Skip to Content

Grilled Salmon Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Grilled Salmon

While salmon is one of the most delicious and versatile fish out there, it can be difficult to find a wine that pairs perfectly with your meal.

High-quality grilled salmon deserves an equally good bottle of wine – but which one?

The search for the perfect pairing doesn’t have to be overwhelming though.

In this blog post, we’ll help you unlock the secrets of how to pick just the right bottle for your grilled salmon dish.

Grilled Salmon
Source: foodiecrush.com

We’ll cover all aspects from flavor profiles to food pairings so that you can confidently choose a great wine every time you serve up grilled salmon!

So if you’re ready to learn more about how different wines pair differently with cooked versus raw fish, read on!

But first, what wine goes with grilled salmon?

The best wines to pair with grilled salmon are oak-aged Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne and other white wines. These full-bodied whites will bring out the flavors of the grilled salmon. For a lighter option, you can also try rosé or sparkling wine.

Why Consider Serving Wine With Grilled Salmon?

Serving wine with grilled salmon may seem like an odd combination, but the pairing can be surprisingly delicious.

White wines have been traditionally associated with fish and seafood, but certain reds and rosé wines can also be a great accompaniment to grilled salmon.

The key is to choose a wine that will complement the flavors of the fish. With its delicate texture, rich flavor, and healthy fatty acids that provide savory umami notes, grilled salmon is an ideal dish for special occasions and dinner parties alike – especially when paired with the right bottle of wine.

To select the perfect accompaniment for your next meal of grilled salmon, consider choosing from one of these three types: white wines, red wines, or rosé wines – each offering its own unique flavor profile that will enhance your dining experience even further!

The Best Red Wines For Grilled Salmon

Red Wine
Source: foodiecrush.com

Red wine and grilled salmon can make a surprisingly harmonious pairing.

The smoky, savory taste of the salmon brings out the fruity notes in most red wines. Look for light- to medium-bodied reds with bright acidity and low tannin levels when selecting a bottle to pair with your grilled salmon.

Pinot Noir is an excellent option for pairing with a succulent fillet of grilled salmon. Rich and silky on the palate, Pinot offers up subtle notes of berry, spice, and earthiness that will bring out the best in your meal.

Cabernet Sauvignon is another excellent choice – it will lend a pleasant complexity to the fish while matching its rich flavor profile nicely.

Beaujolais is also worth considering if you’re looking for something lighter but still full-flavored; it has enough structure to stand up to heavier dishes yet won’t overpower delicate fish like salmon.

The Best White Wines For Grilled Salmon

White wine

White wines pair well with grilled salmon because their lighter and more delicate flavors are complemented nicely by the richness of salmon. For a light, refreshing white wine pairing for your grilled salmon, you can’t go wrong with Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Sauvignon Blanc is characterized by its zesty acidity that pairs perfectly with the oiliness of the fish. It also has intense aromas of tropical fruits and citrus that will round out any accompanying sauces or seasonings used on the grilled salmon.

Pinot Grigio is an excellent white wine choice for grilled salmon since it has bright notes of green apple, lemon, and lime which bring out flavor nuances in the fish that may have been masked when cooked with heavier wines like Chardonnay.

Its light body makes it an ideal accompaniment to a variety of sauces as well as lighter summer dishes featuring seafood like grilled salmon.

The Best Rosé Wines For Grilled Salmon

Rosé wine

Rosé wines are the perfect choice if you’re looking for a wine to pair with grilled salmon. The combination of its light body and fruity flavor makes it ideal for pairing with a variety of fish dishes, including grilled salmon.

Rosé wines can range from dry to sweet so it’s important that you choose one that complements the dish.

When choosing a rosé wine, look for one with notes of strawberries or other red fruits but try to avoid those that are too acidic or tannic as they can overwhelm the delicate flavors of grilled salmon. A well-rounded rosé should also have some minerality which will complement the smokiness and char from the grill.

Popular choices include Pinot Noir, Grenache Rose, Syrah/Shiraz Rose, Sangiovese Rose, and Cabernet Franc Rose amongst others; however, don’t hesitate to experiment a little if you want something more unique!

