Red and White Wine Pairings for Seafood

Red and White Wine Pairings for Seafood

Red and White Wine Pairings for Seafood.

Fish and seafood are very adaptable, which makes them particularly appealing. Aside from the fact that it comes in a variety of species, there are several methods to prepare it. There are several ways to cook with it: grilling it, baking it, poaching it, or eating it raw. Keep many foods basic or dress them up with a buttery cream sauce or a rich, spicy tomato sauce for a more elaborate presentation.

Having a glass of wine to accompany a wonderfully cooked seafood meal is the only thing that could possibly make it even better (although an ocean view would be pretty nice, too).

When it comes to fish and shellfish, white wine pairings are usually the only thing you hear about. Even while white wines are traditionally considered to be the go-to choice, they are not the only ones.

In addition, a number of seafood meals go nicely with a variety of red wines. Our brief recommendations on how to combine wine with seafood, as well as some fantastic combinations you should try for your next ocean-inspired dinner, will be provided in this section. Enjoy!

Wines to Pair with Seafood: Some Suggestions.


Fish and shellfish are so adaptable that a broad range of wines will pair nicely with a number of different cuisines because of their versatility. Tradition dictates that white wine should be served with seafood, although red wines may also be a good match in specific situations.

Aspects such as the sort of fish or shellfish you’re serving and how you prepare it are important considerations when matching wine with seafood. Keep in mind that texture and taste are important concerns.

A lighter white wine such as Pinot Gris or Grüner Veltliner is often used for more delicate white fish. More robust wines, such as oaked Chardonnay, complement meatier species.

Consider the method of preparing your seafood as well as the other ingredients in the meal to help you limit your choices. If you’re serving seafood in a cream sauce, a crisp acidic wine can assist to cut through the fat and cleanse your taste.

A hot seafood dish, on the other hand, necessitates the use of sweet wine to assist counteract the heat from the shellfish.

It is still necessary to consider how the meal is prepared as well as the sauce (if any) and the tastes that are served with it when combining red wines with seafood especially. It is also important to consider the tannins in the beverage.

You’ll want to avoid mixing tannins with acidity since doing so might result in a metallic sensation in your tongue. If you want to drink red wine with your seafood dish, stay away from dishes that include a squeeze of lemon or a lemon-based sauce, and choose a red wine with low tannins.

Cadar and Champagne are two of the most luxurious foods available.


Champagne and caviar are some of the most exquisite wine and seafood combos available. Because of the high levels of oil, fat, and salt in caviar, a dry Champagne pairs beautifully with it, resulting in a fantastic taste experience while also clearing the palette. For those who don’t like sparkling wines, an aromatic, herbaceous or lemony Sauvignon Blanc is a great alternative choice.

Crab Cakes with Sauvignon Blanc are a great combination.


Among seafood enthusiasts, crab cakes are a beloved dish. They’re somewhat sweet, crisp, and herbaceous, whether fried or baked. A cream-based sauce, such as remoulade or tartar sauce, is often served with these excellent burgers.

Wine with fresh acidities, such as a Sauvignon Blanc, cuts through the fat of the meal and brings out the taste of the meat more. Alternately, a fruity, flowery Viognier would be a lovely accompaniment to this meal.

Pinot Gris and sea bass are a delicious combination.


It is a mild, flaky fish that is popular throughout the Caribbean. A drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme are all you need to bake it in the oven until tender.

A lemon, garlic, and herb sauce are served on top of this pan-fried chicken dish. Fish tacos are also a favorite dish.

Pinot Gris is a light-bodied white wine that pairs well with seafood. In contrast to the delicate tastes of the fish, the wine’s sharp acidity brings out the best in it. Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, and Albario are among the other zesty, refreshing wines that go well with sea bass.

Lobster and Chardonnay are two of my favorite things to eat.


Lobster is considered to be one of the most luxurious varieties of seafood available on the market today. You may cook it in a variety of ways, which makes it a versatile dish. Cooking your lobster in any of the following ways: baking, broiling; grilling, or steaming; Chardonnay is the wine to serve with it regardless of how you prepare it. Adding a cream sauce or a dab of butter to the wine improves its flavor.

You don’t have to limit yourself to only Chardonnay in this situation. Lobster pairs well with a variety of white wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Gerwürztraminer, among others. A red wine such as an unoaked Barbera would be a good choice for lobster meals that include tomato-based sauces as an accompaniment.

Tuna and rosé are a delicious combination.


Unbelievable as it may seem, a traditional French match of tuna and rosé wine exists. It just takes one bite to see why this combo is so popular among food lovers. In comparison to other types of fish, tuna has a meatier texture and a more robust taste than salmon.

With each sip, the rosé cleanses the tongue of any remaining meatiness and fat. The lovely pink hue of a perfectly cooked tuna steak and the matching pink color of the wine contribute to the perfection of the combination as well.

Salmon and Pinot Noir are two of my favorite foods to pair together.


Similar to tuna in terms of heartiness and meatiness, salmon is a more substantial fish. So it can hold its own against certain red wines.

Beautiful Pinot Noir is one of the greatest reds to pair with this fish. Higher acidity helps to cut through the fattiness of the fish, while fruity, earthy flavors complement the rich buttery taste of the fish. At the same time, the iron-rich fish brings out the fruity characteristics of the wine.

In addition to dry Rosé wines, salmon meals may be paired with a range of other wines. A fruity Rosé Champagne is a fantastic match for smoked salmon, and you could also try matching it with barbequed salmon if you like a more delicate taste.

Nebbiolo with sardines


Sardines are fatty fish with a strong taste that is much sought after by chefs. So they can hold their own against a stronger, more tannic wine such as Nebbiolo, which is a great example of this. As a result of the tannins in wine, the taste of the fish is released from its fat.

Meanwhile, the fat from the fish helps to soften the astringency of the wine, enabling the other aspects of the wine to come through more strongly.

Make your next seafood dish even better by pairing it with the best wine!


In terms of protein sources, seafood has an incredible amount of variety to offer. The species available to you may be prepared in a number of ways, according to your preference. Not only that, but when it comes to pairing the ideal glass of wine with your meal, you have a plethora of possibilities.

It’s a great thing about seafood being so varied that you’re not confined to just white fish. The same can be said for many foods when it comes to pairing red wines.

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