Seattle is finally getting into springtime. This is when my family focuses on being outside together as much as possible. And on a Sunday evening when we’re winding down the weekend, a light dish like ceviche is a perfect way to close things off.

This pairing felt like putting a band together. On its own, the ceviche had a solid rhythm section with a tight, punchy foundation.

We love turning to ceviche. We combine shrimp and fish in ours. Today happened to be Mahi Mahi since that’s what I could get at the store, but usually you look for a mild white fish like halibut. Either way, the fish and avocado come together to create a warm, buttery, soft undertone. The citrus and onion bring acid to give a bit to the dish, and the tomatoes bring a pop of sweetness on their own right.

Albariño as a Lead Instrument

Carrying on with the band motif, the Albariño was a great choice and came over the top of the ensemble with bright, punchy notes. With each balanced bite, the wine cuts through the softer parts of the dish with a high-end sweetness. The acids in the citrus work with the structure in the wine to feel like there’s some structure to the sweeter notes.

I tried the Albariño before the meal. By itself, the mineral notes came forward and it felt like a pale, reserved wine. This just goes to show how a good pairing can really bring the wine to life. The contrast with the food really brought it out of its shell.