5 Best Wines to Pair With Salmon (2023)

5 Best Wines to Pair With Salmon Featured

Yummy and Healthy

Not only is salmon delicious and a perfect companion to a variety of wines, but it is also one of the most nutritious fish in the world. In fact, this fatty fish is packed with nutrients, such as omega-3 acids, and reduces certain risk factors for heart diseases. On top of this, salmon is irresistible, easy-to-cook, versatile, and available at every grocery store. Consequently, consuming at least a serving per week can help you reach your nutrient needs, reduce the risk of diseases, and improve your quality of life.

How to Cook Salmon

Considering how versatile a food salmon is, it can be cooked in a variety of ways, from sautéed and poached on the stovetop top, seared, roasted, broiled, or steamed in the oven. In addition, salmon is super tasty when grilled over hot coals. As a side note, perfectly cooked salmon might be delicious on its own, without extravagant side dishes. But with the right sauce, it can seriously become one of the most palatable foods ever, turning from a weeknight course into party fare.

Bottle
Name The Prisoner The Snitch Chardonnay Glazebrook Regional Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc Meiomi Pinot Noir Ventisquero Herú Pinot Noir
Color White White White Red Red
Country United States New Zealand United States United States Chile
Grapes Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Rousanne Pinot Noir Pinot Noir
Taste Grapefruit, Cherry, Orange Blossom, Brioche Bread, Smoke White Peach, Nectarine, Mango, Capsicum, Mint, Lime, Tree Bark, Anise, Sage, Basil Peach, Apricot, Grapefruit, Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Nut, Stones, Violet Strawberry, Blackberry, Cherry, Oak, Tobacco, Plum Plum, Fig, Plum, Boysenberry, Blackberry, Smoke, Vanilla Spice, Dried Roses
Food Pairing Salmon, Sea Bass, Pappardelle Lobster, Fried Chicken, Camembert, Roquefort Salmon, Sea Bass, Roast Chicken, Salads, Goat Cheese, Fruit Tart Salmon, Pot Roast, Schnitzel, Beer-simmered Grilled Sausages, Seafood, Spaetzle Salmon, Vindaloo, Tandoori Chicken, Chinese Food, Rib Eye Salmon, Pheasant, Casserole, Venison, Roast Chicken, Tuna
Alcohol Content 14.5% 14% 13.5% 14.6% 13.5%
Sugar Content Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry
Our Rating 4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5) 4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5) 4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5) 4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5) 4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)
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What Wines Pair Well With Salmon?

Your salmon wine pairing depends on the type of salmon and how you cook it. In general, aim for highly aromatic wines with sharp, racy acidity to cut through the fats of the fish, such as creamy Chardonnay and acidic Sauvignon Blanc. That said, you may be wondering if salmon pairs with red wine, too.

The myth that red wine does not match with fish is partially accurate. For the best result, avoid pairing salmon with bold, tannic reds. Their weight and structure ruin both the wine and salmon’s flavors. Pinot Noir, for instance, is the best red wine with salmon as it is elegant enough, without overpowering the fish.


Best White Wines With Salmon

The Prisoner The Snitch Chardonnay

  • Winery — The Prisoner
  • Country/Region — United States, California, North Coast, Napa County, Napa Valley
  • Type — Californian Chardonnay
  • Aroma — Apple, Pear, Meyer Lemon, Violet, Honeysuckle, Pineapple, Mango
  • Grapes — Chardonnay
  • Taste — Grapefruit, Cherry, Orange Blossom, Brioche Bread, Smoke
  • Alcohol Content — 14.5%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Salmon, Sea Bass, Pappardelle Lobster, Fried Chicken, Camembert, Roquefort
Overall Rating: 4.8

Positives
  • Uplifting Fragrances
  • Smooth Texture
  • Tasty Palate With Great Depth
  • Balanced
Negatives
  • Slightly Weird Aftertaste

Tasting Notes

Uplifting fragrances of green fruit flavors and fresh tropical fruits commence a dance on the wine’s nose, while on the palate, flavors of grapefruit, brioche bread, and smoke produce balanced, palatable sensations. Therefore, considering such complexity, The Snitch Chardonnay could be the best white wine with salmon.

