What red wine with fish?

You have just cooked some fish, but as bad luck would have it, your last bottle of white wine is no longer there. Surely you are not going to serve red wine with fish? And yet, it is possible. Some red wines pair particularly well with fish, as long as you avoid the tannins. One question then arises: what red wine with fish? The answer is waiting for you in this article.

Fish flesh and red wine

Fish has a very particular flesh. Indeed, the proteins in fish flesh are completely different from the proteins found in meat. In that sense, the tannins present in red wine react differently with these proteins. So, in the case of fish, the tannins are felt much more during the tasting of a red wine. The consequence is immediate: if you want to drink red wine with fish, you have to turn to a red wine with as few tannins as possible.

Choosing a red wine with fish

As you will have gathered, if you want to drink red wine with fish, you have to choose a wine with few tannins. To be in harmony with the dish you are eating, one grape variety is there for the taking. Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with fish. The softness of the wines made from this grape variety and their finesse will allow a pairing with fish. Generally speaking, to drink red wine with fish, it is interesting to turn to a Burgundy wine. There you will find rather fine wines that will lift your dish. So choose wines from Beaune, Volnay or Mercurey to pair a wine with fish. You can also choose a Côte de Nuits. That said, it is worth pointing out that Pinot Noir is not found only in Burgundy, so you can turn to other regions. Alsace, the Côte Roannaise and the Loire Valley are waiting for you. What is more, if you serve a stronger fish, such as a tuna steak, or if you accompany your fish with a tomato-based sauce, you can turn to slightly more powerful wines. So you can choose a wine from the Rhône Valley, based on Syrah. A Crozes Hermitage is typically a red wine you should drink with this type of fish. Finally, one of the secrets to knowing which red wine to drink with fish lies in its vintage. For the pairing between the red wine and the fish to be perfect, choose a rather old wine. The acidity of the red wine and its tannins will be soothed by its ageing. The red wine will thus pair better with the fish.

Which fish should you eat with red wine?

Let us turn the question around. You absolutely want to drink red wine but you do not know which fish to have. One thing is certain: avoid steamed fish. They could turn out bland, especially paired with a red wine. On the other hand, fish cooked on the plancha, or even on the barbecue, pair much better with red wine. Grilling also helps pair the fish with a red wine. Similarly, fish cooked in a court-bouillon will bring out the aroma of the spices if eaten with red wine. Worth noting, you will also have to think about the sauce you want for your fish. A tip: a tomato-based sauce will allow a better pairing with the red wine. So now you know which red wine to choose with fish. It is up to you to surprise your guests with this unexpected pairing!