Wine Pairings with Shellfish

Shellfish, such as prawns, langoustines, lobster and spiny lobster, are prized, versatile ingredients in the kitchen. Their sweet, delicate meat calls for a wine that brings out the flavour without overwhelming it. Let's discover the best wines to pair with shellfish.

Characteristics of Shellfish and General Pairings

Each type of shellfish has particular features that affect the choice of wine. Here are the main things to consider:

The natural sweetness of the meat: shellfish have a slight sweetness that goes well with wines of balanced acidity.
Cooking method: steamed or raw go with fresher wines, while grilled preparations or those in sauce call for more structured wines.
Seasonings: butter, citrus or spices can affect the choice of wine.

Best Food and Wine Pairings for Shellfish

Recommended White Wines

Chablis – Perfect with oysters and raw prawns, thanks to its minerality and freshness.
Vermentino di Gallura DOCG – Great for langoustines and lobster, for its savouriness and citrus notes.
Greco di Tufo DOCG – Ideal with astice alla catalana, thanks to its structure and balanced acidity.

Recommended Sparkling Wines

Champagne Blanc de Blancs – Perfect for prawns and lobster, bringing elegance and freshness.
Franciacorta Satèn – Great for grilled langoustines, for its creaminess and softness.

Recommended Rosé Wines

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC – An excellent choice for shellfish alla catalana, for its freshness and light tannic structure.
Provence Rosé – Ideal for marinated prawns and seafood salads.

Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing

Avoid tannic red wines (e.g. Barolo, Chianti Riserva) because they overwhelm the delicacy of the shellfish. Watch out for overly aromatic wines (e.g. Gewürztraminer) which can mask the natural flavour of the shellfish. Avoid excessively acidic wines if the dish is based on butter or creamy sauces.

Specific Pairings for Some Famous Dishes

Raw prawns and carpaccio → Chablis, Champagne Blanc de Blancs Catalan-style lobster → Greco di Tufo, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Grilled lobster → Vermentino di Gallura, Franciacorta Satèn Langoustines with butter and lemon → Provence Rosé, Vermentino

Shellfish: My personal top three

1
Nonnenberg 2017 - Georg Breuer
- Type: Vino Bianco
- Region: Hesse, Germany, Rheingau
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2
Geheimer Rat 2013 - Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan
- Type: Vino Bianco
- Region: Deidesheim, Germany, Palatinate
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3
Potter Valley Riesling 2022 - Chateau Montelena
- Type: Vino Bianco
- Region: California, Potter Valley, United States
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