Best wine to drink with salmon

Do you have salmon on the menu tonight? This delicious pink fish is a firm favourite thanks to its heart-healthy nutrients and meaty texture. Yet finding the right wine pairing for salmon can be challenging. This rich, oily fish can be cooked and prepared in many ways, which means there are many pairing possibilities. So, whether you prefer yours barbecued, poached, grilled or smoked, read on to discover the best wines to drink with salmon.

In this article we are exploring wine pairings for Pacific and Atlantic salmon rather than Australian salmon, which is actually a type of perch-like fish and not a ‘true’ salmon.

Best wines to drink with salmon dishes

Grilled salmon

Grilled salmon fillets are a popular choice for a mid-week meal, served with a squeeze of lemon and some rice, salad or roasted vegetables.

To complement the richness of a grilled salmon fillet, consider a full-bodied white wine. A oak-aged Chardonnay or Viognier will cut through salmon’s oiliness and add balance with their complementary creamy texture and citrus flavours.

If you prefer red wine, opt for an acidic, fruity Gamay, such as Redheads Adelaide Hills Gamay 2023.

Sushi

Salmon takes centre stage when it comes to sushi. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc works perfectly with salmon nigiri or maki, while an aromatic white like Gewürztraminer helps tame the heat of spicy salmon rolls, refreshing your palate between bites. Bright and elegant, Zonte’s Footsteps Excalibur Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2022 is an award-winning white that’s perfect for salmon sushi.

If you prefer red, a light Pinot Noir is the only choice. This is thanks to the wine’s subtle tannins, red fruit flavours and acidity, which complement the umami elements and delicate flavours of sushi without being overpowering. 

If you are eating sushi for a special occasion, why not pair your meal with a glass of classic Champagne or Crémant?

Salmon in cream sauce

Salmon in a cream sauce is an indulgent way to enjoy the fish. This dish often involves poached or roasted salmon bathed in a buttery béarnaise, fresh yoghurt or horseradish-based sauce.

The creamy sauce calls for a white wine with complementary flavours and texture. A Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc would be excellent choices.

Try Willow Bridge G1-10 Geographe Chardonnay 2023 with its intense stone fruit and citrus flavours and elements of French oak.

Smoked salmon

A brunch staple worldwide, smoked salmon can be added to zesty green salads, draped over poached eggs or layered in cream cheese bagels.

It’s intensely flavoured and rich, so you’ll need an equally rich wine to match this style of salmon.

Try a dry sparkling rosé with enough bright acidity to cut through any oiliness. The wine's juicy red fruit flavours can balance the fish's smoky flavour.

Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux Rosé 2021 is a deliciously crisp, strawberry-scented pink fizz from France's famous Limoux wine region.

BBQ salmon

Smoky, slightly charred and incredibly moreish, barbecued salmon is delicious on its own, but it can also be elevated with zesty, fresh marinades and sweet, tangy glazes.

A silky, bright Pinot Noir would complement barbecued salmon's smoky and slightly sweet flavours.

Soumah Sky Ridge Pinot Noir 2022 is a bright style with complementary cherry and savoury notes.

If you prefer white wine, opt for a lightly oaked Chardonnay. Its slight creaminess complements the salmon's meaty texture.

Discover our full selection of red wines and white wines.