Wine Pairings with Ceviche

Ceviche is a fresh, flavourful dish based on fish marinated with citrus, spices and coriander. Pairing with the right wine should enhance its acidity and freshness, choosing wines with good acidity, minerality and balance. Let’s discover the best wines to pair with ceviche.

Characteristics of Ceviche and General Pairings

The choice of wine depends on several factors:

• Type of fish: sea bass, sea bream, prawns or scallops influence the pairing.
• Marinating: the presence of citrus and spices calls for wines with good acidity and freshness.
• Aromatic intensity of the dish: the use of coriander, chilli and red onion can guide the ideal pairing.

Best Wine and Food Pairings for Ceviche

Recommended White Wines

• Sauvignon Blanc – Perfect for classic ceviche, thanks to its vibrant acidity and herbaceous notes.
• Vermentino di Gallura DOCG – Excellent for ceviche with white fish and citrus, for its minerality and freshness.
• Alsace Riesling – Ideal for ceviche with light spices and chilli, thanks to its fruity note and lively acidity.

Recommended Sparkling Wines

• Champagne Blanc de Blancs – Perfect for ceviche with scallops or prawns, it brings elegance and freshness.
• Franciacorta Brut – Excellent for ceviche with richer, more structured ingredients.

Recommended Rosé Wines

• Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC – An excellent choice for ceviche with chilli or tastier dressings.
• Provence Rosé – Ideal for a touch of freshness without covering the flavour of the fish.

Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing

• Avoid tannic red wines (e.g. Barolo, Amarone) because they overpower the delicacy of raw fish.
• Watch out for overly sweet wines, which would not balance the acidity of the marinade.
• Avoid wines that are too aromatic (e.g. Gewürztraminer) if the ceviche is already rich in spices and citrus.

Specific Pairings for Some Types of Ceviche

• Classic ceviche with lime and coriander → Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne Blanc de Blancs
• Prawn ceviche with citrus → Vermentino di Gallura, Provence Rosé
• Spicy ceviche with chilli and mango → Alsace Riesling, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo
• Scallop ceviche with fresh herbs → Franciacorta Brut, Sauvignon Blanc