Crisp wines with citrus flavours, such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Unoaked Chardonnay and Riesling, are excellent with Fish and Chips. In addition, Sparkling Wine and Dry Rosé are lovely with Fish and Chips as well!
Best Wine with Fish and Chips
Italian Pinot Grigio and Fish & Chips Pairing
Italian Pinot Grigio is a very popular white wine that you’ll easily be able to find by the glass in any pub or restaurant serving Fish & Chips. Pinot Grigio is so ubiquitous as it’s the Coors Lite of the wine world. Mild in flavour, Pinot Grigio serves up subtle flavours of lime, lemon, pear, apple and bitter almond. Because Pinot Grigio is so light, it’s not going to weigh you down should you decide to have Fish and Chips as a Friday Lunch or on a Good Friday afternoon.
What makes Pinot Grigio so good with Fish and Chips is that the zesty acidity of the wine washes the greasiness of the battered Fish away, allowing all the tender fish flavours and textures to shine through. If you find Pinot Grigio too light, go for a Pinot Gris if you can find it. Pinot Gris has bolder flavours but will lack some of that zippy acidity that Pinot Grigio delivers.
Picpoul de Pinet and Fish & Chips Pairing
Picpoul de Pinet is a white wine from the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Made from the Picpoul grape, this wine is crisp and refreshing with bright acidity, subtle minerality, and notes of citrus and green apple. It is often described as the perfect wine to enjoy on a warm summer day, and it pairs exceptionally well with deep-fried seafood due to its high acidity and mineral character.
Fish and chips, a quintessential British dish, is a classic pairing for Picpoul de Pinet. The wine’s bright acidity and crispness cut through the rich and oily flavours of the battered Fish, while its mineral notes complement the saltiness of the chips. The wine’s citrus and green apple notes also enhance the flavours of the tartar sauce and malt vinegar that are typically served with the dish. Overall, the refreshing and vibrant qualities of Picpoul de Pinet make it a great choice for enhancing the flavours of Fish and chips, and it is a must-try for any seafood lover.
Picpoul translates to “stings the lip,” which is rather fitting due to the wine’s high acidity and bone-dry body. Picpoul de Pinet is also not an easy wine to hunt down, and I only mention it for those of you who want something different. Acceptable substations for Picpoul de Pinet would be a dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc for pairing with Fish and chips.
Rosé wine with Pub Style Fish & Chips
The acidity and fruitiness of Rosé wine make it an ideal pairing for fried Fish, which can be a heavy and greasy dish. The crisp and refreshing quality of rosé wine cuts through the oiliness of the Fish and helps cleanse the palate after each bite. The fruitiness of the wine also complements the mild flavour of the Fish, enhancing its natural sweetness and making it taste even more delicious.
Moreover, the light and fruity notes of rosé wine also pair well with the tanginess of the vinegar that is typically served with Fish and Chips, creating a perfect balance of flavours. Overall, rosé wine is a versatile and delicious option to pair with Fish and Chips, making it a great choice for a casual and relaxed meal.
Cava Paired with Fish & Chips
Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine known for its crisp acidity, effervescence, and bright fruit flavours, making it an excellent pairing for various dishes, including Fish and Chips.
The crisp acidity of Cava helps cut through the fried Fish’s richness, while its effervescence helps cleanse the palate after each bite. The wine’s bright fruit flavours, such as green apple, pear, and citrus, complement the flavours of the Fish and Chips, enhancing their natural sweetness and making them taste even more delicious. In addition, Cava’s toasty, mineral and yeasty flavours complement the salt, fat, and heavy carbs of both the deep-fried Fish & Chips.
The majority of Sparkling wines will pair exceptionally well with Fish and Chips, however, you might not find it served by the glass at a pub. Thus, I’d say Cava is more appropriate for takeout Fish and Chips.
Unoaked Chardonnay and Fish and Chips Pairing
Unoaked chardonnay is a type of chardonnay wine that is not aged in oak barrels, resulting in a wine that is lighter and crisper in style than its oaked counterpart. This wine is known for its bright acidity, crispness, and fresh fruit flavours, which make it an excellent pairing for a wide range of seafood dishes, including Fish and chips.
The acidity and crispness of unoaked chardonnay help cut through the richness of the fried Fish, while the fresh fruit flavours complement the flavours of the dish. The wine’s citrus notes, in particular, pair well with the tartar sauce and lemon wedges often served with Fish and Chips, enhancing the dish’s overall flavour.
Furthermore, unoaked chardonnay is an excellent choice for those who prefer a lighter and less oaky style of wine. Its bright and fresh character makes it a refreshing and easy-to-drink wine, which is perfect for a casual meal like Fish and Chips.