How to Pair Wine with Seafood

(Source: Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine Facebook page)

Pairing wine with seafood can be decidedly tricky. Every type of fish and..

HOW TO PAIR WINE WITH SEAFOOD

(Source: Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine Facebook page)

Pairing wine with seafood can be decidedly tricky. Every type of fish and shellfish has a unique flavor and texture, which means that there’s no “one size fits all” wine pairing. And as it turns out, that old adage that you should stick to “red wine with meat, white wine with fish”? Not always true.

At Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine, we are an ocean-friendly restaurant which offers a huge variety of seafood types of our menu, from delicious seared diver scallops to raw bar offerings and beyond. To help you determine the best wine to augment your dining experience, we’ve assembled a guide to how to pair wine with seafood. We’ll start with the basics then move into more specific considerations so that you can confidently choose the perfect wine pairing for the next seafood dish you order!

(Source: Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine Facebook page)

Start by learning some classic wine-and-seafood pairings. A great starting point for pairing wine with seafood is to familiarize yourself with some basic and widely accepted classic pairings for various types of seafood. By learning these pairing suggestions, you’ll have a great baseline of knowledge for choosing wine to pair with seafood.

Thin flaky fish

What it is: Light, flaky-textured and mild-flavored white fish which typically come as very thin filets, such as tilapia, haddock, or sole.

Wine pairing: Refreshing white wines with a zesty kick are a great way to amp up the delicate flavor of these filets. Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are all great picks; Champagne or sparkling wine also makes for a great pairing. 

Medium flaky fish

What it is: Fish that is still quite flaky, but a thicker and firmer than the delicate varieties listed above. Examples include trout, catfish, cod, and Chilean sea bass.

Wine pairing: As the texture is medium as opposed to light, medium and heavier-bodied white wines match well. Chardonnay and rich California Sauvignon Blancs work well. For a contrast, you might opt for a Dry Riesling. If possible, seek out white wines aged in oak!

Firm, meaty fish

What it is: Firm fish with a meaty texture; some filets will even be referred to as “steaks”. Examples include salmon, mahi mahi, swordfish, and tuna.

Wine pairing: These fish are assertive in texture and flavor, so they need an assertive wine to match. Rich, buttery white wines like Chardonnay or Viognier work excellently; rosé wines are also a great pairing. These meaty fish can also work well with certain reds such as Pinot Noir.

Salty fish

What it is: Strongly favored fish that have a robust, ocean sea salt flavor.

Wine pairing: Choose an assertively flavored wine that can stand up to the salt but contrasts enough so you’re not left totally parched. Champagne, Dry Rosé, or Riesling are all good choices. Some red wines such as Pinot Noir may make a good pairing too, particularly if the fish in question is prepared with more earthy flavors.

Shellfish

What it is: The sector of seafood including mollusks and crustaceans, including crab, clams, oysters, shrimp, and scallops.

Wine pairing: Sweet and briny, shellfish pair well with white wines such as Chablis or Muscadet; for more richly flavored shellfish dishes, try a White Burgundy or Champagne/sparkling wine. 

(Source: Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine Facebook page)

Other considerations for pairing wine and seafood. Now that you’ve learned some basics about pairing fish and other seafood with wine, refine your choice. Consider these things to really tailor your wine pairing to the specific dish you’ve chosen. 

Preparation method: The way in which seafood is prepared can have a big impact on what wine you choose for a pairing. For instance, grilled shrimp might call for a more zesty, full bodied white wine to balance out the smoky grilled flavor. On the other hand, fried shrimp (such as our Crispy Rock Shrimp, made with Gochujang, and served with Japanese style aioli) might call for either a sweeter wine or perhaps a sparkling wine to provide an element of contrast. 

Other ingredients: What other ingredients are featured in the dish at hand? This can affect which wine you choose. For instance, consider our Big-Eye Tuna Pizza, which is made with truffle mustard, red onions, and micro shiso. While you might choose to pair a basic filet of tuna with a white wine, in this case, the untraditional “pizza” ingredients include plenty of earthy flavors, so this might be an instance where you’d pair this meaty-textured fish with a red wine such as Pinot Noir.

Spice and sauce: Take particular care when pairing wines with dishes featuring a distinct spice flavor or assertively flavored sauce. Often, spices and sauces will be the dominant flavor in a given dish, so they should be considered strongly when choosing a wine. For example, our Lobster Carpaccio, which is made with crispy shallots, sherry ponzu, and brown butter aioli, includes plenty of umami and rich buttery flavor. Opting for a buttery white wine will bring out all of these flavors and make your meal even more delicious.

Ask your server for suggestions! Maybe you’re at a loss for how to pair the dish you’ve chosen with the right wine. Or perhaps the item in question isn’t always made with the same ingredients. For instance, at Lionfish, our Market “Ceviche” is always made with pomegranate, avocado, radish, mezcal, and lime, but the actual melange of seafood included will depend on what is freshest on the day you’ve come to visit, which can affect which wine you’d choose. Your server and our skilled mixologists are bound to have the perfect solution to your pairing dilemma!

(Source: Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine Facebook page)

Remember, it’s ok to break the rules. What to do if your favorite type of fish pairs best with Chardonnay, but you don’t like that type of wine? Ultimately, you shouldn’t choose a pairing just because it’s suggested. If you love a particular type of wine or even prefer a cocktail, go for it! You’re in control of your dining experience. Choose your own adventure!

Wine has the power to elevate a meal to a truly memorable experience. By educating yourself on the best wine pairings with seafood, you’ll be better able to enjoy the best repast possible at Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine! We hope to see you soon.

What’s your favorite wine and seafood pairing?