Why is this the right wine choice? Viognier is very good with fish and seafood in creamy sauces, particularly when flavoured with saffron. Beware though, it’s unhappy with strongly flavoured fish so avoid mackerel, snoek, sardines and marlin.
To serve 2 you will need:
- 2 sea bass fillets, about 175g/6oz each
- a little softened butter
- 2 rounded tbsp toasted flaked almonds
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 150ml fresh fish stock
- small pinch saffron strands
- 3 tbsp crème fraîche
What to do:
- Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Season the fish and spread a little butter over the flesh side of each.
- Put in a shallow, buttered, ovenproof dish and sprinkle with the flaked almonds, lightly pressing them on. Bake for 12-15 mins until the flesh flakes easily.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce. Gently fry the shallot with a small knob of butter in a small pan. Add the stock and saffron, bring to the boil, then boil until reduced by about two-thirds. Stir in the crème fraîche and bubble for a minute or so until slightly thickened. Pour a little sauce around each portion of fish. Lovely served with tiny, buttered new potatoes and green beans, or a fresh green salad.
Adapted from Good Food magazine