Salmon is one of the most beloved and versatile fish. It can handle a lot of different cooking methods and flavor profiles because it is rich and fatty. There is a wine that goes well with every type of fish, from a simple skillet-seared fillet to a complex teriyaki-glazed salmon. But does the popular red grape Pinot Noir make the cut?.
Pinot Noir is often touted as the perfect wine match for salmon Its light body, bright acidity and red fruit flavors do complement the fish beautifully However, depending on how you cook your salmon, other red grapes like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon may be better options.
In this guide, we’ll explore ideal wine pairings for different salmon dishes when Pinot Noir is the best bet and when it’s wise to branch out.
Pinot Noir: The Classic Pairing for Salmon
Pinot Noir is one of the most food-friendly red grapes. Its medium body and low tannins create an ideal canvas for showcasing salmon’s richness. As wine writer Wanda Mann explains, “I don’t want a wine that will overpower those flavors, but Pinot Noir’s fruit-forward and juicy profile with bright acidity will keep your palate refreshed between bites.”
Pinot Noir tastes like raspberries, cherries, and cranberries, which are red fruits. The subtle sweetness of salmon goes well with Pinot Noir. This flavor symmetry is the hallmark of a perfect pairing. The bright acidity of the grape cuts through the oiliness of the fish, making each bite taste fresh and full of life.
When cooking salmon simply – pan seared, roasted or poached – Pinot Noir is always an excellent choice. For these preparations, sommelier Joyce Lin recommends Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s Central Otago region. The long sunny days and cool nights produce wines with beautifully concentrated fruit and a mineral edge.
You can also serve salmon with a lot of sauce with Pinot Noir, as long as the sauce isn’t too spicy. The crisp taste of the wine brings out the best in lemon, dill, capers, and other classic salmon sides. A red Burgundy Pinot Noir that has been aged has the depth to go with heartier dishes that are finished with hollandaise or béarnaise sauce.
Beyond Pinot Noir: More Red Wine Options for Salmon
While Pinot Noir may be the traditional pick, it’s not the only red wine that pairs deliciously with salmon. Finding the right match depends greatly on how the fish is prepared.
For blackened salmon with a spicy Cajun-inspired crust, Pinot Noir may get overwhelmed. Sommelier Marika Vida recommends swapping it out for Zinfandel. “The brambly, spicy fruit of the Zin matches the bold flavors of blackened salmon,” she says. Fuller-bodied California Zinfandels have the structure to stand up to the heat.
Italy’s Primitivo, which shares a genetic connection with Zinfandel, is another excellent option here. Primitivo’s jammy dark fruit provides sweet contrast to blackening spices like cayenne and black pepper.
With smoked salmon, Pinot Noir’s subtlety fades into the background. To complement the fish’s intense smoky-salty flavors, try a bolder red like Syrah, Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon. Their darker fruit flavors and sturdy tannins make these grapes ideal counterparts to assertive preparations.
For salmon burgers or salmon cakes, Pinot Noir may seem too light. The char from grilling or pan-frying calls for a heartier red. Merlot is a great choice, especially if the salmon is topped with tomato, basil or other Italian flavors. Merlot’s plum and black cherry notes align beautifully with charred, meaty salmon. Cabernet Sauvignon can also work with richer, fattier salmon burgers or cakes.
Teriyaki salmon presents another scenario where Pinot Noir falls short. Teriyaki’s sweet-savory glaze needs a bolder wine that won’t get drowned out. Wine writer Marika Mann suggests barrel-aged Torrontés from Argentina. Torrontés has fruity depth along with a hint of spice that complements teriyaki’s ginger and garlic notes.
While Pinot Noir may be the traditional salmon wine, it’s not the only option. Keeping the salmon preparation in mind when selecting a pairing wine opens up more delicious possibilities at the table.
Key Tips for Pairing Wine with Salmon
-
For simple preparations, Pinot Noir is hard to beat. Look for wines from Oregon, California and New Zealand.
-
With blackened or Cajun-spiced salmon, try bolder reds like Zinfandel, Primitivo or Malbec.
-
Smoked salmon calls for fuller-bodied reds like Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon or Bordeaux blends.
-
For salmon burgers and cakes, Merlot and Cabernet complement the char.
-
With teriyaki or other glazed salmon, reach for Torrontés or Viognier.
-
Grilled salmon pairs beautifully with oaky whites like California Chardonnay and white Rioja.
-
For poached or olive oil-poached salmon, try a crisp white like Pinot Grigio.
-
Raw preparations like salmon tartare or crudo work with bright, minerally whites like Albariño.
No matter how you choose to prepare your salmon, keeping these pairings in mind will ensure you have a bottle on hand that brings out the delicious richness of this versatile fish. While Pinot Noir may be the traditional choice, be open to experimenting with bolder reds and crisp whites. With salmon, the possibilities for perfect pairings are truly endless.
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).
Why Does Pinot Noir go with Salmon so Well?
FAQ
What fish goes with Pinot Noir?
What Pinot is best for salmon?
What not to pair with Pinot Noir?
Does red wine go with salmon?
Yes, red wine can pair with salmon, particularly lighter and more delicate reds like Pinot Noir. The key is to choose a red wine that won’t overpower the salmon’s flavor.
Is Pinot noir good for grilled salmon?
In Oregon, the pinot noir is world-class, and grilled Pacific salmon is a wine-country specialty. Why? Pinot noir is naturally low in tannins (the compounds that make your mouth pucker). Because tannins interact with fish to create an off-putting metallic flavour, heavy red wines (like cabernets) are the enemy, but low-tannin pinot noir works.
Can you eat salmon with wine?
A thoughtful pairing of food with wine creates a magical dining experience. The possibilities of creating that extraordinary experience with salmon and wine are many because salmon lends itself well to many cooking techniques and global flavors. But with countless choices, how do we go about picking the perfect wine for salmon?
Is Pinot Noir Good with white wine?
Pinot Noir is light and bright, with delicate tannins and a punching acidity. Pinot is a highly versatile wine that pairs beautifully with many dishes if you play your cards right. Pinot Noir’s high acidity and low tannins make it a good swap for dishes you’d otherwise consider pairing with white wine.