Food pairing at its finest - which wine to go with the fish?

... the culinary half-bottle fish science

The 1x1 of the water world begins with the distinction between salt and fresh water. Freshwater fish, including the classic trout, char, catfish and zander, have fine, soft flesh. In order not to cover up these delicate aromas, light, young white wines without oak barrel notes and with little tartaric acid are usually served. Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, French Pinot Gris and Italian Pinot Grigio are very popular. In salt water, on the other hand, some of the favorite fish of the Germans feel most comfortable: Dorade, redfish, plaice or salmon are much juicier and more aromatic. As somewhat fatter fish, they tolerate more intensity, which is why you can go for the white with a little more tartaric acid. Key word: Riesling. With its slightly mineral note, this is also our insider tip for all sushi lovers - excellent with the subtle salty taste!

Of course, no sea creature cares whether we put it in the freshwater or saltwater drawer and what we later serve it with. But we do, because the method of preparation and the side dishes make for an incredible difference in taste. And that's why you need different wines for the perfect dinner... 

Mmmmm... so French, so buttery and so delicious! The sauce classic Beurre Blanc goes perfectly with a tender, steamed fish fillet. While the butter gradually absorbs the fishy aroma, you can already pull out a wine with moderate tartaric acid that has been aged in wooden barrels. All matured variants from the noble Chardonnay to the Pinot Gris should be emphasized here. The development in the wood makes the wine smooth and smooth on the palate, which only enhances the high-fat creaminess of the sauce.

Are you into hot and spicy? Then it is important to use the choice of drinks to create an ideal balance between the residual sweetness from the wine and the spiciness of your dinner. Attention, half-bottle insider tip: the hotter the food, the sweeter the wine! We recommend Riesling and Chablis. Spicy fish dishes, such as the Provençal bouillabaisse, harmonize just as well with a delicious rosé wine.

The easiest choice is if you enrich your dish with a wine-based sauce anyway. If your risotto gets a shot of Riesling, you can also fill your wine glass with it. We'd like a portion too, please. Thank you!

If you fire up the grill, you not only officially start the summer season, but also give your fish an unmistakable roasted aroma on the way (or on your plate) . It's the same when it's sizzling in the pan. At the same time, you need to add more structure, volume, and body to the glass. Why? So that a hearty plaice, served with potatoes and bacon, doesn't drown out the enjoyment of the wine. A Chardonnay matured in a wooden barrel fits perfectly here. The same is true of one decent salmon fillet, salted and peppered and stewing away. Here you can either grab a Pinot Gris or dare to try a light red. Pinot Noir or Pinot Noir provide a pleasant, fruity surprise. A Riesling, on the other hand, with its tartaric acid, is ideal against high-fat fried dishes - in case you are overwhelmed by cabbage steam on a rich "fish and chips" menu.

We'll admit that some food pairings aren't for everyone (and of course, everyone). Intense, smoky and greasy: the fishy prime example is probably the smoked eel. Some love him - and many, many others hate him. But don't worry, we won't let anyone down when it comes to choosing a wine!

Other fatty varieties such as salmon, herring and mackerel remain nice and juicy when smoked, although they lose a lot of liquid in the smoke. In general, smoked fish goes well with aromatic white wines with a high percentage of tartaric acid. A Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay are the refreshing counterpoint to the hearty fish and complete the smoky aroma with a light note of wood. If your heart beats for red wine, you reach for Pinot Noir.

If you serve fish, you are well prepared this year. Miss Sophie would be proud of you. The half-bottle team wishes you bon appétit!

Pour, sniff and enjoy - online tasting among wine enthusiasts

You probably feel the same way as we do and all the news about a specific bacillus will probably come out to your ears as well. The virus, whose name probably does not need to be named at this point, has only given us little in the last few months. Instead of going to cocktail parties and champagne brunches, we've all inevitably become couch potatoes. We think: Despite these circumstances (or maybe because of that?) we should dedicate our new everyday life as housewives and househusbands to limitless enjoyment as best we can. At this point, let's applaud the endless expanses of digitization that are shifting our social contacts to the virtual and (at least still) unrestricted level.

With a half-bottle you defy the current restrictions and embark on an enjoyable wine tasting with your clique, your sweetheart or with colleagues - virtually and absolutely Corona-compliant from your four walls. At this point we would like to emphasize once again that the train for the journey to half-bottle-tasting land has already left. Still, it's worth sticking with it, because we wouldn't be us if we didn't have an ace up our sleeve just for you...

