmon: Lucien Albrecht Cremant D’alsace Brut Rose
Smoked salmon, capers onions, eggs, and cream cheese on a bagel, scream brunch to me. And that means sparkling wine, says Justin Trabue, assistant winemaker at Lumen Wines. The pronounced flavors in smoked salmon benefit from a pairing with a wine with a bold acidity. The Lucien Albrecht Cremant Brut Rosé is dry with mineral tones and a crisp acidity. Bursting with flavors and aromas of berries, the wine is an excellent conversation wine.
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Best Wine To Pair With Salmon
Salmon is arguably one of the most popular kinds of fish, especially served at a dinner party. How you serve it will depend on the type of wine you serve with your salmon. Its worth noting as well that salmon is one of the fish that boldly defy what is expected of other fish and pairs very well with a light-bodied red wine.
A pan or oven-cooked salmon pairs excellently with a chilled Pinot Noir. Alternatively, the perfect dry white wine for salmon is a Chardonnay. Smoked Salmon, however, thanks to its bold flavors goes better with a bottle of sparkling wine , or a bottle of sweet wine, like a Riesling.
The Cheat Sheet To Pairing Wines With Seafood
White wine isnt the only pairing for fish. Whether its white, red, orange or sparkling, check out our cheat sheet to pairing wines with seafood.
There’s a certain stigma associated with seafood, in that you can only ever pair it with a light white wine. While most pairings do tend to be white wines, they are by no means the only option.
Allow the following guide to act as an inspiration for your next seafood pairingwe’ll start with the lighter whites, before entering the sparkling realm and finish off with the types of fish that are just begging for a glass of red to sit beside them.
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Sugar Tickles The Taste Buds
This brings us to the wine, which also has a wide range of flavours: acidic or sweet, fruity or mineral, with aromas of herbs, flowers, fruit or vegetables. It often has a little bit of everything. If it has been stored for a long time in a small wooden barrel , it may also contain bitter tannins and have a scent of vanilla and wood or old cigar boxes. Some people like it, others dont.
The flavour of white wine is generally determined by its sweetness or acidity. Sugar brings out the flavours and appeals to our palate, while acidity provides vitality and freshness. A pinch of sugar or dash of lemon juice has the same effect on a sauce. A sweeter wine takes the edge off more bitter-tasting dishes, and an acidic wine tastes sharper when it accompanies sweeter flavours. So the wine has to be at least as sweet as the food. An acidic wine served with an acidic sauce just increases the bitterness, and high tannin content in the wine ruins the flavour of a dish, no matter how spicy it may be. The temperature of the wine also plays a role in how we perceive sweetness and acidity. A cool wine is refreshing and fruity, whereas a wine that is too warm seems dull and obtrusive.