Zesty scents of apples, pears, and Meyer lemons join notes of pineapples and mangoes to form the pronounced bouquet. Rounded and smooth in the mouth, The Snitch Chardonnay shows bright flavors of grapefruit, orange blossom, and cherry blended with subtle touches of brioche bread and smoke. The racy acidity is vibrant and tingles the taste buds, leading to a slightly bitter but creamy aftertaste.

Winemaking Inspired by a Spanish Painter

The Prisoner Wine Company crafts exceptional wines inspired by Francisco Goya’s famous 19th Century painting, Le Petit Prisoner. The classic sketch symbolized the protest against racism in the Spanish Independence War of 1808. In this way, The Prisoner Wine Company demonstrates that they stand against racism and oppression of minorities.


Glazebrook Regional Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

  • Winery — Glazebrook
  • Country/Region — New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
  • Type — New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
  • Aroma — Gooseberry, Grass, Grapefruit, Peach, Apricot
  • Grapes — Sauvignon Blanc
  • Taste — White Peach, Nectarine, Mango, Capsicum, Mint, Lime, Tree Bark, Anise, Sage, Basil
  • Alcohol Content — 14%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Salmon, Sea Bass, Roast Chicken, Salads, Goat Cheese, Fruit Tart
Overall Rating: 4.7

Positives
  • Vibrant Nose
  • Juicy Palate
  • Fine Effervescence
Negatives
  • Very Straightforward

Tasting Notes

Ripe passion and stone fruit on the nose, alongside hints of gooseberry and grass. On the palate, tastes of capsicum, tree bark, and citrus offer vibrancy and a distinctive creaminess for a Sauvignon Blanc, which are counterbalanced by the racy acidity.

Just as you uncork the bottle, waves of passion and stone fruit aromas emerge, such as peaches and apricots. Close by, subtle scents of gooseberries, grass, and grapefruits follow. In the mouth, a complex core of capsicum, mint, lime, and tree bark combine with flavors of white peaches, nectarines, and mangoes to deliver the textured palate. Next, notes of anise, sage, and basil add depth and interest, as the long, lingering finish concludes the tasting profile with vibrancy.

Pioneers of the New Zealand Wine Industry

One of the first estate wineries in New Zealand since 1981, Glazebrook has bloomed for 35 years. Located in New Zealand’s renowned Hawke Bay on the North Island, they produce fresh, vibrant Sauvignon Blanc of world-class quality. In addition, the people behind the winery focus on modern vineyard management and cellar techniques and a translation of grapes into wine without intervention. In fact, Glazebrook pioneered, revolutionized, and caused the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wine industry to evolve.


Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc

  • Winery — Tablas Creek Vineyard
  • Country/Region — United States, California, Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles
  • Type — Californian White Blend
  • Aroma — Lemon, Orange Peel, White Peach, Nectarine, Licorice, Cinnamon Spice
  • Grapes — Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Rousanne
  • Taste — Peach, Apricot, Grapefruit, Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Nut, Stones, Violet
  • Alcohol Content — 13.5%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Salmon, Pot Roast, Schnitzel, Beer-simmered Grilled Sausages, Seafood, Spaetzle
Overall Rating: 4.5

Positives
  • Delicate Bouquet
  • Complex, Super Flavorful Palate
  • Elegant Aftertaste
Negatives
  • Slightly Bitter

Tasting Notes

Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc begins with elegant aromas of spices, citrus, and white stone fruit, accentuated by minerals. The mouth is balanced with rich flavors of peaches, grapefruits, and red berries. Delicate aromas of Meyer lemon, orange peel, white peach, and nectarine mingle with subtle hints of licorice and cinnamon spice as the wine opens delightfully.

On the palate, fruit flavors of peaches, apricots, and grapefruits join notes of strawberries, raspberries, and cherries shaping the plush mouth. Next, gentle touches of flowers, nuts, and saline minerality form a core of alluring tastes surface. A fresh, elegant finish rounds out the back-palate, impressing wine enthusiasts.

Bringing the Rhône to California

As a pioneer of the California Rhône movement, Tablas Creek Vineyard produces high-quality Rhône-style wines. The winery was founded in 1989, and it is considered the joint operation of the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel and the Haas family of Vineyard Brands.

After extensive research, the two families chose Paso Robles to cultivate imported vine cuttings from France and produce wine with the same flavor components as Southern Rhône. In addition, the Tablas Creek vineyards are biodynamic and organic certified by Demeter U.S.A., encompassing a sustainable approach to viticulture.


