Top pairings
What’s the best wine pairing for tuna?
If you want a simple guideline as to which wine to pair with tuna think first about the way that it’s cooked - is it rare, seared or preserved (canned or bottled)?
Then think of the style of the dish. Does it incorporate Japanese flavours? Are there other ingredients on the plate that might influence the match such as a citrussy glaze or salsa?
That said it’s a meaty fish which adapts just as well to a red wine as to a white. In this guide, I’ll delve into the best wines to pair with different styles of tuna, covering everything from crisp whites that cut through the richness to bold reds that stand up to more intense preparations. You’ll also find links to some specific matches that were particularly worth remembering.
Wine with tuna quick guide:
- Raw tuna: Chilled sake or a very dry white (e.g. Chablis)
- Seared tuna: A light red (e.g. Chinon) or Spanish rosé
- Grilled tuna: Syrah or Barbera
- Canned tuna: Dry Italian white (e.g. Verdicchio) or Provençal rosé
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