Drinking a glass of wine with a meal can help bring out the different flavors of the dish. Some people drink wine because they enjoy the taste of the alcohol itself, while some have a glass with dinner to relax and enjoy the food. Regardless of why you drink wine, you will enjoy it much better when you choose the perfect pairing to suit your dinner.
In this article, we will discuss what wine with seafood tastes better. Since there are a lot of types of seafood, we will guide you through choosing the best wine to pair with your dish.
General Guidelines for Wine Pairings
Before diving into the “what wine with seafood tastes better” topic, here are some general guidelines to take note of when selecting the wine. Remember that some wines may taste excellent on their own but don’t complement the seafood flavors so well. To fully enjoy your meal, the wine must be able to bring out the flavors of the food and vice versa.
- White wine is a popular choice, and some consider it the best wine with a seafood platter.
- You must always consider the texture of the dish. Delicate fish dishes are best paired with light-bodied wine, while heavy and rich fishes can go with either.
- Choose your wine based on the flavors of the dish and not just the texture of the seafood. If you have a delicate fish with a heavy, cream-based sauce, choosing a wine that will pair well with the sauce is recommended.
- For spicy dishes, you will usually want to go with a bottle of white wine to avoid a metallic taste on your palate. Sweet wines also complement spicy food well.
- For salty and oily dishes, sparkling wines or bubbles are your best option to balance the flavors.
Popular Wines for Seafood
When selecting a bottle of wine, you will usually choose between red or white wine. Although white wine is a more popular pairing, you will discover that many delicious red wines will also complement the flavors of the sea. Re you ready to find out what wine with seafood tastes better? Here are some of the most widely selected wines when enjoying a seafood feast in no particular order.
Cava, Champagne, or Prosecco
First on the list are sparkling wines. Popularly consumed on special occasions or during Sunday brunch, sparkling wines pair perfectly with seafood. These wines have a citrusy taste with notes of vanilla and toast.
These wines will go well with fried food, such as tempura or crab cakes. For the more sophisticated taste buds, sparkling wines also go well with caviar.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a white wine made of the green-skinned grape variety. It is popularly produced in the wine valleys of France and California, but delicious Chardonnays can also be sourced from New Zealand, Italy, and South Africa. Depending on where your bottle is coming from, it can have a sparkling finish or be aged well in oak.
This wine will go well with white-fleshed fish and shellfish. Common food pairings include halibut, tilapia, salmon, scallops, lobster, raw oysters, clam chowder, and steamed crab or crab cakes. The famous lobster roll sold during the summer season also goes well with Chardonnay.
Pinot Noir
This next wine is a red wine called Pinot Noir is a moderately dry, medium-bodied red wine with medium to high acidity. It is a popular wine due to its mildly fruity tones and smooth finish. It is produced in most wine valleys all over the globe.
Pinot Noir is excellent when paired with either delicate or rich fish. Some wine enthusiasts consider it the best red wine with seafood. Have a glass of this wine with some white fish, salmon, and tuna. This wine also pairs perfectly with shellfish such as oysters, mussels, lobster, and crab.
Riesling
Riesling is a white wine variety, most popularly produced in Germany. It can suit the taste of new and seasoned wine drinkers alike, as the wine can be produced to be very dry or very sweet. It is a light-bodied wine that pairs well with seafood and spicy cuisines.
Riesling can be paired with fleshy fish such as salmon and tuna. Aside from spicy flavors, it also goes well with the natural flavors of the sea, pairing excellently with raw oysters and steamed mussels. You won’t go wrong with pairing a Riesling with crawfish and dishes with distinct herb flavors.
Sauvignon Blanc
Another white wine, Sauvignon Blanc, is highly popular all over the globe. It is a staple of the wine vineyards of New Zealand but can also be found in the vineyards of the USA, Italy, Chile, and South Africa. It is a medium to light-bodied wine with citrus and berry flavors.
Sauvignon Blanc is a great pairing with steamed shellfish. It also complements and enhances delicate fish flavors, like halibut, sole, sea bass, and tilapia. Seafood cooked in herb-based sauces also goes well with this wine. Ceviche, as well as dishes with a citrusy flavor, complement the Sauvignon Blanc as well.
Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a red wine variety that is commonly produced in the Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley in California. The wine has fruity flavors, and cinnamon spice notes that can flood the senses. A variation of the Zinfandel is the White Zinfandel, which is sweet rosé wine.
This red wine is best paired with rich and bold flavors. It perfectly complements salmon or tuna. Dishes made with sweet sauces such as teriyaki will go well with the White Zinfandel. Heavy, cream-based sauces and tomato-based soups also make for a hearty meal with this wine.
Conclusion
This guide on what wine with seafood tastes better will surely help you plan your next meal. If you have yet to find the wine to complement your meal well, try following our guide and taste the difference yourself. Don’t be afraid to explore the different types of wines that are available since everyone has different tastes and preferences. Once you find the perfect complimentary wine for your seafood dinner, you will be amazed at how the flavors can change in an instant.