Why One Favorite Wine Variety Works So Well With Salmon

Pairing a hearty, flavorful salmon with the right corked bottle of vino can take your meal from good to unforgettable. And if you opt for a screw top bottle, no worries — some argue they're just as good, if not better than the traditional cork variety. As for what wine connoisseurs think about salmon and wine pairings, we talked to Sunseeker Resort Executive Chef Kory Foltz about his expert insight on the best wine to pair with salmon. While the conventional advice is usually to pair salmon with white wine, particularly when cooking, he suggests a surprising, but fitting alternative. "Pinot Noir is my go to pairing with salmon," he says. "Light to medium body, has bright acidity and works great with grilled salmon, salmon with a rich sauce, or even salmon with mushrooms and herbs."

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As Foltz described, Pinot Noir brings a refreshing yet earthy taste to a meal, making it a complementary pick for a heartier, nourishing fish like salmon. Most bottles of Pinot Noir offer light notes of red fruit including cherries and berries, as well as an earthy, spiced aroma. These delicate natural flavors work well to complement salmon's buttery and strong flavors without overpowering the meal. The wine also typically has a shining acidity, allowing it to serve as a palate cleanser in between bites of a rich meal.

More wines to pair with salmon

If you don't have a bottle of Pinot Noir in your cabinet, fortunately this fatty fish pairs beautifully with a diverse range of wines. While Pinot Noir is a superb choice, another light red like Gamay also complements buttery sauces and fattier cuts well. Gamay is a truly refreshing red wine that, uniquely, is best served chilled, which you can achieve quicker with this water chilling hack. For white wine lovers, full-bodied varieties like Chardonnay or a flowery Sauvignon Blanc work well with a recipe starring creamy, herbal sauces or citrus-filled salmon. The diverse sweetness levels of white wine also help it adapt to many different recipes, like salmon with a mushroom white wine reduction or a filet marinated in a creamy lemon and rosemary sauce.

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If you prefer rosé, with its floral and fruity notes, a classic Grenache blend is suitable. Coming typically in more delicate blends, this pink wine shouldn't overpower your salmon dish. Pair it with a lighter meal like a citrus-filled salmon salad. If sparkling wines are your drink of choice consider enjoying a bubbly glass of Prosecco or Champagne with a simple smoked salmon or a creamy salmon dish like a salmon pasta with Alfredo sauce.

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