Wine Pairings with Smoked salmon

Smoked salmon is a refined, versatile ingredient, prized for its softness and its intense, savoury taste. The perfect pairing should bring out the smoky note without covering the delicacy of the fish. Let's discover the best wines to choose.

Characteristics of Smoked Salmon and General Pairings

• Palate: savoury, rich, smoky.
• Texture: soft, velvety.
• Preparations: served plain, on crostini, with butter or creamed spreads.

Best Food and Wine Pairings for Smoked Salmon

Fresh, Mineral White Wines

• Chablis AOC – Fresh and mineral, perfect for balancing the richness.
• Loire Sauvignon Blanc – Aromatic and citrusy, ideal for cleansing the palate.
• Dry Riesling Renano – Excellent with the smoky note.

Elegant Rosés

• Chiaretto del Garda DOC – Fresh and light, ideal with salmon canapés.
• Tavel AOC – More structured, perfect with salmon served with creamy sauces.

Refined Sparkling Wines

• Champagne Brut – Classic and elegant, it brings out the savouriness.
• Franciacorta Brut – Creamy and enveloping, excellent with salmon on toast.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid tannic red wines, which would create unpleasant contrasts.
• Watch out for overly sweet wines, which do not harmonise with the savouriness.
• Avoid wines that are too light, which would be overpowered.

Specific Pairings

• Plain smoked salmon → Chablis, Champagne Brut
• Salmon and butter canapés → Franciacorta Brut, Tavel
• Salmon with cream cheese → Sauvignon Blanc, Chiaretto del Garda
• Salmon with dill and lemon → Riesling Renano, Sauvignon Blanc