Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to Pair Wine With Fish and Seafood

Fall is arguably the best time of year to feast, no matter where you live. For those near the ocean or at least a good seafood market, there’s all kinds of autumnal bounty.

Wine can play a key role here, enhancing the flavors of things like fresh blue crab or dishes like cioppino. There are obvious matches made in heaven, such as Muscadet and oysters or grilled salmon and Pinot Noir. But there are lesser-known couplings as well that can be equally resonating, if not even more so.

Related Videos

Another bonus of eating seafood as the days get shorter and chillier? It will remind you of the beach and its many sun-kissed joys. So take a look at some ideas below as you look to incorporate more sea-caught protein to your table, whether it’s fresh from the coast or thawed from your freezer. 

Seafood on table

Swordfish, Wahoo, and Mackerel

Mississippi restaurant Elvie’s features an impressive seafood and wine program, headed by chef Hunter Evans and sommelier Brandi Carter. The former recommends cooking meaty fish like swordfish, wahoo, and mackerel over charcoal with your go-to streak rub of choice. Carter suggests wines like red Burgundy (aka French Pinot Noir) for its minimal tannin content and medium-plus acid to pair with such fish. She also suggests Gruner Veltliner for its high acid and peppery notes as well as Semillon for its roundness, richness, zestiness, and waxy components.

Scallops

Beyond perhaps lobster, there’s hardly a seafood item more decadent than a good scallop. Pan-searing is the way to prepare them, achieving an ideal golden brown outer that locks in flavors and creates a tasty caramelized effect. A lighter and brighter red like Gamay can do well alongside scallops but it’s hard to beat the zesty pop of a good Albariño or the bigger-bodied and sometimes slightly creamy Pinot Blanc.

Shrimp, Crab, and Flounder

Evans likes to cook shrimp, crab, and flounder on the half-shell on the grill. The skin protects the fish from the heat, ensuring the end result retains a delicious amount of moisture. To really bring out the flavors, Carter suggests wines like rosé from the Bandol region, or a Gamay sparkling rosé for its fruit-forward qualities. Also suggested is Voignier given its softness and bitterness Carter likens to almond husks.

Halibut

It’s hard to beat fresh halibut and, on the West Coast, this is a great time of year for the Pacific version. It does great in the pan as well as the grill and can be hit with a simple mix of salt, black pepper, and citrus or something more involved like a mango salsa. Wine-wise, you need to be aware of the mildness of the fish and you don’t want to overpower the subtle sweet and buttery notes. An un-oaked Chardonnay is a great option, as is Sauvignon Blanc with its tropical fruit notes and featherweight freshness.

Snapper, Grouper, and Striped Bass

Chef Evans likes to go the simplistic route with fish like snapper, grouper, and striped bass. They tend to be lighter and more delicate so just a bit of lemon and butter is all they really need. He recommends baking or cooking in a skillet, with some grilled or sautéed veggies to join. As for wine, Carter opts for Muscadet for its acid and saline qualities along with Riesling. She also suggests a blanc vermouth like Mancino Secco.

Editors' Recommendations

Feeling adventurous? 5 of the weirdest cocktails from around the globe
Would you order a cocktail with a pickled human toe? You can in Canada, apparently
unusual and unique cocktails sourtoe cocktail

We all love a good cocktail, but it's easy to tire of the classics. There's nothing wrong with a perfectly frosty, salted-rimmed margarita, or a warm-to-your-bones, cherry-topped old-fashioned, but sometimes, you just want something new. Something that makes you think. Something that, perhaps, gives you a chuckle. These are those cocktails.
Pig's Blood Piña Colada (USA)

Back in 2014, bartender Jason Brown of Chicago's Kinmont restaurant and bar, concocted this cocktail after listening to a Werewolves of London lyric about a werewolf drinking a pina colada. His creativity sparked, and the "Werewolves of London" cocktail was born.

Read more
The 8 best protein shakes that are ready-to-go
These shakes come with all the good stuff, and none of the crap
Svelte

With as busy as we have become as a society, we always seem to be on the go. This can make life challenging, especially when it comes to wellness goals. In a perfect world, you could hit the gym hard, crush a workout, then immediately refuel with a balanced, home-cooked meal. But, since life happens and we are always on the go, it’s not always feasible to take the time to actually cook up a muscle-building meal right after your workout. Whether you’re on the go and short on time, or just can't stomach a full meal after exercising, having a quick and easy, protein-packed option that doesn’t require kitchen time, is a helpful alternative to refuel your body and maximize your results.

This is where protein shakes come in handy. Numerous ready-to-drink shakes are available that provide muscle-building protein, vitamins, minerals, and calories to fortify your body after a workout. They offer the benefits of protein powders with the convenience of eliminating the need for a shaker bottle, or high-speed blender, let alone making a mess with powders. Simply give the bottle a quick shake, pop the top, and you’re good to go.

Read more
The 7 best CBD-infused drinks we tried in 2023
These tasty CBD-infused drinks will have you feeling calmer in no time
Cans o RisEau cbd drinks.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been hot for a while now, making its way into everything from CBD teas to a variety of CBD coffee brands. If you're wondering "what is CBD?" — it's a naturally occurring compound present in cannabis plants. According to the World Health Organization, it's not addictive, has a solid safety profile, and won't get you high. In clinical trials, it's been effective in the treatment of epilepsy and shows promise in treating a number of other conditions.

In addition to CBD-infused water, tea, soda, and seltzer, another growing trend is CBD-infused nonalcoholic spirits and cocktails. The adult beverage market is flooded with CBD products promising to help you relax, sleep, destress, and mellow out, all without the hangover you'd get from booze (CBD is considered a controlled substance and can't be legally added to booze, at least not yet). We've rounded up a few of our favorite CBD-infused drinks below, from CBD cocktails to CBD water, so you can work your relaxation into your daily routine no matter where you are.

Read more