Holiday Wine Pairings for Smoked Seafood

With the holidays fast approaching and social calendars getting busy, many of our members start to serve our smoked salmon and tuna at dinner parties, so we thought we would share some sumptuous wine selections that pair perfectly! 

Our friend and Skipper Otto member, Sean Nelson, who is also a professional sommelier, and the owner of Somm Wine Guy Consulting  has kindly joined us again to share his wine knowledge for everyone to enjoy.

Sean has selected 3 BC wines, and 3 international wines, that pair perfectly with our cold smoked salmon lox and sliced albacore tuna, our candied salmon and our peppered salmon strips. He notes that when pairing wine with seafood, you need to take into consideration the flavours, acidity and richness of the dish, not just the species of fish or shellfish you are eating.

If you try any of these wine pairings – email us at [email protected] or share it on Instagram or Facebook and let us know what you think!

Cold Smoked – Sockeye Salmon Lox / Sliced Albacore Tuna

Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Riesling

One of the most iconic Rieslings in British Columbia, is the Sperling Old Vines. The 40-year-old vines produce a wine of significant concentration, with ripe citrus peel, bruised apple, ginger, honey, and crushed stone. The vibrant acidity cuts through the oily richness of the Skipper Otto cold smoked Salmon Lox or Albacore Tuna. Plus, its balance of freshness with just a hint of sweetness, make it a perfect brunch wine. Bagels anyone?

Callejuela Manzanilla Sherry

If you’re looking for a unique option that pairs with the Skipper Otto Sliced Albacore Tuna or Salmon Lox, look no further than this dry sherry from Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain. Aged under a layer of protective yeast, the wine has notes of preserved lemon, green apple, Mediterranean herbs, almond, white pepper, and sea spray. Perfectly complementing the texture and balancing the fat in these morsels of delicious seafood.

Candied Smoked Salmon

Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer

Gewürztraminer and smoked salmon are classic pairings in Alsace so let’s put a local spin on it with the Skipper Otto Candied Smoked Salmon and the Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer. The oily texture of Gewürztraminer matches the richness of the candied salmon and the intense notes of papaya, lychee, ginger, and rose petals keep pace with the bold flavours of the salmon.

Villa Teresa Organic Prosecco

This Villa Teresa Organic Prosecco has just enough fruitiness and sweetness to match the Skipper Otto Candied Smoked Salmon. The bubbles helping to cleanse the palate, while flavours of green apple, apricot, tangerine, and  honeysuckle add complexity to this combination. Try it alongside a creamy Alfredo pasta with chunks of candied salmon to really let the wine shine!

Peppered Smoked Salmon Strips

Robin Ridge Gamay Noir

Gamay Noir is a relative of Pinot Noir but typically has a touch more spice and darker fruit. The Robin Ridge Gamay Noir comes from certified organic vineyards in the Similkameen Valley, in BC. Juicy black cherry, plum, and raspberry fruit balanced by layers of dried flowers, cinnamon spice, and white pepper. The finish lingers with that gentle spice character which perfectly complements the Skipper Otto Peppered Smoked Salmon.

Frico by Scarpetta Lambrusco Cans

Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Emilia-Romagna in central Italy. Juicy red fruit flavours, soft tannins, and vibrant acidity make this a perfect match for Skipper Otto Smoked Salmon Strips. Plus being in a can, the Frico Lambrusco is super portable, just like the smoked salmon strips as an easy holiday appetizer to bring to family and friends!

Summary

All of these wines are all widely available at BC Liquor Stores across the province. For members in other provinces, your local provincial liquor store is likely to carry them, or something very similar, so feel free to substitute and try something similar or experiment and make up your own pairings. We can’t wait to see what you think!

To learn more about Sean, his wine club and sommelier services and upcoming tastings, give him a follow at @sommwineguy or read more on his website – sommwineguy.com.

Note: We want to acknowledge that we appreciate and respect that some of our followers and members choose not to drink alcohol for various personal or health reasons. For those that do partake, we hope you enjoy this blog post.

Source: Sean Nelson, Somm Wine Guy Consulting