Half bottle x Sommliners on the hunt for fine wines

As an expert for virtual events, Sommliners brings people together - and at the same time brings the best wine to men and women (and of course to everyone who doesn't want to make a decision). Just like us! One would like to claim perfect match!

True to the motto "first come, first served", a limited number of lucky wine lovers were able to get a ticket and in return received a varied wine package with three high-quality wines. We made ourselves comfortable in front of the fireplace or on the cozy couch before logging in to the (more or less) well-versed group of wine connoisseurs via computer, tablet or smartphone. Et voilà: Punctually from 7 p.m. the listeners were completely devoted to the descriptive words of the charming sommliner Giorgia.

You may rightly doubt whether enjoying three bottles of wine in one evening could not be a bit rash? We agree with you: In the interests of your liver, we warmly advise against an “I never say no to vino” attitude. Instead, we rely on conscious enjoyment, which is steered in the right direction by our half-bottle wine bottles in the practical 0.375 liter format. You can savor every drop of the small bottle down to the last sip with a clear conscience, without suffering from an annoying hangover the following day. We don't want to praise ourselves, but the small bottles are actually made for an extensive wine tasting.

Winetastic, but thankfully not vinous

Oh, and did we already mention that the exclusive half-bottle advent calendar was raffled off among all participants at the Sommliners tasting? Now don't stick your head in the sand, because now we're going to give you a drink: on the one hand, the Advent season has long since come to an end, which means that you don't have to mourn the advent calendar a bit less. On the other hand, it won't be long before you and your friends can finally secure coveted places for the next online tasting! And it gets even better: In the near future there will also be themed trips entirely in the half-bottle style. You can remain curious, because maybe you are already enjoying your next glass between wine and vines at the foot of the Rhine?

With a half-bottle you will discover a new world of full-bodied aromas during the online tasting. All the utensils you need for this exquisite taste experience will be conveniently delivered to your front door. Incidentally, our team will provide you with well-kept insights that will sharpen your senses and take your enjoyment of wine to a new level. So be sure to keep an eye on our news, because “Wine O'Clock” will be back soon!

You can't buy happiness, but wine can

... and that's pretty much the same thing! A sip of liquid joy should not be missing at a romantic dinner for two. Even if the queen of hearts has left for the girls' weekend, it's still important to enjoy the relaxed Netflix evening to the full. We are of course talking about the delicious glass of wine. The only question that remains is: Do you really want to leave your own four walls when a good book and the bathtub beckon with a relaxing me-time? We have the solution for you up our sleeve: You should buy wine online! Yes, you heard right...

You can now buy wine online

Simsalabim, we can read your mind: "I wouldn't buy a pig in a poke and order wine without knowing whether I like it too!" We predict that when buying online you might need advice from an experienced wine specialist Connoisseurs and perhaps the inspiring wine tasting could be missing. Attention, pun: How are you supposed to "read the tastiest selection"?

Calm down. There is no longer any need to brood and brood, because as real wine lovers, we have already done all the work for you in our wine shop. Not to sound like we have a drinking problem, but there is literally good wine running through our veins. The highest quality is therefore the be-all and end-all of all our wines. You can also find everything we know on the half-bottle website - and that's a lot about wine. Whether it's red or white wine, with pizza or pasta or even an impressive dinner, for which you deserve a pat on the back: With our tips you can only make the right decision when shopping (w)!

"That's all well and good, but even the best wine is of no use to me if the glass bottle dies during delivery." Theoretically you're right, but practically not. we love wine And with the help of high-quality packaging and experienced shipping service providers, we ensure that every droplet finds its way over your doorstep undamaged. How long this state of the closed glass bottle lasts is up to you. Got a corkscrew and let loose!

Small wines, great joy

Do you like shopping online? Then you will love online wine shopping! Because we just can't get enough of the noble droplet, we're happy to point out all the advantages to you again:

1. Whether red wine, white wine or sweet wine: half-bottle wines taste delicious, delicioso, délicieux - simply delicious!
2. Especially in the autumn and winter months, it is simply the most comfortable in your own four walls. On rainy days, you no longer have to set foot in front of the doorstep to buy wine: Open the door, thank the delivery man and have your corkscrew out!
3. Half-bottle secret tip: The smaller, the more often! We are the only online store to offer you half glass bottles of 0.375 liters. Here you can try it out day after day without having to worry about a hangover the following day. Order different types of wine today and find your new favorite in your private, personal wine tasting!

I beg your pardon?! Are you still unsure whether online wine trading is right for you? Then give us a call or hit the keys. We look forward not only to getting to know you, but also to clearing up all your doubts! You buy wine online – you buy wine by the half-bottle.