Top pairings

6 of the best matches for fish and chips

Posted by Fiona Beckett (Google+) on March 28 2025 at 10:36

Now that fish and chips can found in every posh fish restaurant, wine has become as popular a pairing as a nice mug of builders’ tea (good though that is). But which wine (or other drink for that matter)?

There are a few factors to consider—it’s not so much about the fish more about the condiments you serve with it. If you’re someone who insists on adding vinegar to your chips, it might steer you away from wine entirely.

And let’s consider the sides - mushy peas and tartare sauce could also inform your match.

Read on for my top 6 wine (and other) pairings for fish and chips:

* sparkling wine is always great with deep-fried foods

Champagne or a good bottle of English bubbly if you’re feeling extravagant, cava or crémant if you’re not. (Champagne’s wicked with fish fingers too!)

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Tags: chips fish black tea drink:tea & coffee sparkling perry perry best bitter pale ale Rueda Sauvignon Blanc drink:white wine cava Champagne drink:champagne & sparkling mushy peas tartare sauce fish and chips food:fish & shellfish

Comments: 8 (Add)

Stiffman on July 12 2023 at 22:03

Chocolate Milk

Sue on June 4 2021 at 17:10

Definitely a dry draught bitter/IPA such as Thornton's Jaipur for me, and conveniently a combination available in many good pubs especially those on the coast

john burns on March 25 2021 at 14:46

manzanilla yes! picpoul de pinet too even if it is the new chardonnay/pinot grigiot etc!

Colin R on February 26 2021 at 21:13

Surely an omission? fresh Fino or better still Manzanilla (try La Gitana) absolute classic

Nick Brett on February 5 2020 at 17:12

Fish and chips and Chablis. Such decadence, have to be f&c out of newspaper and the Chablis out of a crystal glass. Got to try that.

Nodds on January 11 2019 at 17:23

Vodka and red bull.

Roithamer on April 11 2017 at 21:10

In Andalusia, deep-fried fish is usually served with dry sherry ("fino" or "manzanilla"), which provides a sharp and salty match to the crispy batter and the juicy fresh fish. I think the same principle could work for fish & chips.

tania_nexust on June 12 2012 at 15:28

I can definitely recommend porper ale - the Black Country styles seem to go particularly well with fish & chips, such as Holdens range and Bathams - Chamberlains Fish & Chip shop just outside Birmingham have now started stocking Holdens beers following customer requests (mostly mine!) and they seem to be selling well as a good accompaniment!

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