Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent. For Christians, especially Catholics, this means the return of Fish Fridays! Check out our 7 suggestions for pairing Iowa wines with seafood (including fried fish!) to ensure your Lenten season is filled with delicious local wine options.

FRIED & SPARKLING

We’ll start with the easiest pairing. While most church fish fries offer the standard fried fish fillets, it can be tricky to pair wines with rich fried foods but sparkling wines are a perfect match. The bubbles help cut through the weight of the oil, while complimenting the fish, which is most often flaky and mild in flavor. Choose a dry white sparkling wine or even a semi-sweet rosé sparkling wine. Our suggestions: 2012 Sparkling Cuvée, Breezy Hills Winery ($19, available online) or 2014 Sparkling St. Vincent, Buchanan House Winery ($24, available online).

MILD & FRUITY LA CRESCENT

When pairing a mild, white fish prepared simply; perhaps grilled or broiled with no overwhelming sauces, the go-to Iowa wine of our choice would be a fruity La Crescent, dry or sweet! La Crescent wines offer tropical aromas and a smooth, crisp mouthfeel to compliment fish such as halibut, flounder or even walleye. Our suggestions: 2018 La Crescent, Soldier Creek Winery ($15.89, available online) or Picket Fence White, Penoach Winery (available at select retail locations throughout Iowa).

SHELLFISH & FRONTENAC BLANC/VIDAL BLANC/SEYVAL

Match up shellfish - clams, mussels, oysters and even crab and lobster when served plain, with Iowa Frontenac Blanc, Vidal Blanc or Seyval. The crisp, acidity and aromatic qualities of these varietals stand up well to the richness and texture of shellfish.

Our suggestions: 2019 Loesscato White Wine, Oscar Carl Vineyards ($19, available online) or Vidal Blanc, Summerset Winery ($17, available online) or 2017 Iowa Seyval, Fireside Winery ($16, available online).

SPICY & BRIANNA

There’s no denying that seafood tastes great when spiced up a bit, and when paired with a fruity, crisp and semi-sweet Brianna, it’s like magic. Pair up a spicy shrimp or cajun seafood alfredo with an Iowa Brianna or Brianna blend and your tastebuds will thank you. 

Our suggestions: Brianna, Tabor Home Winery (available at the tasting room and select retailers throughout Iowa) and 2017 Brianna, Covered Bridges Winery ($14, available online).

SAVORY & OAK

Savory seafood dishes, such as breaded/crusted bass, grilled scallops, broiled lobster or even a broth based seafood soup pair well with a fuller-bodied oaky white wine. Many of Iowa’s grape varietals carry more fruity and light characteristics, but in this instance you’d want to stick with an aged or dry style.

Our suggestions: Oak Tie, Train Wreck Winery ($15.95, available online) or St. Pepin, Backcountry Winery (available at select retailers throughout Iowa).

MEATY & LIGHT-BODIED RED

Normally, you would choose a white wine to pair with fish, but in some cases, fatty/meaty, big-flavored fish like mackerel, marlin or swordfish might be better with a red! Steer clear of bold, aged reds and instead select young, fruity, light-bodied varietals such as Marechal Foch or a red blend. Pro tip: don’t pair bold red wines with spicy seafood dish or you might get a weird metallic aftertaste!

Our suggestions: Nouveau, Ardon Creek Winery ($12.99, available online) or Midnight Rain, Madison County Winery ($15, available online). 

GRILLED/SAUCY & ROSÉ

Rosé wines are great when a seafood dish is covered in a sauce that’s heavier than what a white wine can stand up to, but not quite right for a full-on red. Consider selecting an Iowa rosé when grilling salmon or tuna steaks. Rosé is also a good choice with tomato-based seafood soups. 

Our suggestions: 2016 Martin & Tesse, Wooden Wheel Vineyards ($15, available online) or Iowa Frontenac Rose, Tassel Ridge Winery ($15, available at select retailers throughout Iowa). 

No matter which seafood dish you’ll be enjoying, whether it’s indulgent fried fish from your local church or rich and buttery lobster made in your own kitchen, there’s an Iowa wine that pairs perfectly with it! We invite you to experience Iowa wine with your next meal and always...sip & stay awhile.