Best Red Wines With Salmon

Meiomi Pinot Noir

  • Winery — Meiomi
  • Country/Region — United States, California, Sonoma County
  • Type — Californian Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Oak, Cherry, Blackberry, Fig, Strawberry, Vanilla
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Strawberry, Blackberry, Cherry, Oak, Tobacco, Plum
  • Alcohol Content — 14.6%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Salmon, Vindaloo, Tandoori Chicken, Chinese Food, Rib Eye
Overall Rating: 4.7

Positives
  • Smooth Tannins
  • Long Finish
  • Bright And Clean
Negatives
  • Finish Is Slightly Bitter

Tasting Notes

Uplifting fruit aromas of red berries, coffee, cinnamon, and charred wood are present on the nose, while expressive dark fruits, along with toasty cocoa flavors, lend depth to the palate. A soft bouquet of strawberries, raspberries, and cherries, framed by a core of cinnamon, coffee, and charred wood, runs long, drawing wine fans in.

Dynamic and expressive in the mouth, the wine shows flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, plums mixed with tastes of cocoa and tree bark. The chewy tannins provide a certain depth, as the refreshing acidity ends in a lengthy, oak-driven aftertaste.

Expressive Wine Perfect for Any Food Pairing

Meiomi (pronounced may-OH-mee) translates to ‘coast’ in the language of the Wappo American Indian tribe. It symbolizes the character of the Californian coastal vineyards, which produce fruit-forward and expressive wines, such as this Pinot Noir. In actuality, Meiomi Pinot Noir, as an opulent wine, is built to accommodate any food pairing and be enjoyed anywhere, anytime.

Meiomi collects grapes from cool-climate vineyards of the coastal appellations of Sonoma, Santa Barbara, and Monterey counties, among others. Except for Pinot Noir, the winery offers balanced rosé and Chardonnay blends, as well as sparklings.


Ventisquero Herú Pinot Noir

  • Winery — Ventisquero
  • Country/Region — Chile, Aconcagua, Casablanca Valley
  • Type — Chilean Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Cherry, Raspberry, Almond, Dried Leaves, Charred Oak, Hazelnut
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Plum, Fig, Plum, Boysenberry, Blackberry, Smoke, Vanilla Spice, Dried Roses
  • Alcohol Content — 13.5%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Salmon, Pheasant, Casserole, Venison, Roast Chicken, Tuna
Overall Rating: 4.6

Positives
  • Fragrant Aromas
  • Smooth Texture
  • A Pleasant And Lengthy Finish
Negatives
  • Unbalanced Oakiness

Tasting Notes

Packed with earthy aromas and spicy red berry fruits, Ventisquero Herú Pinot Noir starts with a pronounced bouquet. In the mouth, woody and dark fruit flavors are accompanied by creaminess, as smoky flavors find the lingering finish.

A superb New World Pinot Noir, highly expressive of Chile’s terroir, the wine displays fragrances of dried leaves, almonds, cherries, and raspberries on the nose. Medium-bodied with a rounded, smooth texture, on the palate tastes of plums and figs, join notes of boysenberries and blackberries, as fresh acidity keeps the mouth upright. Touches of smoke, charred wood, and vanilla spice integrate well with the silky tannins, providing structure and weight. A trace of dried rose lingers on the pleasant aftertaste.

Crafting High-end Quality Chilean Wine

Ventisquero is one of the largest wine producers in Chile, founded in 1998 by Gonzalo Vial, owner of a fresh food firm. Ventisquero owns about 3,700 acres of vineyards in Maipo, where the winery is located, Casablanca, Leyda, Huasco, and Colchagua regions. Ventisquero translates into ‘glacier’ and, as a group, it includes the Ramirana, Yali, Root 1, and Kalfu wine brands.

Ventisquero wines are divided into ranges. The Grey series of wines are from single-vineyard plots, for instance. On the other hand, the Reserva, Queulat, and the more consumer-friendly Yelco series is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenère, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Conclusion

If you are on the lookout for the perfect salmon wine match, rest assured that these wines, both white and red, enable you to enjoy this fatty, finger-licking fish to your heart’s content. Locating them is not hard, too, as nearly every wine store or supermarket has them readily available. So, go shopping. Now.

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