Salmon is one of the most versatile proteins to pair with wine. Its creamy texture and rich, fatty flavors provide the perfect complement to a variety of wines. When choosing a wine pairing for salmon, Pinot Noir is often an excellent choice. But why does this elegant red wine pair so beautifully with salmon? Let’s explore what makes Pinot Noir and salmon such a heavenly culinary combination
An Overview of Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a red wine grape known for its light body, vibrant acidity, and range of fruit flavors including cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and rose petals. Grown around the world but achieving its pinnacle in the Burgundy region of France, Pinot Noir often displays layers of earthy, spicy notes as well. The grape’s thin skin produces pale red wines that emphasize finesse and complexity over power.
Well-made examples of Pinot Noir offer a gorgeous interplay of fruit and savory elements. The wine’s bright acidity and mild tannins make it one of the most food-friendly red wines. Pinot Noir’s versatility enables it to pair with everything from roast chicken to mushrooms to most cuts of salmon.
Salmon’s Richness Finds Its Match
All types of salmon, from wild-caught King salmon to farm-raised Atlantic salmon, possess a supple, fatty texture that coats the palate. Salmon’s richness derives from beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. These fats impart succulent flavors that amplify when salmon is grilled, pan-seared, or poached.
Pinot Noir acts as an excellent foil to salmon’s oiliness. The wine’s bright acidity cuts through the fish’s fats, cleansing the palate This makes the fruit flavors taste more vibrant The tannins in Pinot Noir also help to offset salmon’s richness. Additionally, Pinot Noir’s red fruit flavors complement the salmon’s orange-hued flesh.
Textural Synergy on Full Display
Beyond flavor affinities, the textures of Pinot Noir and salmon beautifully accentuate one another. Salmon boasts a supple, creamy mouthfeel thanks to those healthy fats. Pinot Noir tends to display a silky texture and soft tannins. Taken together, the velvety smoothness of the fish and wine make for an utterly seductive pairing.
The interplay of textures also allows the wine to feel refreshing, preventing the dish from becoming overly heavy or rich. The creamy salmon helps soften the wine’s acidity as well. This melding of textures creates a synergistic combination that excites the palate.
Versatile Pairing for Diverse Salmon Dishes
One reason Pinot Noir works so seamlessly with salmon is that it pairs well with nearly any preparation of the fish. Grilled salmon, smoked salmon, poached salmon, and salmon baked en papillote all make heavenly matches with Pinot Noir. The wine’s fruit, earth, and savory spice notes intermingle beautifully with any accompanying ingredients, from a sprig of fresh dill to a spritz of lemon.
Pinot Noir also has the body and structure to stand up to more intensely flavored salmon preparations. For example, salmon tacos with chipotle crema, salmon burgers with Thai chili mayo, or Cajun blackened salmon all find a worthy partner in Pinot Noir. The wine’s complexity helps temper spicy heat while contributing fruity vibrancy.
Regional Examples of Blissful Pairings
It’s worth noting that Pinot Noir grown in different regions will offer slightly different flavors that pair variably with salmon. Cooler climate examples like those from Oregon and northern California tend to be lighter bodied with pronounced acidity. Their vibrancy works excellently with simple salmon preparations.
Burgundian Pinot Noirs also pair beautifully with salmon, as do New Zealand bottlings like those from Central Otago. Their savory, earthy notes intermingle deliciously with salmon’s richness. Fuller-bodied Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs from California make great partners to fattier King salmon.
No matter the provenance, Pinot Noir and salmon make for a match made in culinary heaven. So when looking for a wine pairing with poached, grilled, or smoked salmon, reach for a bottle of Pinot Noir. The elegant red wine will draw out the gorgeous textures and succulent flavors of the fish in soul-satisfying fashion.
Pair Salmon With Pinot Noir!
Since salmon is bolder in flavor and texture, it actually stands up well to red wine! The type of red wine is key, though: A big, heavy-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon will indeed overpower salmon, but a light-bodied red will not.
That’s why Pinot Noir is such a perfect fit! It has more acidity than most other red wines to complement the fish and cut through its richness. Plus, its fruity, earthy notes work well with salmon’s buttery, extra-savory flavor.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__simply_recipes__uploads__2020__06__Pinot-Noir-with-Salmon-LEAD-4-1024x681-f3d02b114d9944d5a4959e95c0819d7c.jpg)
White Wine Is Not the Best Choice for Salmon
The reason white wine is a classic pairing with seafood is that it’s generally lighter-bodied than red wine, so it doesn’t overpower the fish. Also, just like the common practice of squeezing lemon juice over your freshly cooked seafood, higher acidity in white wine tends to compliment it.
But pink-hued fillets like salmon, while still relatively mild in flavor, are buttery, rich-tasting, and have a more pronounced “fishiness” than extra-mild fish like tilapia, flounder, or sole. Salmon is also a firmer, meatier fish, with a moist and tender texture, rather than a delicately flaky one.
Both of these factors mean salmon can break with tradition and pair with a red wine instead of a white one.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__simply_recipes__uploads__2020__06__Pinot-Noir-with-Salmon-LEAD-7-1024x682-f2e4452267a540df8977a3525a286123.jpg)
Why Does Pinot Noir go with Salmon so Well?
FAQ
Is Pinot Noir ok with salmon?
A: Yes! You can drink light-bodied, low-tannin red wines with salmon. This class of red wines includes Gamay, Grenache, and of course, all-around favorite Pinot Noir. In fact, Pinot Noir with salmon is generally considered a “classic pairing” for the New World.
What type of wine is best for 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.Oct 21, 2022
What fish goes well with Pinot Noir?
Cooking Methods and Ingredients
A classic combination is simply seared salmon, tuna or swordfish with these Pinot Noirs.
What drink pairs well with salmon?