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What Wines To Pair with Salmon

Salmon on the menu? There’s good reason why partnering your fish dish with a delicious bottle of wine makes for the ideal pairing—but you might wonder what wine goes with salmon, whether you absolutely have to stick to white, and if red wine and salmon is a possible pairing.

Although there are some rules about which wines pair with salmon, there are so many wines—including reds— you can pair with salmon that you could never get bored!

Salmon is a meaty, versatile fish, capable of showcasing its distinct flavors and acting as a match for delicious sticky glazes and creamy sauces. It’s even spice-friendly, making it a staple choice in Asian cooking. Whether Japanese cuisine is your choice or Chinese or Thai, salmon is a great staple.

Because of its versatility, wines of all styles and characteristics can be paired with it, giving you endless possibilities.

So, what are the wine pairing with salmon essentials you need to know?

White Wine Pairings with Salmon

White wine and fish are a match made in culinary heaven.

While pairing a delicate fish such as salmon with a lighter white wine is often the default go-to, instead try the opposite approach and opt for a fuller-bodied white wine. Thanks to salmon being a rich, oily fish, it needs a white wine pairing that won’t overpower the salmon’s flavor and will bring a crisp freshness to the pairing.

Popular choices for a full-bodied white wine and salmon pairing include Chardonnay (we love RedHeads Harmonie Rox Chardonnay), Chenin Blanc Viognier, Marsanne, and white Rhône blends.

Shop our selection of delicious white wines to pair with your next salmon dish.

Red Wine Pairings with Salmon

Red wine and fish—yep, we’re going there.

There is a common misconception that red wines don’t pair with fish—but that’s not totally true.

Many big flavored, full-bodied red wines are off the table—think wines such as Shiraz and Cabernet Franc—since they’ll mask the delicate flavors of the fish and can taste almost metallic when paired with salmon. However, light-bodied red wines with fewer tannins can deliver delicious tastes that will leave you with a satisfying combination.

The type of red wine you reach for depends on how you prepare your salmon and what sides you’re serving up. Lighter red wines to explore with salmon include Gamay (especially those from the Beaujolais region of France) and Pinot Noir—we love Bottle Poetry Pinot Noir 2021, which offers delicious notes of raspberry and violet, with savory nuances. Even reds with a bit more heft, like Zinfandel or Grenache, can pair well with salmon prepared with bold spices and rich sauces.

Browse our choice of lighter red wines to tantalize your taste buds.

Rosé Wine Pairings with Salmon

Rosé wine is fun, light, and refreshing—perfect for a mid-week treat or special occasion. It’s also a tasty match with salmon.

Not only do they suit each other in color, but a dry rosé wine could be considered the best option thanks to its balance of fruity flavors and medium acidity, neither of which will overpower the star of the dish.

Classic rosés made from Grenache blends (like those from Provence), Tempranillo rosés from Rioja, Sangiovese pinks from Tuscany, or even Bordeaux rosés like our ROC Clairet Rosé make excellent partners when salmon is on the menu.

Check out our full range of rosé wines and find your favorite.

Sparkling Wine Pairings with Salmon

To make the most of your salmon dish, why not pair it with an elegant sparkling wine?

The irresistible bubbles in sparkling wines can have a savory, yeasty character to excite your palate. At the same time, their high acidity can cut through fattier, more decadent salmon dishes, such as smoked salmon or salmon in a cream sauce.

A dry sparkling rosé, English sparkling wine, or decadent Champagne is a good place to start.

Shop our sparkling choices to find a bottle destined for your salmon dish.

Wine Recommendations with Salmon Dishes

Grilled Salmon Filets

Grilled salmon filets make a great midweek meal and can be paired with various sides throughout the year—pasta, salad, rice, vegetables, or whatever you’ve got in the pantry.

To balance out the oiliness of a grilled salmon fillet, it’s best paired with a full-bodied white wine (above 13.5% ABV) with a higher acidity level. An oak-aged California Chardonnay, white Burgandy or Viognier from California or the Rhône Valley, can cut through that oiliness and lift the entire dish with its creamy, citrusy flavors.

Salmon in a Cream Sauce

Poached or roasted salmon filet in a light, creamy sauce is a classic way of serving this popular fish—and can be a great way to elevate a healthy, midweek meal.

Light sauces can be yogurt-based, a béarnaise, horseradish-based, or something fresh with lemon and herbs like dill. Once the salmon is cooked, simply drizzle the sauce over the top and serve with steamed greens and buttery potatoes.

With a creamy sauce, white wine is a mouth-watering match; think warm-climate Chardonnay from Napa Valley or a Californian Sauvignon Blanc.

Glazed Salmon (Teriyaki)

There are several ways to make teriyaki-glazed salmon, but there’s one thing they all have in common—sweetness.

In this dish, salmon can take on a steak-like quality as the fish absorbs the sauce. The dish has a hint of sweetness coming from the honey, brown sugar, or pineapple juice in the teriyaki glaze. Served on a bed of brown rice, this is a filling dish that still tastes delectable when reheated the next day.

To pair with this dish, a dry or off-dry Riesling with pear flavors to complement the Asian spices is a must-try, but so is a Spanish Tempranillo rosé as it will be crisp enough to cut through the sweetness—or try the delicious dry Sealicious Gewürztraminer 2020 with its lychee and citrus notes to cut through the sweetness of the sauce.

Sushi

With salmon sushi, the fish isn’t overshadowed by any of the other ingredients—it’s the star of the show.

To avoid overpowering its delicate, fatty flavors, pair your salmon nigiri or hosomaki rolls with a floral white wine, like a French Sauvignon Blanc, a dry sparkling wine (like a classic Champagne or Crémant.) Or you can pair a light Italian Pinot Nero (the blossom and red fruit flavors will create a satisfying mouthful.)

Smoked Salmon

A decadent dish for brunch and weekend breakfasts, smoked salmon is typically served atop bagels with cream cheese, torn over peppery green salads, draped over perfectly poached eggs, or with avocado on toast.

To offset its intense, oily flavors and to up the luxuriousness, pair smoked salmon with a dry, sparkling rosé. Opt for an Italian Prosecco rosata with its crisp, elegant finish as the ideal accompaniment.

Other Food & Wine Pairing Articles You May Be Interested in

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen, Personal Wine Advisor

The best moments of life involve entertaining friends and family over great meals, great wine and genuine laughter. I sometimes can’t believe that I get to do this for a living!

WSET – Level 2 Wines & Spirits Certified

Rhône Reds • Sonoma Reds • Barrel-Aged Rioja • If I can get a good, sumptuous lip smack from my glass, I am pleasantly charmed!

karen@laithwaites.com | (203) 523-2157

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