Wine And Dine: Salmon Terrine's Perfect Pair

Salmon terrine is a dish that is perfect for summer and relatively easy to prepare. It can be made ahead of time and served as a refreshing meal in warm weather. When it comes to wine pairings, the ideal choice is a wine that is refreshing yet has enough flavour to stand up to the richness of the dish. While light and delicate wines may be overwhelmed, heavier wines can seem too ponderous. The best options are those with forceful fruit flavours and little to no oak influence. For a white wine, a New Zealand Albarino or a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are excellent choices. If you prefer a red, a Pinot Noir can work surprisingly well, especially when served slightly chilled on a hot day.

Pinot Noir from California

Salmon terrine is a refreshing dish, so the wine you choose to accompany it should be equally refreshing. A Pinot Noir from California is a great choice, as it is a versatile wine that can be paired with many different foods. The cool climate in California's wine regions allows for a slow ripening process, which helps to retain the grape's acidity. This good acidity level makes Pinot Noir a great pairing with foods that are high in acidity, like salmon terrine.

Pinot Noir is also known for its highly perfumed, delicate aromatics and red fruit flavours that will not overpower the salmon terrine. The softer tannins in this wine make it a good match for the salmon, and the moderate alcohol levels of many California Pinot Noirs suit a variety of food pairings.

When choosing a Pinot Noir to pair with salmon terrine, opt for one from a cooler growing region. The Russian River Valley in California produces a fresh and fruity Pinot Noir with flavours of ripe cherries and sweet spice that can hold its own with salmon. Serving this wine slightly chilled will also help to balance the richness of the terrine.

While Pinot Noir is a versatile wine, there are some foods that should be avoided when making a pairing. Seafood such as herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and mussels are not the best match for the subtlety of this wine. Spicy foods should also be avoided, as they can decrease the flavour intensity of the wine while increasing its astringency.

In summary, a Pinot Noir from California, especially one from a cooler growing region, is an excellent choice to pair with salmon terrine. Its good acidity, delicate aromatics, and softer tannins make it a refreshing and well-balanced pairing that will enhance the flavours of the dish without overwhelming it.

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand

When it comes to wine, New Zealand is often associated with Sauvignon Blanc. The country's maritime climate, ample rainfall, and abundant sunshine make it an ideal environment for the Sauvignon Blanc grape. This variety of wine is known for its herbaceous and aromatic qualities, and New Zealand's Marlborough region is particularly renowned for producing exceptional Sauvignon Blanc.

If you're looking to pair a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a salmon terrine, there are several excellent options to consider. The Mount Nelson, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010, for instance, is a delicate yet vibrant wine with grapefruit flavours that complement the dish harmoniously. Its crisp, citrus notes also go well with the cucumber yogurt sauce that often accompanies a salmon terrine.

Another option is the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, which boasts intense and fresh flavours of green apple, dried pineapple, lemon curd, and a hint of ripe melon. This wine showcases the typical characteristics of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with its citrus and tropical fruit notes. Its crisp and lively palate will refresh your palate between bites of the rich salmon terrine.

For a lighter option, the King Maui Lighter Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice. This low-alcohol wine has a light body and fresh, crisp flavours of tropical and citrus fruits. Its zesty and lively profile makes it a versatile pairing option, complementing the salmon terrine without overwhelming its delicate flavours.

Lastly, the Governors Bay Sauvignon Blanc is another delightful New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to consider. This light-bodied wine presents intense flavours of gooseberry, passionfruit, and a hint of melon. Its fresh and crisp profile makes it an ideal match for grilled fish and vegetables, making it a suitable choice to pair with a salmon terrine and its typical side dishes.

Rosé from Australia

Salmon terrine is a rich and refreshing dish, and the wine you choose to pair with it should also be refreshing. A rosé from Australia can be a great choice, especially one that is dry and has vibrant red berry flavours.

A good option is the Robert Oatley Rosé from Mudgee, imported by Robert Oatley Vineyards. This Aussie rosé is genuinely dry, with vibrant red berry flavours. It has just the right body and texture to make a harmonious pairing with the salmon terrine. It will not overpower the dish, but rather complement it perfectly.

When choosing a rosé from Australia to pair with salmon terrine, look for one that is dry and has crisp, red fruit flavours. These characteristics will help to cut through the richness of the terrine, creating a well-balanced and enjoyable dining experience.

Additionally, serving the wine slightly chilled can also enhance the pairing, especially during warmer weather. The cool temperature will make the wine even more refreshing and help to bring out its fruity notes. So, if you're looking for a wine to accompany your salmon terrine, consider a dry, fruity rosé from Australia, like the Robert Oatley Mudgee.

Cava from Spain

Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine, made by the same process as Champagne. However, Champagne is a French region, and the wine produced there has its own official denomination. The word "cava" comes from the Catalan word for "cellar". Most cava comes from Catalonia (85%), particularly the Penedes region.

Cava is extremely versatile and can be served with tapas, soup, seafood, and poultry entrées. It ranges from extremely dry, with virtually no residual sugars (brut nature), to semi-sec, or "medium-dry", which is actually medium-sweet.

When it comes to salmon terrine, a dry cava is a great choice. The Segura Viudas, Cava (Spain) Brut Reserva “Heredad” NV is dry and almost austere, with lemony flavours and echoes of dried grass or herbs in the finish. This Cava offers a satisfying contrast to the rich dish, providing a foil for the salmon terrine's flavours rather than echoing them.

Cava also works well with salmon in other preparations. A cava sauce, for example, is a gorgeous pairing with salmon. The carbonation of the cava lifts the flavour of the fish, and the sauce can be finished with cream for added luxury.

Pinot Grigio from New Zealand

Salmon terrine is a perfect summer meal and a wonderful dish to refresh yourself with in warm weather. The best wines to pair with salmon terrine are those with forceful fruit flavours and little to no oak influence. While a lighter or heavier wine might be overwhelmed or might overwhelm the dish, a wine with a rich texture will match well.

The Ned Pinot Grigio 2023 Marlborough, for example, is a top-rated New Zealand Pinot Grigio. Grown in the warmer North Island climate, it likely has a riper, richer style. Another example is the Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Grigio 2023 Marlborough, which is also grown in the Marlborough region.

When serving a Pinot Grigio with a salmon terrine, it is best to serve the wine at a cooler temperature. For optimal drinking, New Zealand Pinot Grigio should be served at 7° Celsius/45° Fahrenheit.

Frequently asked questions