Learn what wines pair best with the four different groups of fin fish. From flaky tilapia to steak-like swordfish, there are a range of potential wine pairings. Beyond just the choice of fish, the sauce and fish preparation affects what tastes best when pairing wine with fish.
Guide to Pairing Wine with Fish
As a general rule: white wines pair best with fish.
Why not read wine? Red wines contain higher levels of tannin which interact with fish oils on your palate. In most cases this interaction can leave a metallic aftertaste in your mouth.
If you’re hoping to pair fish with red wine, opt for a low tannin red wine.
Pairing Based on Type of Fish
Fin fish can be characterized into 4 major groups by texture and flavor.
- Lean and Flaky Fish – sea bass, etc
- Medium-Textured Fish – trout, arctic char, etc
- Meaty Fish – tuna, swordfish, etc
- Intensely Flavored Fish – sardine, herring, etc
Lean and Flaky Fish
Mild flavored white fish with filets that are thin and flaky. If you’ve ever had fish tacos, you know exactly what we’re talking about!
Examples include sea bass, branzino, black sea bass, flounder, perch, porgy, sole, fluke, tilapia, wild striped bass, pollock, and haddock.
Wines with lean and flaky fish
Look for zesty and refreshing whites to balance the delicate fish flavor.
Grüner Veltliner Pinot Grigio (Italy) Champagne Vinho Verde (Portugal) Fruilano (Italy) Muscadet (Loire) Greek Whites Portuguese Whites Albariño Cava Sauvignon Blanc Verdejo Unoaked Chardonnay (such as Chablis)
Medium-Textured Fish
This is still a flaky fish, but with an overall firmer and thicker texture. With a medium-texture, these fish tend to hold up to richer sauces and ingredients – and wine too!
Example include trout, arctic char, catfish, red snapper, grouper, skate, code, hake, black fish, haddock, redfish, halibut, black cod (sablefish), monkfish, chilean seabass, and escobar.
Wines with medium-textured fish
Look for medium bodied whites with high aromatics and rich full-bodied whites aged in oak. Chardonnay California Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc White Rioja Sémillon Dry Chenin Blanc (try South Afica!) Fiano (Italy) Moschofilero (Greece) Vermentino (Italy) Dry Riesling (Washington) Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley) Pinot Gris (Alsace) Garganega (Soave)
Meaty Fish
Types of fish that are firm with a meaty and steak-like texture.
Examples include tuna, bluefish, salmon, mackerel, mahi mahi, shark, monkfish and swordfish.
Wine with meaty fish
Rich white wines with lots of flavor and even a few red and rosé wines.
Oaked Chardonnay Viognier Vintage Champagne White Burgundy Dry Rosé Italian Chardonnay Marsanne Roussanne Grenache Blanc Falanghina (Italy)
Strongly Flavored Fish
Strongly flavored fishes that are salty and taste like the sea. Examples include anchovies, sardines, herring and mackerel.
Wine with strongly flavored fish
An interesting thing happens when you get into dishes with anchovies and other strongly flavored fish. The intensity gets a lot bolder. For example, a rich Italian-style pizza with salty-tangy anchovies. Normally, you might choose a white wine to pair with fish, but in this instance, it might be better with a red!
Champagne Crémant Dry Lambrusco Rosé Dry Rosé Pinot Noir Gamay Cava Grenache Blanc
Fish Preparations & Sauces
Zesty Sauces with Wine
Beurre Blanc, Lemon, Lime, Vinegar-based Sauces Try lighter zestier white wines and wines with more herbal and savory characteristics such as Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet, Cortese di Gavi, Verdejo, Vinho Verde, White Bordeaux and Grenache Blanc.
Sweet Sauces with Wine
Pineapple, Mango, Orange, Teriyaki, Sweet and Sour Look for wines with a touch more sweetness than the sauce. The darker the sauce, the darker your wine should be in the rosé spectrum. For instance, Teriyaki with Lambrusco or Meyer lemon glazed tilapia with Spätlese Riesling.
Spicy Sauces with Wine
Paprika, Pepper, Cumin, Coriander, Chili Chili crusted fish are more about the fish’s texture bringing out the spices and seasonings. Spiced fish dishes match well with spice driven wines such as Grüner Veltliner, Gewürztraminer, Riesling and even a lighter red wine such as Grenache.
Curry Sauces with Wine
Thai Curry, Indian Curry Curry sauces tend to be a little sweet and because of their spices look for sweet wines like Riesling, Moscato, Gewürztraminer and Prosecco.
Fish Tacos with Wine
Fish tacos go really well with Grüner Veltliner, Muscadet and Champagne.
Herb Sauces with Wine
Basil, Parsley, Mint, Cilantro, Dill, Capers, Cucumber Wines with herbaceous notes taste richly floral when paired with green herbs. Check out Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis, Grenache Blanc, Torrontés and Trebbiano.
Smoked Salmon or Trout with Wine
Richly smoked fishes are a little drier and need wine pairings that quench them. Garnacha rosé, Vintage Champagne, Rosé Sparkling Wines, Dry Riesling, Dry Furmint (Tokaji) and White Pinot Noir will pair well.
Raw Fish with Wine
Try most sparkling wines and bone dry white wines like Muscadet, Assyrtiko, Vinho Verde, Albariño, Dry Furmint (Tokaji) and Ugni Blanc (aka Trebbiano).