Salmon is a very popular fish that can be cooked and eaten in many different ways. There are many ways to cook it, such as grilling, baking, poaching, smoking, and more, that work well with its rich, fatty texture. Such a versatile ingredient deserves an equally versatile wine pairing. While white wines are often recommended for salmon, red wines shouldn’t be overlooked. If you choose the right red wine, salmon and red can go well together.
In this article, we’ll explore how and when red wine can work well with different preparations of salmon. We’ll also offer specific red wine variety and region recommendations to try with your next salmon dish. Whether you’re cooking wild-caught Pacific salmon or picking up farm-raised Atlantic at the grocery store, read on for a guide to enjoying red wine with salmon.
Factors to Consider When Pairing Reds with Salmon
A lot of things go into choosing the type, style, and region of red wine that goes best with salmon. Consider the following:
Preparation Method
How the salmon is prepared makes a big difference in what red will taste best alongside it. Richer, fattier preparations like grilled or smoked salmon can handle bolder more full-bodied reds. Meanwhile, more delicate cooking methods like poaching call for lighter reds.
Sauce or Seasonings
Any extra sauces or seasonings used to make the salmon taste better will also change the best wine to pair with it. Fruity or bright sauces go better with light reds, while bold, creamy sauces go better with fuller reds. Spicy seasonings call for fruity, low-tannin reds.
Your Personal Taste
While there are classic pairings, don’t be afraid to experiment with different reds until you discover what you enjoy most. Taste is personal, so find red wines that you find delicious with salmon.
Full-Bodied Red Wines
Richer, fattier salmon preparations can typically handle fuller-bodied red wines with higher tannins. Some top full-bodied red varieties to try are:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Whether grilled or seared, the bold blackcurrant flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon stand up well to salmon’s richness. Opt for Cabernets from cooler regions like Bordeaux, Coonawarra, or Napa for more freshness.
Malbec
Another big, fruity red, Malbec offers ripe plum and dark cherry flavors to complement the salmon. Great options come from Mendoza, Argentina or from the Cahors region of France.
Shiraz/Syrah
With its peppery spice and blackberry jam notes, Shiraz/Syrah balances salmon’s fattiness. Barossa Valley, Australia or Rhône, France offer particularly delicious examples.
Zinfandel
California Zinfandels brimming with ripe blackberry and black pepper are a tried-and-true pairing with grilled salmon. Seek out wines from Sonoma, Lodi, or Paso Robles.
Medium-Bodied Red Wines
When the salmon preparation calls for a lighter red, these medium-bodied wines make great middle ground options:
Pinot Noir
The classic red wine match for salmon, Pinot Noir’s flavors of red cherry, earth, and spice complement without overpowering. Fine choices come from Burgundy, Oregon, and California.
Grenache
Soft and fruity yet dry, Grenache from Spain and the Southern Rhône balance salmon flavors nicely. Grenache Rosé can also pair deliciously.
Sangiovese
Earthy red fruits and savory herbal notes in Sangiovese, the main grape of Chianti, taste delicious with grilled or baked salmon. Tuscan Sangiovese is a classic choice.
Light-Bodied Red Wines
For poached, smoked, or mildly seasoned salmon, opt for low-tannin light reds like:
Pinotage
Pinotage from South Africa offers easy drinking red fruit flavors that let the salmon shine.
Gamay
Fresh, juicy Gamay is perfect with delicate salmon, especially when prepared as Beaujolais from the grape’s home in France.
Valpolicella
The bright cherry notes of this Italian blend keeps things light alongside poached or smoked salmon.
