Red Wine with Fish

If you are looking for an excellent red wine to serve with your fish, Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits has some suggestions that will enhance your meal.

Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits on Grand Cayman is known for our huge selection of popular international name brand and hard-to-find wines, beers and spirits. Visit our stores, or order online to get everything you need quickly.

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You CAN Drink Red Wine with Fish!

Before choosing a wine to serve with fish, consider both the cooking technique and the flavors of any sauce served with it. Also, fattier, meatier fish like tuna and salmon can handle red wine with softer tannins, but there are exceptions to every rule.

Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied, low tannin wine with a blend of red fruit flavors that features strong, oaky overtones, delicate aromatics and rich textures. The wine’s vibrant acidity will cut through the texture of the fish without being overpowering. It pairs well with both hearty fish like salmon or tuna, shellfish including oysters, crab, lobster, and mussels, and delicately cooked white fish. We recommend the Bread & Butter Pinot Noir from California’s Napa Valley.

Rioja: Rioja, from Spain, is made from a blend of grape varieties, with Tempranillo the dominant grape, and is known for its structure and tannins. While this wine works well with almost anything, when pairing it with seafood, be sure to serve it with something that will stand up to the strength of the wine, such as paella or Mediterranean-style fish stews. We recommend the Marques De Riscal Rioja Reserva from Rioja, Spain.

Cabernet Franc: The Loire Valley in France has a cool climate that makes for a lighter-bodied Cabernet Franc, with spice notes and sometimes intense fruit, but the grape also thrives in regions such as California, Washington State and New York. Cabernet Franc pairs well with meaty fish, such as swordfish, monkfish and salmon, and oily, strongly flavored fish like mackerel or trout.

Syrah: Some of the world’s most famous Syrah wines are the peppery, earthy ones from France, but California, Washington, Oregon, Chile and Argentina also produce complex, rich wines. Try Montes Alpha Syrah from Colchagua Valley, Chile. It pairs beautifully with tuna and rich seafood dishes like paella.

Chianti: Chianti is probably the best-known of all Italian wine districts. Its red wines are primarily based on the Sangiovese grape. The most highly regarded wines come from the Chianti Classico zone and pair well with fish that are rich in natural oils, such as grilled or pan-seared salmon, swordfish or tuna, as well as with fish-based pasta sauces, and fish stews. We recommend the highly rated Marchese Antinori Chianti.

If you need more help with red wine and fish pairings, visit Jacques Scott Wine & Spirits on Grand Cayman where you’ll enjoy an unparalleled wine selection and exceptional customer service.