Salmon is so versatile that it can be baked, poached, grilled, smoked, or covered in a creamy dill sauce. With so many variations, you’ve probably found yourself wondering, what wine pairs with salmon?
The good news is, you’ve options: lots of options! From light red wines, to elegant white wines, and refreshing rosés, there’s no shortage of wines that pair with salmon. Whether you’re enjoying a perfectly prepared piece of salmon at a restaurant like Ad Hoc in Napa or you’re making it at home yourself, this guide has got you covered.
I should also note: if your salmon meal is part of a special occasion like an anniversary, consider taking a look at these romantic wines, too.
Guidelines for Pairing Wine with Salmon:
Before we get into the best wine to pair with salmon, here are some easy to follow guidelines to use when selecting a wine.
Smoked, Poached, Baked, or Grilled Salmon: Preparation Matters
The type of salmon you make – is it smoked, charred, baked, or poached and covered in a tangy or spicy sauce, can influence the wine pairing. Grilled salmon has a smokier, almost sweet profile – especially when it’s grilled on a cedar plank, while poached or steamed salmon is more delicate.
Match the Flavor Intensity
Food and wine pairings should always complement, not overpower your meal. Look for wines that balance the texture and flavors of the salmon.
Which Red Wines Pair with Salmon
Can you pair salmon with red wine? You sure can! Salmon is an oily fish with a rich flesh, which means it goes well with light red wines with moderate to high acidity and lower tannins.
Pinot Noir
No salmon wine pairing guide is complete without a Pinot Noir suggestion. Pinot Noir is a classic pairing that complements the richness of the salmon without overwhelming it. The red fruit notes and soft palate go well with all types of salmon recipes and preparations.
Gamay / Beaujolais
Serve Gamay wine with salmon for the easiest salmon wine pairing ever. The light fruitiness and juicy acidity of Gamay is delightful with most foods, including grilled and pan-seared salmon.
Any Glou Glou Wine
Glou Glou wines are light-bodied, easy-drinking wines that are meant to be enjoyed young and chilled. Their bright fruit flavors like cherry, raspberry, and cranberry are perfect for casual lunches, dinners and BBQs that include salmon. Cedar plank salmon with glou glou wine is a must try.
White Wines: Crisp, Elegant Option for Salmon
White wines and salmon are an effortless pairing. When it comes to deciding what wine pairs with salmon, you’ve got a ton of options. There are so many white wines that work with this popular fish – from light to medium-bodied bottles.
Sauvignon Blanc
For herbed or citrusy salmon dishes, the crisp zestiness of a Sauvignon Blanc can act as a palate cleanser, enhancing the fish’s natural flavors. Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice with salmon salads.
Riesling
A dry or off-dry Riesling paired with richer salmon dishes like Salmon Teriyaki is hard to resist. The pine and petroly characteristics and acidity, also go well with spicy glazes or Asian-inspired preparations made with ingredients like ginger, honey, or maple.
Falanghina
Falanghina is a light to medium-bodied acidic white wine and it goes well with all kinds of seafood – including salmon. This food-friendly wine is also budget-friendly. You can find bottles of Falanghina for between $15 to $20.
Vermentino
Vermentino is a superb pairing for salmon because all of that crisp acidity cuts through the fish’s richness, and its citrus and herbal notes complement poached, baked, and grilled salmon. You can also serve Vermentino with dishes like salmon tacos.
Ribolla Gialla
Ribolla Gialla is a dreamy Italian white wine with a gorgeous texture and acidity that encourages sipping. With notes of stone fruit, citrus, and floral whispers, serving this wine with salmon will make your mouth water. One of my favorite bottles is Schiopetto Ribolla Gialla, which is available for around $20.
Sparkling Wine & Champagne
If you’re serving salmon starters or appetizers like salmon tartar, sushi, salmon roe (aka caviar), or other small bites, pair these with champagne or sparkling wine.
Ramato & Rosé Wines: Pink Wine Paradise
I don’t want to say that there’s a best wine to pair with salmon, but rosé and ramato style Pinot Grigio is pretty high up on the list – especially if you’re enjoying this match on a warm day.
Ramato Wines
I’m obsessed with these wines. The flavor profile on these wines fall somewhere between light rose and skin-contact (orange) wines. Their acidity, combined with notes of dried fruit, spice, and herbs is so good with foods like salmon.
Rosé
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.
Tips
To ensure that your salmon wine pairing is as successful as it can be, remember to:
- Consider the occasion: A casual meal might call for a different type of wine than a formal dinner. For example, if you’re making a meal for an anniversary dinner, pair salmon with a romantic wine, by romantic wine, I mean a special bottle like a nice Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast, or a white Burgundy.
- Experiment and have fun!: Everyone’s personal tastes differ, so don’t be afraid to try pairing your salmon with one of your favorite bottles – even if it’s not on this list. Sometimes, the best food pairings are found through trial and error.
- Serving temperature: Whichever wine you pair with salmon, make sure the bottle is at the proper serving temperature. This is especially true if you purchase the wine the day you intend to drink it.
Recommended Bottles to Try
- Natural wines from Napa and Sonoma like the Tank Garage or Pax Wines Trousseau Gris. Benevolent Neglect’s Counoise Rosato is also a great bottle.
- Falanghina from Arnot Roberts or Matthiasson Falanghina
- Pinot Noir from Anthill Farms, Red Car, Hanzell
- California Riesling from Cobb, Stirm, or Bedrock Vineyards
- Vermentino from Tendu, Jupiter Wine, Forlorn Hope
- Gamay from Gros Ventre, Jolie-Laide, Stolpman GDG
FAQs
What wine pairs with smoked salmon?
Isn’t it a great coincidence that smoked salmon, which is always on offer at brunch, also pairs with sparkling wine and champagne?! Bottomless mimosas, anyone?
Is salmon good with red or white wine?
Salmon can be paired with both red and white wines – and rose wines! A good tip to follow is to select a light to medium bodied wine with low tannins and medium to high acidity. Dry wines are better with salmon than sweet wines.