Finding the Perfect Wine Pairing for Baked Salmon

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Salmon is one of my favorite proteins to cook and eat. There’s something about its rich, fatty texture that is so satisfying. While salmon tastes delicious on its own, pairing it with the right wine can really bring the flavor to the next level. But with so many different wine options out there, how do you know what kind of wine goes best with baked salmon?

This article will talk about the tastes and textures of baked salmon and suggest wine styles and specific bottles that go well with it. If you want to make your weeknight dinner more interesting or plan a special meal, keep reading to find the best wines to go with baked salmon.

Why Salmon and Wine Work So Well Together

There are a few reasons why salmon and wine pair so seamlessly:

  • Fatty texture: Salmon is an oily, fatty fish, which means it can stand up to wines with higher alcohol contents and fuller body. The wine won’t overpower the salmon.

  • Umami richness: Salmon has a lot of savory umami flavors, which wines that have been aged in oak do a great job of bringing out.

  • Subtle flavors Wild salmon has delicate flavors that let the nuances of a complex wine shine, Farmed salmon is milder and benefits from wine with fruity notes

  • Versatile ingredient: Simple baked salmon absorbs flavors easily, working with light whites or fuller reds. Sauces and preparation change the pairing.

Overall the supple fatty texture umami richness, and subtle to mild flavors of salmon make it very flexible when it comes to wine pairing.

General Tips for Pairing Wine with Baked Salmon

Keep these general guidelines in mind when choosing a wine for baked salmon:

  • Lighter styles: Leaner wild or grilled salmon works best with lighter bodied whites like Pinot Grigio.

  • Fuller styles: Fattier farmed or baked salmon can handle fuller whites like oaked Chardonnay or light reds like Pinot Noir.

  • Consider sauces: Creamy sauces paired with salmon do well with buttery Chardonnay or sparkling wines. For citrusy sauces, opt for a tangy white like Sauvignon Blanc.

  • Don’t overpower: Avoid big, tannic reds that will overshadow the delicate salmon flavors. Stick to lighter reds.

  • Acid is key: Prioritize acidity in your wine pairing to cut through the salmon’s richness.

Now let’s get into specific wine recommendations!

Best White Wines for Baked Salmon

Here are some excellent white wine options to serve with baked salmon:

Full-Bodied Oaked Chardonnay

  • Why it works: Buttery oak notes mirror the rich texture of the salmon. Acidity cuts through fat.

  • Specific bottles: Meiomi Chardonnay, Flowers Chardonnay

Unoaked Chardonnay

  • Why it works: Light body won’t overwhelm the salmon but still has enough richness. Bright acidity.

  • Specific bottles: Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay, La Crema Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

  • Why it works: Zippy acidity contrasts the buttery salmon. Citrus flavors complement any lemon garnishes.

  • Specific bottles: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc

Spanish White Blends

  • Why it works: Textural heft works with the salmon’s fattiness, but not too overwhelming. Fresh acidity.

  • Specific bottles: Martin Codax Albariño, Marqués de Riscal Rueda

Italian White Wines

  • Why it works: Light body pairs well without overpowering. Bright acidity cuts through salmon’s richness.

  • Specific bottles: Pinot Grigio, Gavi, Arneis

Best Red Wines for Baked Salmon

While fuller-bodied reds might not seem like an obvious pairing for delicately flavored salmon, the right light and medium-bodied red wines can work beautifully with baked salmon. Here are some red wines to try:

Pinot Noir

  • Why it works: Earthy, delicate flavors won’t compete with the salmon. Silky tannins complement the texture.

  • Specific bottles: Meiomi Pinot Noir, Mark West Pinot Noir

Beaujolais

  • Why it works: Light body, low tannins, and fruity flavors let the salmon shine. Ethereal and elegant pairing.

  • Specific bottles: Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages, Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais

Grenache

  • Why it works: Medium body stands up to the salmon without overwhelming. Fresh red fruit flavors.

  • Specific bottles: Locations by Dave Phinney Grenache, Tablas Creek Grenache

Rosé

  • Why it works: Crisp, fruity rosés have enough body for the salmon but won’t clash flavors. Bright acidity.

  • Specific bottles: Fleurs de Prairie Rosé, Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel

Best Sparkling Wines for Baked Salmon

The brightness and bubbles of sparkling wines go so well with rich salmon. Here are some sparklers to try:

  • Champagne: Delicate bubbles cut through the salmon’s fattiness.

  • Blanc de Blancs: All Chardonnay grapes match the buttery richness of salmon.

  • Rosé sparkling wines: The berry flavors contrast the savory umami of the salmon.

  • Cremant: Affordable sparkling option that has fresh apples and lemon flavors.

Specific bottles: Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Gruet Brut Rosé, Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Rosé

Best Wine and Sauce Pairings for Baked Salmon

If your baked salmon recipe includes a sauce, keep these tips in mind:

  • Creamy sauces: Complement rich cream or cheese-based sauces with oaked Chardonnay or even a light red like Pinot Noir. Avoid high-acid wines.

  • Citrus-based sauces: The acidity needs a matching acidic wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño. Bubbles also work well.

