Best Wine with Maple Glazed Salmon

Maple Salmon pairs best with Viognier, Off-Dry Riesling, a sweeter-styled Pinot Noir and Chenin-Blanc.

The key to pairing wine with maple-glazed salmon is choosing options that can balance its sweetness and richness without overwhelming the dish. Off-dry Riesling, especially from Germany or Ontario, brings vibrant acidity and gentle sweetness that lift the glaze and cleanse the palate. Viognier offers a lush, aromatic profile with stone fruit and floral notes that echo the dish’s depth and texture. For those who prefer red, a fruit-forward Pinot Noir or a tropical, fresh South African Chenin Blanc can both enhance the dish’s sweet-and-savoury character with poise.

Maple-glazed salmon is a dish that pairs the rich, savoury character of salmon with the natural sweetness of maple syrup. The glaze often includes ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, mustard, or citrus to add depth and balance. As it cooks, the maple syrup caramelizes slightly, creating a glossy coating that enhances both flavour and texture. The result is a sweet-and-savoury main that’s bold yet refined, perfect for pairing with a range of wines and seasonal sides.

This pairing was inspired by a recent cross-country trip across Canada I had this year. I journeyed from Nova Scotia to Victoria Island in British Columbia, and had a wonderfully grilled and maple glazed farmed Salmon from the west coast on Canada day. I paired it with an off-dry Riesling from Niagara, while also sampling it with an Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir from that my wife had selected.  It was a lovely way to celebrate Canada day with entirely grown and produced Canadian products (although I do love wines and foods from all regions of the world).

Viognier pairs wonderfully with maple-glazed salmon thanks to its aromatic profile and rich texture, which stand up to the dish’s sweetness and depth. Its notes of stone fruit, honeysuckle, and spice echo the glaze while enhancing the salmon’s natural flavours. Look for a Viognier with moderate acidity to keep the pairing balanced and refreshing. For a premium experience, opt for a Condrieu from France’s Northern Rhône—an elegant, expressive Viognier that elevates the pairing to a luxurious level.

An off-dry Riesling is a fantastic match for maple-glazed salmon, offering a lively balance of sweetness and acidity. Its citrus and orchard fruit notes mirror the glaze’s character while refreshing the palate between bites. Rieslings from Germany or Ontario often have a crisp backbone and subtle minerality, which highlight the richness of the salmon and the glaze’s depth. For a top-tier pairing, look for a VQA-certified Ontario Riesling or a Kabinett-level German Riesling for elegance and precision.

A fruit-forward Pinot Noir, like Meiomi from California (which is not your typical Pinot Noir in that it is darker and maybe a little sweeter than a typical Pinot Noir), pairs beautifully with maple-glazed salmon thanks to its ripe berry flavours and soft tannins. The wine’s slight sweetness plays well with the caramelized glaze while still offering enough acidity to keep the pairing fresh. Its smooth texture and hints of spice bring out the richness of the salmon. Serve it alongside earthy sides like mushrooms or roasted red potatoes to deepen the flavours and take the pairing to another level.