In my house, salmon is a staple. We love how easy it is to make something special, like a chicken dinner on a sheet pan with root vegetables or a tomato and basil sauté in the summer. It’s also full of high-quality protein and good-for-us omega-3 fatty acids.
According to Joyce Lin, a certified sommelier and wine writer from New York City, salmon is a great food to pair with wine because its flesh is rich and juicy, and its natural flavors range from mild and buttery to strong and smoky. It also has a slightly oily texture. “There is a wine that goes well with every taste, from light and crisp whites to light and medium-bodied reds.” ”.
Bambi Ray, head of sales, education, and private collections at New York Vintners, asks himself a few questions before choosing a bottle to go with salmon because it can have a lot of different tastes. “What is the sauce? What are accoutrements?” she asks. Salmon can be a chameleon, and each variation requires its own unique wine.
Here are the pairings for seven go-to salmon offerings. Take the following advice, and you’ll make these dishes even more delicious.
Salmon is a tasty fish that can be cooked in a huge number of different ways. Its rich, fatty texture makes it a perfect pairing for wine. The important thing is to pick a wine that goes well with the way the dish is made and any other ingredients that are used. With so many options, it can be tricky to select that perfect bottle. Here is a list of the best wines to go with salmon to make your meal complete.
An Overview of Salmon’s Flavor Profile
Salmon has a rich smooth and oily texture that is slightly salty. The flesh ranges in color from deep orange to pale pink depending on the variety and its diet. In terms of flavor wild salmon generally has a more pronounced taste compared to farmed salmon.
Some of the common flavor descriptors for salmon include:
- Rich and fatty
- Smooth and silky
- Umami
- Earthy or mineral notes
- Subtle sweetness
The fish’s silky texture and savory flavor profile means it can stand up to light-bodied red wines as well as full-bodied whites. The key is to avoid overpowering the delicate flavors of the salmon.
Best Wine Pairings for Popular Salmon Dishes
Here are some excellent wine choices to complement different preparations of salmon:
Grilled Salmon
A light pinot noir is an elegant pairing with grilled salmon The bright acidity and fruity flavors of the wine contrast nicely with the charred smokiness of the fish Good options include pinot noir from Oregon, California or New Zealand. Beaujolais is another excellent choice.
Salmon with Lemon and Herbs
Blanc de blanc goes well with salmon that has been squeezed with lemon juice and fresh herbs like dill. There are crisp, grassy notes in the wine that go well with the herbs’ and citrus’s brightness. Sauvignon blanc from New Zealand or France’s Loire Valley are great options.
Cedar Plank Salmon
Smoky cedar-planked salmon calls for a rich oaked chardonnay. The creamy texture and subtle toastiness are perfect with the wood-roasted fish. Look for a chardonnay from California or Washington state.
Salmon with Beurre Blanc Sauce
Salmon served with the classic French beurre blanc sauce made with butter and white wine likes a bold white Burgundy. The richness of the chardonnay balances the decadence of the sauce. Puligny-Montrachet is an excellent option.
Poached Salmon
For poached or steamed salmon, try a dry rosé wine. The touch of sweetness and crisp, refreshing quality of the rosé pairs nicely with the delicate poached fish. Look for rosé from Provence, Southern Italy or California.
Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon has a wonderful affinity for syrah. The soft tannins, peppery spice and touch of smoke in the wine complement the smoky fish. Cool climate syrah from Washington state or the Rhône Valley in France are great choices.
Seared Salmon with Soy Glaze
Salmon with an umami-rich soy glaze works well with aromatic gewürztraminer. The stone fruit flavors and hint of sweetness in the wine offsets the saltiness of the soy sauce glaze. Alsatian gewürztraminer is an excellent match.
Baked Salmon with Nuts
For salmon encrusted with nuts or breadcrumbs, try a creamy viognier. The rich stone fruit flavors and silky texture complement the crunchy exterior of the fish. Viognier from Condrieu in the Rhône or California make a tasty pairing.
General Tips for Pairing Wine with Salmon
Beyond the preparation, here are some additional tips for selecting a wine that flatters salmon:
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Leaner fish: Pair with lighter reds like pinot noir or lighter whites like vinho verde.
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Fattier salmon: Richer wines like chardonnay or syrah work well.
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Stronger marinades/sauces: Pick bolder, fruit-forward wines that can handle assertive flavors.
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Citrus/herbs: Go for crisp, acidic whites like sauvignon blanc or albariño.
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Butter/cream: Full-bodied chardonnay or viognier complement the richness.
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Smoked salmon: Choose smoky reds like syrah or whites with texture like Marsanne.
No matter if your salmon is poached, grilled or smoked, you’re sure to find the perfect wine match from this guide. Experiment with different styles to determine your favorite combinations. With a glass of wine that complements the salmon, you’ll have a complete and delicious meal.
The Best Wine for Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon: Chardonnay from Napa Valley
“Grilling salmon on a cedar plank adds a subtle smokiness that enhances its flavor and complexity,” says Lin. “This dish would go well with a Chardonnay that has been aged in oak and has high acidity, like a Napa Valley Chardonnay.” “There’s beautiful balance between the toasty and nutty tastes that oak barrels give the wine and the smokiness of the cedar plank salmon,” she says.
This classic, proven style of toasty but balanced Chardonnay will be perfect for a dinner party. It’s dry, tastes good, and has just the right amount of fat to go with grilled fish, chicken, or even steak. Savoring on its own brings out a creamy, layered palate of poached pears and vanilla bean. 94 Points — J. G.
The Best Wine for Salmon Cakes: Rosé Cava
“Growing up in a family with Southern roots, we called fried salmon cakes ‘croquettes,’” says Mann. “In general, fried foods make me want sparkling wines, so I would serve salmon croquettes with a bottle of rosé Cava.” Mann says that the juicy fruit in this category brings out the sweetness of the salmon, and that the lively bubbles and acidity won’t overpower your palate. Instead, they work like delicate scrubbing bubbles to keep your palate refreshed. ”.
This wine is ballet slipper pink and has a soft fizz. It smells like pink grapefruit, roasted yellow pepper, and slivered almonds. Flavors of tangerine, bergamot and honeysuckle are accompanied by toasted nut and vanilla notes and vibrant acidity. Best Buy. 90 Points — Mike DeSimone.
Best Wines with Salmon | Pairing wine and salmon made easy!
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