Pairing Wine with Salmon
What kind of wine should you pair with your salmon, and why?
It mainly comes down to how you prepare the salmon that really determines what wine to pair with it. Salmon is a fatty fish, so it needs a stronger wine to stand up to it. It has rich fats, making a bitter and acidic wine a good general match. Salmon itself is not acidic, but those rich fats work well in place of acidity, and if you add a citrus glaze it would make the acidity in the wine harmonize better. Salmon is naturally mild but also vibrant, its actually able to work well with many different kinds of flavors.
Deciding on a wine to go with your Salmon can be complex because of all the different options in the types of salmon and how it’s prepared, so we decided to include various types of combinations because everyone has a different taste and preference!
Pairing Wine with Salmon and how it varies with various preparation methods
It’s not usual to pair a sweet wine with salmon, though a sweet glaze can call for a semi-dry wine. Reach for a rose or even a semi-dry Riesling, as both have enough lift to help enhance the sweet glaze but also pair the sweeter elements to the glazed salmon.
Reds, whites and even a rose can work as long as they are low in tannins and higher in acidity. A fuller white wine works well with pan fried salmon which becomes heavier and firmed when prepared this way.
Heavier salmon dishes like smoked salmon or ones with creamy and buttery sauces can call for a sparkling wine. Sparkling wines have the ability to lift up those heavier flavors and textures. For smoked or grilled salmon, try a prosecco. Because the acidity will pull the rich flavors of the salmon, it will also lift the heavier smokey flavors too. For a cream sauced salmon dish, grab some Pinot Grigio. This is a dry wine with a smooth finish and has the perfect amount of structure to complement but also add a textured layer to the creamy dish.
For baked or poached salmon, a classic dry wine with medium body and high acidity like a Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma would be an excellent pick. This is a medium bodied red wine with heavier levels of acidity but also a smooth, fruity finish making it a great option. Also, wine aged in barrels can have a real punch of flavor which would further enrich the already rich, natural fats and fresh flavors of the salmon.
Want to make your own wine to go with your next pairing?
Musto Wine Grape Company is here to help. Give us a call at (877) 812-1137 to speak with one of our Crush Crew members to get you on track to making the wine of your dreams!
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
If you’re obsessed with wings like I am, but are looking for a healthier alternative, try these air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites! Cauliflower has a similar texture to potatoes, but without all the carbs. There are a few way you can prepare these, but I’ve been obsessed with my air fryer lately so that’s what I’ll be using for this recipe.
What you’ll need:
About 5 cups of cauliflower, chopped into florets
Buffalo Sauce – Frank’s Mild Buffalo sauce is my all time favorite!
Unsalted butter
How you’ll do it:
Spray the cooking basket in the air fryer with some non stick cooking spray
Add the cauliflower and cook at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Toss the cauliflower and add back in for about 5 minutes if they aren’t crispy yet. (Try cooking the cauliflower in smaller batches if they come out soggy – I’ve noticed if you over pack the air fryer they tend to not crisp evenly.)
Add cold butter to the warmed buffalo sauce and add to a large bowl, and pour the sauce mixture on stop and toss to fully coat.
Serve with blue cheese dressing for dipping and carrots and celery sticks to serve on the side.
The impossible pairing:
Yes, you can pair a wine (actually, quite a few!) to go with your buffalo dishes. A slightly sweet white wine will compliment the buffalo sauce the best. Reach for a Champagne, Moscato D’Asti or a Riesling. The fruity flavors and the low level of tannins really works with the buttery spice and they also help with the heat!
Summer Apple Broccoli Salad
This crunchy, refreshing apple broccoli salad is a perfect summer barbecue side. Not only does it go great with virtually any barbecue food, ranging from chicken to steak and even burgers – it’s also healthy without compromising tasty! I know you can’t wait for this one so let’s get started!
What you’ll need:
2 medium heads of broccoli, chop into small florets
1/2 cup of shredded carrots
1/4 cup diced red onions
2 large apples, chopped into small pieces
1/3 cup nuts of choice. I love roasted almonds and sunflower seeds
1/3 cup dried cranberries. Ocean spray’s pomegranate infused dried cranberries are delicious!
1 cup of plain greek yogurt
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sweetener of choice, I personally love using honey.
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
What you need to do:
Combine broccoli, carrots, red onions, apples, nuts of choice, and dried cranberries in a bowl.
In a separate small bowl, combine greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, sale and pepper and whisk together.
Coat salad in dressing and toss, then serve chilled!
Wait, what about some wine to go with it?
You didn’t think we’d leave you hanging on that, did you? We would never! In general, crisp white wines are a go-to when serving raw vegetables, so try a zesty Pinot Grigio with this salad. The smooth flavors and crisp acidity allows this kind of wine to be served with lighter dishes without being too overwhelming, perfect for this salad!
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