Secret Vines Blog
Fish and Red Wine
11th February, 2010
On a recent fishing trip, someone asked me a question I get a lot....
"Tim, what wine should I drink with fish?"
To dispel an old myth, I think the notion of white wine with fish or white meat, and red with red meat is nonsense.
Yes, a crisp, dry white can go perfectly with a delicate fish like whiting o r gar.
But red wine can match beautifully too! In fact, I often prefer a red - particularly with a full flavoured fish like Barramundi, Salmon, Tuna or Ocean Trout.
Try going for something softer in the red department. There are so many different red grapes that go perfectly with fish (as long as they're reasonably light) - Grenache, Mourvedre, Tempranillo, Barbera, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir or even Shiraz can be just the thing.
Some red wines that we've done recently which live in fish and red wine matching heaven are:
The Hewitson ‘Miss Harry', Vigna Bottin Sangiovese and Barbera, Frankland Estate ‘Isolation ridge' Shiraz, Five Geese Grenache Shiraz, Meerea Park Shiraz, Bremerton ‘Selkirk' Shiraz and the Cascabel ‘Joven' Tempranillo.
And remember an old French proverb next time fish is on your menu, for ‘Fish to taste good, it must swim three times: in water, in butter, and in wine'.
Enjoy!
The fish v red wine debate is ongoing but when pinot noir grape in all its forms is a perfect match for the oily finish of the salmon and trout, ocean and river going. I think some of the more full bodied reds may overpower some of the reef fish but if it suits and you like the match then perrrrfect.
Drink on and enjoy..
Cheers
Steve Martin
by Stephen Martin on 15th August, 2010