Balancing acidity, body, and flavor so that the wine does not overwhelm the seafood. The goal is to enhance both. The key is to match the wine’s intensity with the seafood flavor profile. But with any food pairing, consider the cooking method as well as the sauces or flavors used.
Enjoy this fun and informative Seafood & Wine Pairing episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Wine Time with Peggy” Podcast with Peggy Fiandaca of LDV Winery, and Sena Wheeler of Sena Sea. You can also listen/download it on Podbean.
Core Pairing Principles
Match the weight: Light, flaky fish (cod, tilapia, sole) pair best with light, crisp whites like Pinot Grigio, Albariño, or Sauvignon Blanc. Meaty fish (salmon, tuna, swordfish) can handle fuller-bodied whites or light reds
Mirror the preparation: Grilled or charred fish benefits from wines with texture (oaked Chardonnay, orange wine), while raw shellfish calls for crisp, mineral-driven whites or sparkling wines.
Complement the sauce:
Butter/cream sauces pair with rich whites (oaked Chardonnay, Viognier).
Tomato-based sauces choose medium-bodied red wines (Merlot, Chianti) or dry rosé.
Citrus/herb sauces open aromatic white wines (Riesling, Chenin Blanc).
Best Wines by Seafood
White fish (cod, halibut, sea bass): Chablis, White Burgundy, Vinho Verde, Pinot Grigio.
Shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels): Chardonnay (buttery/oaked). Albariño, Prosecco, Champagne.
Oysters & raw bar: Muscadet, Blanc de Blancs Champagne.
Salmon & tuna: Pinot Noir, Grenache, dry rosé, Chablis, Beaujolais.
Seafood pasta with tomato sauce: Merlot, Chianti, Petite Sirah.
Grilled/smoky seafood: Oaked Chardonnay, orange wine, Petite Sirah.
Final Tips
Acidity is your friend: High-acid whites cut through richness and cleanse the palate.
Avoid tannic reds with delicate fish oils — they create metallic bitterness.
Rosé is versatile: Dry rosé works with grilled fish, while Provence rosé shines with shrimp.
Sparkling wines add freshness to briny or fatty seafood.
Sablefish with Chimichurri. Recipe by Peggy Fiandaca featuring wild-caught black cod from Sena Sea
Peggy’s Fish & Seafood Recipes:
Learn more about LDV Winery at https://ldvwinery.com/
Listen to more episodes of Big Blend Radio’s “Wine Time with Peggy” Podcast: https://wine-time-peggy.podbean.com/