Which Red Wine Goes Best with Fish?



Curious about which red wine goes best with fish? Check out the suggestions below from the wine experts at Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits!

Jacques Scott Wine & Spirits is the leading retailer of premium beer, wine and liquor in the Cayman Islands. Visit our convenient liquor store locations on Grand Cayman, or order everything you need from our online store, including mixers and soft drinks, and we’ll deliver it FREE to your home, office, vacation villa, resort hotel, or anywhere else in Grand Cayman. If we receive your order before 3:00 pm, we’ll deliver it the same day (Monday through Saturday).

Red Wine & Seafood Pairings

Which Red Wine Goes Best with Fish?Pairing wine with fish and seafood doesn’t have to be complicated. In general, go for something medium to light bodied, but don’t be afraid to be adventurous to find a combination you love! Our stock includes great wines from all regions and all price points.

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.

Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir is a moderately dry, light-to-medium bodied wine that feature strong, oaky overtones, delicate aromatics and rich textures. It pairs well with both hearty fish like salmon or tuna, and delicately cooked white fish or poached salmon, and shellfish, including oysters, crab, lobster, and mussels. We recommend the Chateau St Jean Pinot Noir from Sonoma County, California.

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 Rioja goes well with almost anything, in the case of seafood, be sure to pair it with something that will stand up to the strength of the wine, such as paella and Mediterranean-style fish stews. We recommend the Marques De Riscal Rioja Reserva from Rioja, Spain.

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 rich seafood dishes like paella.

Zinfandel: This well-known wine grape is widely cultivated in California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys. It is lighter in color than other reds, but has a bold taste with notes of raspberry, chocolate and cinnamon. Zinfandel has high acidity and moderate tannins, making it a great match for grilled or pan-seared salmon. Try the Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California.

Interested in red wine that goes best with fish? Jacques Scott Wines & Spirits in the Cayman Islands can help you decide which ones to try and will surprise you with the most affordable prices.