Wine Time
(Eastbourne Herald 
In Style)
30/08/02
 

WINE WITH FISH

So you’re sitting down to your meal of locally caught fish from Southern Head Fishing on Royal Parade, and you’re wondering ‘What wine will go with this?’ Your choice will depend on the sort of fish and how it has been prepared. In season at the moment are sardines, sea bream and bass, lobster and crabs.

Sea bream is robust and meaty and ideally grilled or barbecued. Gently oaked Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa or Bordeaux will go nicely with Marsanne as an alternative.

Bass and sardines go best with a young Southern French rosé (try one from Faugères), but a dry Alsace Pinot Blanc or Riesling Kabinett from the Mosel would go equally well.

Plain Lobster’s sweet flesh is best complimented by a dry, honeyed Chablis. But, it is often the sauce which dominates. Typically, with à la américaine you'll need a more aromatic wine like Spanish Albarino. Try also Sancerre or Viognier from France. With Thermidor your wine will need to be less expressive, such as an Italian Vernaccia, or Soave.

Crab’s strong taste suits gentle Sauvignon Blancs (eg from Chile) or Sauvignon-Semillon blends. It can also take light reds, such as Gamay (eg a Beaujolais) or Pinot Noir (eg California). Sauces with crab are usually less dominating and unproblematic, although ones containing tomato and onion would bring Loire and New Zealand Sauvignons into scope.

At Southern Head they smoke a range of fish themselves. Their speciality is Roasted Smoked Salmon. Its gorgeous golden and pink hues and delicate smokiness should be matched with a little oakiness from a Californian Chardonnay or a modern, white Rioja.


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drink wisely to enjoy more - - -

© Cooden Cellars 2005

Last updated: 23 January 2005

East Sussex Trading
Standards
'Buy With Confidence'
Award 
2004

Runner-up
Regional
WINE MERCHANT 
OF THE YEAR 
2003 & 2004
Runner-up
Independent Retailer
Business of the Year
2004
Finalist
Restaurant 
Wine Supplier 
of the Year
2004

Cooden Cellars, 14 Grand Hotel Buildings, Compton Street, East Sussex, BN21 4EJ
Tel/Fax: 01323 649663