Best Wines for Salmon

When looking to pair a wine, no dish is more versatile in terms of wine selection than salmon. Depending on how it is prepared, in conjunction with sauces and spices, so many wines lend themselves to this popular fish. Wines can be chosen based either on the texture of the fish and can either complement or contrast with the dish. White go well with any fish, but if your salmon is prepared and cooked with a white wine, a red in the glass will appeal due to the contrast. Heavy or smooth, reds are usually the most considered, because of the rich and full flavor of the fish.

If you are not quite sure how to go about a selection, consider one of the ten choices here.

1. For butter sauces, try a California Chardonnay. The dryness will offset the buttery oils.

2. Also good with buttery salmon is white Burgundy. This is again a dry white, best with butter.

3. Heavily spiced, raw, or plain salmon goes well with Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is smooth and velvety. This rich wine plays with the spices and contrasts with the texture.

4. Wellington style salmon can be paired with Champaign. Salmon is one fish that will not be overpowered by the bubbly.

5. Sauvignon Blanc is another white that will work with salmon of all sorts, but only if necessary. It ranks on the low-end of the pairings.

6. Burgundy, dark and rich will go with salmon and delight the palate.

Amongst the best wine for salmon is the Pinot Gris. It has been called by Steve Pitcher, "Salmon's Best Wine Friend." The texture and acidity of Pinot Gris is the perfect balance for salmon and other meaty fish. The best of the Pinot Gris is as follows according to www.sallys-place.com :

1. 1994 Oak Knoll Pinot Gris. This year and variety from Willamette Valley is balanced and creamy.

2. 1994 Knudsen Pinot Gris. From Santa Barbara County, this selection is fruity with notes of cherry.

3. 1994 Rex Hill Pinot Gris. This Oregon wine has tinges of oak char and butterscotch.

4. 1994 Elk Cove Pinot Gris. With a touch of melon, and a bit of grassiness, it is earthy and jubilant.

While 1994 is the year of choice, it may not be so easily found. Try another year in place of this one. You will not be disappointed. The best thing about salmon, is that no matter which wine you choose, you will never be far from a home-run.