Other Wines To Pair With Grilled Salmon

If you’re looking to explore some interesting wine pairings for grilled salmon, there are plenty of options available beyond the typical red, white, and rosé.

Sparkling wines make a great accompaniment to grilled salmon, as they can cut through the oiliness of the fish while still complementing its delicate flavors.

Similarly, full-bodied whites such as Chardonnay or Viognier can bring out the richness in grilled salmon.

You might also want to try some dry Rieslings or Sauvignon Blancs – their fruitiness pairs well with the subtle sweetness of grilled salmon.

Sweet wines such as Gewürztraminer or Sauternes are also excellent choices when it comes to pairing with grilled salmon dishes; their sweetness helps to balance out any saltiness from seasonings used on the fish.

Finally, Italian whites like Soave and Pinot Grigio offer crisp refreshment that’s perfect for summer evenings spent grilling up your favorite seafood dish!

5 Tips For Picking A Wine

When it comes to pairing wines with grilled salmon, there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to get the best flavor combination.

Here are 5 tips for picking the perfect wine:

  1. Consider the type of salmon you’re using – do you want a light and delicate white or rosé? Or something bolder like a full-bodied red?
  2. Think about how your salmon is prepared – smoked, cured or grilled fillets will all work better with different types of wine.
  3. Consider adding other flavors such as herbs and spices – certain wines might go better if more intense flavors are present.
  4. Be aware of other accompaniments (if any) on your plate – this can help narrow down your choices when it comes to selecting either a white, red, or rosé for your meal.
  5. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Try out different types of wines until you find one that pairs perfectly with your meal!

Grilled Salmon Wine Pairing: 3 Ways To Go About It

Grilled salmon can pair nicely with a variety of wines. You can “go by the book” and match specific types of wine to your grilled salmon dish, or you could experiment a bit and explore different flavors.

Here are 3 ways to go about choosing your wine for grilled salmon:

  1. Matching the flavor profile: Match lighter reds, whites, and rosés with delicate flavors in the dish like herbs; match bolder reds with heartier preparations like creamy sauces; and find an acidic white or rosé for fattier fish dishes.
  2. Going with regionality: Look for something from the same region as your meal is prepared. If it’s Italian, try an Italian Rosato!
  3. Following personal preference: Don’t be afraid to explore beyond what is suggested on paper – if you have a favorite bottle that you enjoy drinking already (or something new that sounds appealing), give it a try!

Serving Temperature And Glassware

Serving the right temperature and glassware for wine can really enhance the flavors and make your pairing even more enjoyable.

Red wines should be served at cool room temperatures, around 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, while white wines should be chilled or served slightly cooler at 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

When it comes to glassware, you want a good quality glass designed specifically for wine that allows you to savor its aromas.

The most popular options are Burgundy glasses with wide mouths and Tulip glasses with narrow mouths that concentrate the aroma. If you’re serving sparkling wines, use flutes instead of regular glasses so that carbonation is kept intact for longer periods of time.

Overall, if you keep these tips in mind when selecting wine and choosing what type of glassware to serve your drinks in – your guests will definitely appreciate it!

Conclusion

Grilled salmon is a delicious and versatile seafood dish that pairs well with many different types of wine. Whether you’re after the smoky, char-grilled flavor from grilling it outdoors or the deliciously caramelized flavors from indoor cooking, grilled salmon can be surprisingly easy to pair with a great bottle of wine.

So, what wine pairs well with grilled salmon?

The best wines to pair with grilled salmon are oak-aged Chardonnay, Viognier, and Marsanne. These white wines have enough body to match the smokiness of the fish and their acidity complements its rich flavors. Other light-bodied white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris can also work well.

Whether you opt for an oaky Chardonnay for your white selection, a full-bodied Pinot Noir for reds, or a light Rosé to round out your meal – there are lots of great options when it comes to pairing wines with grilled salmon. Just make sure to pick something that will fit well with both the flavor profile and style of your dish as well as any other side dishes you might be serving.

Finally – remember not to forget about proper glassware and temperature when serving! Enjoy!

jenny happy muncher
 | Website

Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.