Introducing our new series The Perfect Pair, exploring wine and beer pairings for seafood dishes of all kinds.
A great dish becomes even better when you have just the right pairing to make the flavors sing. Wine shops and breweries in the Boston area give ideas and inspiration for what to drink with fish-focused meals.
Their recommendations for a spicy butter swordfish would play nice with a coconut milk-based fish stew, a bowl of spicy, shrimp-studded noodles, or a blackened redfish dish with rice and beans.
MAYHEW WINE SHOP
Montenidoli Vernaccia or Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Rouge
Montenidoli Vernaccia’s richness will complement any buttery seafood dish. Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Rouge has a wheel of flavor to balance fish.
BENT WATER BREWING COMPANY
Endless Rays or Premium Lager
Endless Rays’s lemon acidity highlights the flavor of meaty fish like tuna. Light-bodied Premium Lager pairs well with rich fish and salty condiments.
BEACON HILL WINE AND GOURMET
Old Westminster Blinded by the Light Piquette or Oliver Blueberry Moscato
Blinded by the Light is a pet-nat piquette blend of three different varietals with a hint of effervescence that creates a perfect match. Oliver Blueberry Moscato is on the dryer side and the natural blueberry would be a perfect counter to a boldly spiced dish.
CASTLE ISLAND BREWING CO.
Keeper IPA
Bold spices require a bold beer, and the intense grapefruit rind and candied orange flavors in Keeper IPA make it a classic curry pairing.
MAGNOLIA WINE COMPANY
Gewürztraminer or Riesling
Wines such as Gewürztraminer or Riesling work really well with spicy dishes. It’s remarkable how well spicy foods and sweeter white wines work together.
DISTRACTION BREWING CO.
Hoppily Distracted or RoslinPale
The tropical fruit and citrus profile of Hoppily Distracted will help cut the spiciness of the curry and draw out the natural sweetness of the fish. RoslinPale’s crisp maltiness will cleanse the palate with each sip, allowing you to taste anew with each bite.
Spicy & Bold is the third in a series of six pairing ideas. Coming next week, get recommendations for pairing Pan-Fried dishes.
Read recommendations for Sushi & Poke and Fresh & Citrusy.
