Learn about white wine pairings for the four different groups of fin fish and other seafood from the knowledgeable team at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits.
Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits is the leading retailer of premium beer, wine and liquor in the Cayman Islands. Visit our six convenient liquor store locations on Grand Cayman. Or order everything you need from us online, including mixers and soft drinks, and have us deliver it FREE to your home, office, vacation villa, resort hotel, or anywhere else in Grand Cayman.
Wine and Seafood
When pairing wine with fish and seafood, white wines rule – but which ones? In general, delicate fish will go well with a lighter white wine and a heavy fish will pair better with a richer, full-bodied wine. Here are some suggestions:
Mild Flavored, Lean & Flaky Fish
This category includes sea bass, branzino, black sea bass, flounder, perch, sole, fluke, tilapia, wild striped bass, halibut, pollock, and haddock.
Wine pairings you will love:
- 2016 Principato Pinot Grigio from Venezia, Italy
- 2017 Vionta Albariño from Galicia, Spain
- Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
Medium Flavored & Textured Fish
This group includes firmer fish that tend to hold up to richer sauces and ingredients, such as trout, arctic char, catfish, red snapper, grouper, cod, haddock, redfish, halibut, monkfish, Chilean seabass, and Escobar.
Wine pairings you will love:
- Louis Latour Chardonnay d’Ardeche from Vin de Pays, France
- 2017 Rochioli Estate Sauvignon Blanc from the Russian River Valley in California
- 2016 Chateau Lamothe Madame Etienne Blanc (Sémillon) from Bordeaux, France
Firm & Meaty Fish
In this category you will find fish that are firm and meaty with a steak-like texture, including tuna, bluefish, salmon, mahi mahi, shark, monkfish and swordfish.
Wine pairings you will love:
- 2016 Jordan Chardonnay from California’s Russian River Valley
- 2017 Matua Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
- Prum Essence Riesling from Mosel, Germany
Strong, Intensely Flavored Fish
The fish in this group are salty and taste like the sea, such as anchovies, sardines, herring and mackerel.
Wine pairings you will love:
- Pares Balta Brut Nature Cava from Penedes, Spain
- 2016 Vina Maipo Sauvignon Blanc from the Central Valley in Chile
- 2017 Rickety Bridge Paulina’s Reserve Chenin Blanc from the Franschhoek Valley, South Africa
Raw Fish & Shellfish
This category of raw fish and shellfish includes ceviche, sushi, scallops, clams, oysters, prawns, green lip mussels, shrimp, lobster and crab.
Wine pairings you will love:
- 2017 J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Gris from the Russian River Valley, California
- 2015 Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
- 2016 Cap Royal Bordeaux Blanc from Bordeaux, France
If you need help with white wine pairings for seafood while you’re in Grand Cayman, visit Jacques Scott Wine & Spirits where you’ll enjoy an incomparable selection and expert customer service.
