Salmon is a versatile and delicious fish that can be prepared in many different ways. Finding the right wine to pair with salmon can accentuate its flavor and make for an amazing meal. As a lover of food and wine, I’ve experimented with many different wine and salmon combinations. In this article, I’ll share my tips on the best kinds of wines that complement the taste of salmon.

The Basics of Pairing Wine with Salmon

When pairing wines with salmon, there are a few guiding principles to keep in mind:

• Full-bodied white wines – Salmon is a fatty oily fish. Full-bodied whites with oak aging tend to pair best as they have the weight and texture to stand up to salmon’s richness. Think oaky Chardonnay, Viognier, white Rioja, etc.

• Preparation method matters – Grilled or roasted salmon will pair differently than poached or smoked salmon. The sauce used will also influence the best wine choice.

• Don’t rule out reds – Some light, low tannin reds like Pinot Noir can work with salmon, depending on preparation.

• Rosé is versatile – With its medium body and acidity, rosé can pair with many salmon dishes Sparkling rosé works great with smoked salmon

• Complement or contrast – You can either complement salmon’s richness with an equally full-bodied white, or contrast it with a bright, high acid white like Sauvignon Blanc.

Now let’s get into specifics! Here are my top wine recommendations for common salmon preparations:

Pairing Wine with Simple Salmon

For plain grilled, baked, or poached salmon, I suggest pairing with a rich, oak-aged white wine. The vanilla and spice notes of oaky wines complements salmon’s natural oils. My picks:

• Oaked California Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast, Santa Barbara)

• Barrel-aged White Rioja from Spain

• Australian Sémillon with some oak influence

• Aged Italian white blend from Sicily

If you want more acidity, try something like a unoaked Chardonnay from Chablis or a Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre. The citrus and minerality refreshes the palate.

Pairing Wine with Crispy Skin Salmon

When salmon is pan-seared skin-side down first, the crispy skin texture calls for a bolder rosé. The touch of sweetness rosés offer balance the charred flavors beautifully. I would go for:

• A bold rosé from Provence or southern France

• Grenache-based rosé like Tavel

• Beaujolais in a lighter style made from Gamay

Pairing Wine with Smoked Salmon

With smoked salmon, you need a wine that can cut through the dense, salty flavors. Brighter wines work best here. I would go for:

• Sparkling rosé or blanc de blancs Champagne

• A minerally Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand

• Dry rosés from Provence or southern Italy

The brisk acidity in these wines cleanses the palate perfectly after the rich smoked salmon.

Pairing Wine with Teriyaki or Soy Glazed Salmon

Salmon glazed with teriyaki, soy sauce, sesame, or honey introduces a touch of sweetness that calls for a fruit-forward wine. Good options include:

• Just off-dry Riesling with stone fruit notes

• An off-dry Lambrusco with cherry flavors

• Torrontes with its peach and apricot aromas

• Moscato d’Asti bringing juicy pear and tangerine

Pairing Wine with Salmon Chowder

The creamy, savory broth of salmon chowder needs a wine with vibrant acidity to cut through the richness. Bubbly wines work wonderfully:

• A dry sparkling rosé from France or Italy

• A vintage Champagne with biscuit and citrus notes

• A fresh, unoaked Chardonnay in sparkling style

The bubbles help cleanse your palate between spoonfuls of chowder.

Pairing Wine with Salmon Stew

For tomato-based salmon stews, I like wines with salinity and savoriness to match. Flinty sherries and Madeiras have the right briny, umami quality. Consider:

• Fino or manzanilla sherry from Spain

• Sercial Madeira with its nutty-salty flavors

• Orange wines like Gravner Ribolla Gialla with savory notes

These fortified wines have the weight and saltiness to complement the stew.

Key Takeaways on Salmon and Wine Pairing

Hopefully this gives you some inspiration on wines to try with salmon! To recap:

• Full-bodied oaked whites pair well with simple grilled or roasted salmon

• Lighter reds like Beaujolais and rosé complement crispy salmon skin

• Smoked salmon needs bright, high acid wines to balance the salt

• For glazed or teriyaki salmon, try gently sweet wines like Riesling

• Sparkling wines and sherry work nicely with salmon in creamy, rich preparations

With such diversity in cooking methods, there are many wines that can complement salmon beautifully. Keep these guidelines in mind, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different pairings! Let the wine accentuate the incredible flavors of the salmon.