Chat with Vinny
Ever wondered which wines pairs perfectly with fish and chips - and which ones don't? Learn more in our food pairing guide …
Who doesn’t love Fish and Chips? It’s the classic takeaway choice … the perfect Friday night dinner.
And what’s one thing that can make it better? Not lashings of ketchup or curry sauce – though, let’s be honest, that does help. It’s wine, of course!
While it may not seem like the most obvious drink of choice, enjoying a glass of wine alongside your chippy tea (that’s what we’d call it in the north), can almost certainly make the meal more enjoyable – if you choose the right wine.
We’ll be delving into the dos and don’ts of choosing a wine to pair with your fish and chips, including why certain wines match beautifully, and why others may fall short.
Top tips to consider when choosing the right wine
Embrace salt, forget vinegar
Love dousing your fish and chips with salt and vinegar? Well … I’ve got both good and bad news.
Salt is a wine-friendly food component. It enhances flavours, brings out a wine’s fruity notes, and creates a balance with your dish – so the good news is you can have your fish and chips as salty as you like.
And the bad news? It would be better for you to avoid adding vinegar entirely. Why? Well, it’s the enemy of most wines. Vinegar can make your wine seem overly acidic and unbalanced.
Why red wines are tricky
When it comes to pairing wine with your food, it’s of course all down to your personal preference.
However, when enjoying fish and chips, it’s often better to avoid red wine, especially robust reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz. I’d even recommended staying clear of lighter reds like Pinot Noir and Beaujolais, as these wines can struggle to complement fish and chips.
The full body and tannins of red wines often completely overpowers the delicate flavours of the fish and can clash with the batter.
So, I’d recommend pairing your fish and chips with delicate and acidic white, sparkling, or rosé wines.
The best wines to pair with fish and chips
Sparkling wine
Champagne
I know what you’re thinking. Champagne with fish and chips? It’s definitely not the most obvious match. But trust me, it works.
Because it’s dry, with high acidity and delightful effervescence, Champagne cuts through the fat and richness of the batter with ease, refreshing the palate with each sip. Plus, those delicious and subtle brioche notes complement fish and chips perfectly.
English Sparkling wine
Like Champagne, English Sparkling wine has vibrant acidity and fine bubbles that cleanse the palate.
It’s made using the same traditional method as Champagne – the same method used to make Cava and Crémant. English Sparkling wine brims with crisp green apple and citrus flavours that enhance the fresh flavours of the fish.
Dry white wines
Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc brightens the flavours of fish and chips because of its zesty acidity, green apple and citrus notes.
This can be a great wine style to match if you’re enjoying your fish and chips with punchy tartare sauce.
I’d recommend Kiwi Sauvignon or Sancerre.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is an incredibly versatile style. It’s smooth and dry and you can enjoy it oaked or unoaked, depending on your preference. It has apple and citrus flavours that compliment fish and chips without overpowering it.
This can be a great wine to if you’re enjoying mushy peas alongside your fish and chips.
If you’re looking for unoaked Chardonnay, I’d recommend Chablis. If you’re looking for something that’s lightly oaked, I’d go for a California Chardonnay.
Rosé
Rosé wines work wonderfully with an array of dishes – one of them being fish and chips.
Because of rosé’s acidity, it cleanses your palate between each bite. Not only that, but the subtle fruity flavours found in rosé wines contrast to the savouriness of the fish and chips and, because of its versatility, it’s a great wine to enjoy if you’re mixing different sides alongside your main dish.
I’d recommend Provençal rosé or Spanish Rosado.
So, there you have it – the wine styles will that pair beautifully with your chippy tea. Now you must try it for yourself … which will be your favourite?
About the author
Brogan Wilson
Qualified to WSET Level 2 Wine, Brogan is a relatively new member of the team, having joined in September 2023. She previously worked as the sole copywriter at a creative marketing agency, and before that, as a primary school teacher. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find her growing her knowledge, asking lots of questions, and crafting both digital and print copy. An ardent red wine drinker, Brogan is also fond of Crémant.
