Seven Perfect Pairings for Seven Seafood Courses.

The Feast of Seven Fishes is a rich Italian-American tradition celebrated on Christmas Eve, featuring an abundant spread of seafood dishes. This tradition pairs beautifully with the versatility and depth of Sherry, a fortified wine from Jerez, Spain, that spans an array of styles from light and dry to dark and sweet. Here’s a course-by-course pairing, each showcasing a unique Sherry style that enhances the flavors of our favorite Feast of Seven Fishes dishes.

This version of the Feast of Seven Fishes is a sensory journey through seven different seafood dishes, each paired with a distinct Sherry style, culminating with a dessert course. The natural progression from dry to sweet Sherries makes this a balanced and complex tasting experience that respects each course’s flavors.

Amuse-Bouche: Smoked Salmon Crostini

• Sherry Pairing: Manzanilla
• Tasting Notes: Manzanilla is a bright, briny, and delicate Sherry with subtle green apple and sea breeze notes.
• Why It Works: This pairing highlights Manzanilla’s salty, coastal character, which mirrors the salmons’ smokiness. The Sherry’s light body complements the dish’s herb cheese and cucumber, creating a refreshing, palate-awakening amuse-bouche.

Recipe (Little Broken): Smoked Salmon Crostini

SOMM&SOMM Recommends: Lustau Papirusa Manzanilla Sherry

First Course: Roasted Sardines with Garlic and Herb Crust

• Sherry Pairing: Fino
• Tasting Notes: Fino, dry and crisp with almond and fresh dough notes, has a subtle umami quality that matches well with sardines.
• Why It Works: Fino’s delicate nutty and saline notes enhance the sardines’ richness without overwhelming the flavor. Its acidity and dry profile cut through the fish’s oil, balancing out the texture while emphasizing the freshness of the herbs.

Recipe (Olive Tomato): Roasted Sardines with Garlic and Herb Crust

SOMM&SOMM Recommends: Lustau Jarana Fino Sherry

Second Course: Shrimp Scampi with Garlic Butter Sauce

• Sherry Pairing: Amontillado
• Tasting Notes: Amontillado Sherry is characterized by toasted hazelnut, caramel, and a touch of dried apricot, offering a balanced, nutty depth with medium acidity.
• Why It Works: Amontillado’s complexity complements the buttery garlic sauce, enhancing the shrimp’s delicate sweetness. The Sherry’s depth pairs seamlessly with the richness of the dish, providing a touch of nutty savoriness and elevating the umami flavors.

Recipe (Cafe Delites): Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

SOMM&SOMM Recommends: Alvaro Domecq “1730” Amontillado

Third Course: Clams with White Wine, Garlic, and Herbs

• Sherry Pairing: Palo Cortado
• Tasting Notes: Known for its rare combination of freshness and richness, Palo Cortado has roasted hazelnut, orange peel, and subtle toffee flavors.
• Why It Works: Palo Cortado’s layered complexity matches well with the briny, herbal clams. Its depth amplifies the dish’s savory notes, while its slightly fuller body and acidity balance the richness of the sauce, creating a refined harmony.

Recipe (Little Ferraro Kitchen): Steamed Clams with White Wine and Garlic

SOMM&SOMM Recommends: Fernando de Castilla Antique Palo Cortado

Fourth Course: Lobster Risotto with Saffron and Parmesan

• Sherry Pairing: Oloroso
• Tasting Notes: Oloroso Sherry is a rich, full-bodied style with flavors of caramel, walnut, and dried orange zest. Its warming alcohol and slight sweetness add depth.
• Why It Works: The luxurious texture of Oloroso complements the creamy risotto, and its nutty, caramelized character enhances the lobster’s natural sweetness and the richness of saffron and Parmesan.

Recipe (My Gorgeous Recipes): Saffron Risotto with Lobster

SOMM&SOMM Recommends: Bodegas Yuste Aurora Oloroso Sherry

Fifth Course: Baccala (Salted Cod) with Tomato, Olives, and Capers

• Sherry Pairing: Medium Sherry (Blend of Amontillado and PX)
• Tasting Notes: A Medium Sherry offers a mild sweetness with hints of dried fig, dates, and a touch of caramel, striking a balance between richness and sweetness.
• Why It Works: This pairing softens the saltiness of the cod and melds with the acidity of tomatoes. The sweetness of Medium Sherry brings out the savory elements of the capers and olives, achieving a delightful sweet-salty balance.

Recipe (Toni Brancatisano’s version is our favorite): Baccala with Tomatoes, Olives and Capers

SOMM&SOMM Recommends: Valdespino Amontillado Medium Contrabandista Sherry

Sixth Course: Seared Tuna with Capers and Lemon

• Sherry Pairing: Cream Sherry
• Tasting Notes: Cream Sherry, a blend of Oloroso with a touch of PX, has lush flavors of figs, dates, and toffee with a rounded sweetness.
• Why It Works: The Cream Sherry’s sweetness complements the seared tuna’s umami flavors and contrasts with the salty capers, while its fuller body holds up to the tuna’s meatiness. The citrus provides a refreshing finish that cuts through the richness.

Recipe (Drizzle&Dip): Seared Tuna Steaks with Lemon, Capers and Parsley Butter

SOMM&SOMM Recommends: Emilio Hidalgo Morenita Cream Sherry

Dessert Course: Sfogliatelle with Citrus Ricotta Filling

• Sherry Pairing: Pedro Ximénez (PX)
• Tasting Notes: Pedro Ximénez is syrupy and luscious, with intense flavors of raisins, molasses, and caramelized figs.
• Why It Works: PX’s decadent sweetness mirrors the richness of the ricotta, and its dried fruit notes pair beautifully with the pastry’s citrus flavors, offering a satisfying and indulgent finale.

Recipe (Nonna Box): Authentic Italian Sfogliatelle by Guido Pedrelli

SOMM&SOMM Recommends: Alvear Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927

The Final Toast

After the final dessert course, consider offering a tiny sip of Amontillado or Oloroso to cleanse the palate, allowing guests to end the feast with lingering flavors of dried nuts and spices. This brings balance to the overall tasting journey, and with the broad spectrum of Sherry styles, each course in the Feast of Seven Fishes becomes an intricate and memorable experience. Cheers 🍷

Cover image credit: Nicole Michalou on Pexels.com