  • Pesto or herb sauces: Herbaceous green flavors pair nicely with a fresh, unoaked white like Vinho Verde or a light Rosado.

The sauce really impacts the food-wine pairing for baked salmon, so choose a wine that matches or contrasts the sauce flavors.

Complement Your Meal

Picking the right wine is an important part of the salmon pairing, but don’t forget about the side dishes!

  • Starchy carbs like roasted potatoes, rice, or bread help soak up the wine and contrast the rich salmon.

  • Bright acidic sides like salads or salsas cut through the oily texture.

  • Simply roasted, sautéed, or grilled veggies add nice color and freshness.

By considering the entire meal you’ve created, you can hone in on a wine that works in harmony with all the components for a perfectly balanced dinner.

Time to Find Your Match!

Now that you know what to look for in a wine pairing for baked salmon, it’s time to find the match made in heaven for your meal! Taste different bottles and see which option brings out the very best in the salmon. Not every wine may work with every preparation, so enjoy the process of discovering your perfect pairing.

Remember to consider the salmon’s flavor intensity, any sauces or sides, and the weight, acidity, aromas and flavors of the wine. With so many wonderful wines to try out, I hope you’ll have fun experimenting to find that magical combination that really “wow” your tastebuds. Happy salmon and wine pairing!

what kind of wine goes with baked salmon

Wine with salmon: What the experts say

Salmon can be used in a lot of different ways, so it will depend on what kind of salmon you bought and how you prepare it.

“The wine pairing depends a lot on how the salmon is cooked and the side dishes that go with it,” Jolanta Dinnadge told Decanter in 2019 as head sommelier at Corrigan’s Mayfair.

Styles to look for when pairing wine with salmon:

Style of salmon

Wine style

Seared salmon

Chilled Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Smoked salmon

Blanc de blancs Champagne, English sparkling wine, Riesling, manzanilla Sherry

Herbs and citrus

Sauvignon Blanc

Sweet spice (ginger) or Miso

Pinot Gris, Riesling

Sushi

Sauvignon Blanc, especially Sancerre

Best Wines with Salmon | Pairing wine and salmon made easy!

FAQ

What wine pairs well with baked salmon?

Choose between oak-aged Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blanc (warm climate type), Semillon, or oak-aged Vermentino. These are all perfect pairings and can really help you get the most out of your salmon dinner.

Do you drink white or red wine with salmon?

As a general rule, full-bodied white wines and salmon go together wonderfully. However, salmon can also be paired with rosé as well as light-bodied, low-tannin red wines.

What do you drink with roasted salmon?

Like for most fish, cooked salmon is enhanced by dry yet aromatic wines. You should therefore choose a white wine such as a Riesling. With this pairing, mineral notes mingling with aromas of fruit emphasize to perfection the delicacy of a salmon steak baked in a parcel or simply pan-fried.

Does cabernet sauvignon pair well with salmon?

However, salmon is an exception. If you’re a red wine lover, the only thing you should keep in mind is not to pair a full-bodied wine with high tannin levels (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Barolo) with your salmon dinner. That’s because such intense wines can easily overpower the subtle salmon flavors.

What wine goes well with salmon?

Domestic pinot gris, like those from Oregon, go particularly well with salmon (both come from the Pacific Northwest, after all). Consider sipping pinot gris with something like this zippy sweet mustard salmon. Italian pinot grigio goes well with poached salmon and other lighter, citrusy preparations. Can’t settle on a white wine you love?

Is smoked salmon good for you?

Salmon is a source of high-quality protein, magnesium, and selenium. In addition, it provides healthy fatty acids for the body. It contains large amounts of omega 3, which prevents cardiovascular diseases, has anti-inflammatory properties, and prevents certain types of Cancer.

What Chardonnay goes with baked salmon?

The Raeburn Chardonnay has a classic California buttery chardonnay profile and an inviting citrus and apple nose. The well-balanced acidity, hints of tropical fruits, and a luxurious finish create a well-rounded taste that aligns with the rich salmon. “ One of my favorite go-to pairings with baked salmon is a Cru Beaujolais.

Does rosé wine go with salmon?

Rosé wine is outstanding with salmon in all its preparations. Whether it’s smoked, grilled, baked or braised in a marinade, salmon makes an ideal partner for a glass of rosé. Think: a simple grilled salmon fillet or salmon burgers.

How do you choose a white wine for salmon?

When choosing a white wine for salmon, aim for one that has enough body to stand up to the fish; a creamy Chardonnay, for example, will complement the fish’s supple texture and a buttery sauce. (Lucy Schaeffer) We like culinary rules because they guide us and help preserve order. But every rule comes with valid exceptions.

What wine goes well with salmon terrine?

Cold poached salmon with mayonnaise or a salmon terrine Chablis is an incredibly reliable pairing for this kind of dish but other crisp dry whites like Pinot Grigio, Albarino, Sancerre or a crisp Chenin Blanc will match well too. Warm salmon with a hollandaise or beurre blanc sauce

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  3. What’s the Difference Between Sockeye and Atlantic Salmon? A Thorough Comparison
  4. What Goes With Blackened Salmon? 7 Delectable Side Dishes to Pair

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