Wine Pairings with Fried food

Go straight to: Mixed fried food - Fried fish - Light fried food

Fried food, whether fish, vegetables or meat, offers irresistible crunch and rich flavour. Pairing it with the right wine should balance the oiliness of the frying with acidity and freshness. Let's discover the best wines to pair with fried food.


Characteristics of Fried Food and General Pairings

The choice of wine depends on several factors:
  • Type of fried food: fish, vegetables or meat all affect the ideal pairing.
  • Crispness and lightness: fresh, mineral wines help to cleanse the palate.
  • Seasonings and sauces: the use of lemon, mayonnaise or spices can change the perfect pairing.

Best Food and Wine Pairings for Fried Food

Recommended Fresh White Wines

  • Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC – Perfect with lightly fried fish and vegetables, thanks to its freshness.
  • Sauvignon Blanc Alto Adige DOC – Excellent with more aromatic, spicier fried food.
  • Greco di Tufo DOCG – Ideal for mixed fried food with light sauces.

Recommended Sparkling Wines

  • Prosecco Superiore DOCG – Perfect alongside fried fish with its effervescence.
  • Franciacorta Satèn – Excellent with more delicate, crisp fried food.
  • Champagne Brut – Ideal for highlighting the lightness of the fried food and balancing the oiliness.

Recommended Rosé Wines

  • Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC – An excellent choice for mixed fried vegetables and fish.
  • Provence Rosé – Ideal for a touch of freshness without overpowering the fried food.

Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing

  • Avoid very tannic red wines, which could be too intense for the delicacy of the fried food.
  • Watch out for overly aromatic wines, which can overwhelm the natural taste of the fried food.
  • Avoid wines that are too sweet, which could create excessive contrasts with the savouriness of the fried food.

Specific Pairings for Certain Fried Dishes

  • Fried fish → Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Prosecco Superiore
  • Vegetable tempura → Greco di Tufo, Provence Rosé
  • Mixed fried fish and vegetables → Franciacorta Satèn, Sauvignon Blanc
  • Fried squid with lemon → Champagne Brut, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo

Fried food: My personal top three

  • 1
    Vernaccia di Oristano 2004 - Silvio Carta

    Vernaccia di Oristano 2004 - Silvio Carta

    • Type: Vino Bianco
    • Region: Italy, Oristano, Sardinia
    Discover this wine
  • 2
    Alghero Torbato Spumante Brut Metodo Classico DOC “Oscarì” 2022 - Sella & Mosca​

    Alghero Torbato Spumante Brut Metodo Classico DOC “Oscarì” 2022 - Sella & Mosca​

    • Type: Sparkling wine or Champagne
    • Region: Alghero, Italy, Sardinia
    Discover this wine
  • 3
    Tancaré Vermentino di Gallura DOCG 2023 - Giogantinu

    Tancaré Vermentino di Gallura DOCG 2023 - Giogantinu

    • Type: Vino Bianco
    • Region: Gallura, Italy, Sardinia
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All those I have tried