Top pairings | What’s the best wine pairing for tuna?

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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Comments: 3 (Add)

jmwmacd on July 20 2021 at 18:17

Akemi is a white Rioja made with Viura/Macabeo, and it is a fantastic partner for raw or very rare tuna.
Félix Jiménez is a Spanish chef who trained in Japan, and when he returned to Logroño to open his own Japanese restaurant, he worked with Rioja winemakers to craft something that would pair with sushi. Akemi is the result, and it's really lovely.

Antonio @ WineAndOtherStories on September 11 2019 at 19:27

Hello Fiona! Tuna is perhaps my favourite fish, I love it! I'm always curious to find the proper wine matching for every preparation. Your article gives excellent recommendations. Some months ago I made a little experiment - It would be great to hear your thoughts:
https://wineandotherstories.com/recipe-wine-pairing-tuna-fillet-asparagus-vellutata/

Germain Lehodey on May 8 2013 at 12:58

i like your pairing approach.
great Germain

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