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Seafood · Wine pairing

What wine goes with salmon?

Salmon is rich enough for light reds. Pinot Noir is the famous match; dry rosé and Chardonnay are just as good depending on how you cook it.

The rule: Oily fish can take a light, low-tannin red.

By Rate This Wine editors · Updated · How we rate

Salmon

Photo: DanaTentis, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 3 best wines with salmon

  1. Pinot Noir

    1 Pinot Noir Light-bodied red

    Silky, low-tannin red that matches salmon’s richness, especially grilled or cedar-planked.

    Serve 55-60°F Decent from $15; good from $25; Burgundy can be any price

  2. Rosé

    2 Rosé Dry pink wine

    Dry rosé is a fresh, easy all-rounder for salmon salads and summer grilling.

    Serve 45-50°F From $10; top Provence $25+

  3. Chardonnay

    3 Chardonnay Full-bodied white (oaked) or crisp (unoaked)

    Oaked Chardonnay for salmon with butter or cream sauce; unoaked for poached.

    Serve 48-55°F Good bottles from $12; top Burgundy $50+

Best on a budget: A Provence-style rosé or Chilean Pinot Noir, around $12.

Also good

Gamay (Beaujolais)Sauvignon BlancPinot Grigio / Pinot GrisViognier

What to avoid

  • Tannic reds like Cabernet. Tannin plus fish oil can taste metallic.

It depends how you cook it

If you’re having…Pour
Grilled or plankedPinot Noir or Grenache rosé.
Smoked salmonChampagne or dry Riesling.
Teriyaki salmonOff-dry Riesling or Pinot Noir.
Salmon with lemon & dillSauvignon Blanc.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drink red wine with salmon?

Yes: Pinot Noir is one of the best salmon wines. Avoid tannic reds like Cabernet.

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