Few meals feel more like summer in a beach town than fish and chips. Crispy fried fish, salty fries, malt vinegar, and a cold glass of wine—it’s simple, nostalgic, and hard to beat after a day near the water.
On the North Fork, fish and chips is one of our favorite backyard dinner recipes during the warmer months, especially when paired with a crisp, refreshing Pinot Grigio. Whether you’re opening a chilled bottle or cracking open a Pinot Grigio can for the beach or BBQ, this pairing just works.
Fried seafood and bright white wines are a classic combination for good reason.
Pinot Grigio’s:
help cut through the richness of fried fish while complementing the delicate seafood flavors underneath.
One of our favorite food and wine pairing “rules” is simple:
If you’d squeeze lemon over the dish, it will probably pair beautifully with Pinot Grigio.
The wine acts much like fresh lemon juice would—adding brightness, balance, and contrast that lifts the entire dish.
In the Hearn household, fish and chips is taken very seriously.
Our winemaker Russell Hearn grew up in Australia, and whenever our family visited relatives in Perth, one of the very first stops after getting off the plane was always for fish and chips.
There’s something timeless about flaky fried fish, salty chips, and plenty of malt vinegar that instantly feels comforting and familiar. Now, as adults, pairing it with a crisp North Fork Pinot Grigio takes the whole experience to another level.
Over the last year, Brad and I have tested more homemade fish and chips recipes than we’d probably like to admit—all in the name of research, of course.
After plenty of trial and error, we finally found our favorite:
The Spruce Eats British Fish and Chips recipe.
If you’re making it at home, here are a few tips that make a big difference:
Cooking fish and chips on the grill or outdoor burner helps keep your kitchen from smelling like fried food for days afterward.
No need to peel the potatoes. The skins add texture, flavor, and a more rustic feel to the chips.
A generous splash of malt vinegar ties everything together and gives the dish that classic fish-and-chip-shop flavor.
Fish and chips may be simple, but paired with a cold glass of Pinot Grigio, it becomes one of the best summer meals around.
Whether you’re cooking for a backyard dinner, beach gathering, or casual weekend meal, this pairing captures everything we love about summer on the North Fork:
And honestly, that’s what summer food should be all about.