Best Red Wine Regions for Salmon
While wine regions all around the world produce red wines that can work with salmon, certain regions are particularly known for reds that pair seamlessly. Great red wine regions to look for when buying a bottle to enjoy with salmon include:
- Oregon – Oregon Pinot Noir
- Burgundy, France – Burgundy Pinot Noir
- Rhône, France – Northern Rhône Syrah, Southern Rhône Grenache
- Tuscany, Italy – Chianti or Tuscan Sangiovese
- Piedmont, Italy – Light Barbera
- Rioja, Spain – Tempranillo
- Mendoza, Argentina – Malbec
- Napa/Sonoma, California – Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel
Pairing Red Wine and Salmon in Meals
Beyond the main salmon dish and red wine pairing, also consider the rest of your meal. Side dishes, appetizers, and desserts should be chosen with the red wine in mind. Some delicious red wine-friendly foods to serve alongside salmon include:
- Roasted, herbed baby potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes
- Sauteed or roasted vegetables like asparagus, onions, mushrooms, or tomatoes
- A fresh garden salad with vinaigrette dressing
- Crusty bread or rolls
- Risotto, polenta, or pasta with red sauce
- Rosé sorbet or fresh berries with whipped cream for dessert
Experimenting Beyond the “Rules”
The most important tip for salmon and red wine pairings is to taste different varietals and styles served with the preparation of salmon you made. You may be surprised at what you enjoy together. Trust your palate over rigid rules. While light reds are recommended for delicately cooked salmon and full-bodied reds for bolder preparations, the most important thing is drinking what tastes great to you. Don’t be afraid to think outside the typical wine pairing recommendations and discover new favorite combinations. With an array of red wine options now available, the possibilities for pairing reds with salmon are endless.
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Pairing Wine with Salmon
Plain slow-roasted Salmon ends up being quite soft and delicate. The more steak-like version can be a bit more mealy and flaky, but for the most part, when appropriately prepared, expect the grain to be softer and somewhat mushy. Here is a good example of how to prepare Salmon.
If you want to spice up a plain salmon dish, pair it with a white wine that has been aged in oak or over time. Look for a white wine that has strong notes of Meyer lemon, nuts, or brûlée. If you want something a little more complex, try a Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast or Central Coast in California, a Viognier from Paso Robles, an aged white Rioja from Spain, a Trebbiano/Chardonnay from Sicily that has been aged in oak, or an Australian Chardonnay from Victoria (maybe Mornington Peninsula) or the Hunter Valley. These wines will align in richness and combine with the Salmon and create a fuller overall taste.
A Vermentino from Sardegna, a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, or a Chardonnay (Mâconnais) from Burgundy are all great options if you want a more delicate pairing with hints of green herbs. These wines will contrast the richness of the Salmon and act more as a palate cleanser.
Congruent wine pairings
- Chardonnay that has been aged in oak (try one from California, Washington, Argentina, Chile, or Australia).
- Viognier
- Sémillon (a richer style, perhaps from Australia)
- Trebbiano/Chardonnay blend from Italy (particularly Sicily)
- Falanghina from Italy
- Fine White Burgundy or oak-aged Chardonnay from the Jura
Complementary wine pairings
- Mâconnais from Burgundy (a lighter more floral style of Chardonnay)
- Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, New Zealand, Chile, or Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia
- Vermentino from Sardegna, Italy
- Gros Manseng and other white wines from South-West France
Some red wines can pair with rich, steak-like fish such as Salmon. Here’s the trick: find a low-tannin red wine to keep the pairing from tasting metallic. Some examples of this are the Valpolicella blend, which is mostly made up of the Corvina grape, Gamay (also known as Beaujolais in France), Prieto Picudo (from Spain), and Lambrusco (an Italian sparkling red wine).
What Wine Pairs with Salmon? | Wine Pairing Made Easy | How to Pair Wine for Beginners
FAQ
Do you eat salmon with red or white wine?
Is it OK to drink red wine with fish?
What wine does not go with salmon?
Does red wine go with salmon?
If you’ve ever wondered if you can pair red wine with salmon, the answer is a resounding yes! Although people usually serve salmon with white wine, there are red wines that go just as well with one of the world’s most popular fish.
Does red wine help with sleep?
Yes, not just wine, but alcoholic beverages in general. This is due to the fact that alcohol can bind to the GABA receptor, which is responsible for inhibiting the central nervous system, as well as tranquilizer drugs.
How do you pair rosé wine with salmon?
Rosé makes your salmon wine pairing easy-breezy. If you choose rosé, go with a dry rosé that’s refreshing, light, and acidic. Try rosé wines with herby, lemon salmon recipes or salmon burgers. To ensure that your salmon wine pairing is as successful as it can be, remember to:
What wine goes with salmon with cream sauce?
If you’re serving your salmon with butter or richer cream sauce, like this salmon with dill butter, opt for a richer white wine like a lightly oaked chardonnay. Other wine pairing options for salmon with a cream sauce include a marsanne-roussanne blend from the Rhone or a white Rioja.