Wine Pairings with Oysters and raw seafood
Oysters and raw seafood are refined, delicate ingredients, marked by pronounced savouriness and sea freshness. Pairing them with the right wine should bring out their flavour without overpowering them, balancing acidity, minerality and bubbles. Let's discover the best wines to pair with oysters and raw seafood.
Characteristics of Oysters and Raw Seafood and General Pairings
The choice of wine depends on several factors:- Type of seafood: oysters, clams, mussels, prawns and fish tartare call for different levels of acidity and freshness in the wine.
- Method of preparation: raw and plain or with dressings such as lemon and spices can change the intensity of the flavour and therefore the choice of wine.
- Aromatic intensity of the dish: the use of citrus, herbs and pink pepper can affect the ideal pairing.
Best Food and Wine Pairings for Oysters and Raw Seafood
Recommended White Wines
- Chablis – Perfect for raw oysters, thanks to its pronounced minerality and freshness.
- Vermentino di Gallura DOCG – Excellent with prawns, clams and fish tartare, for its savouriness and citrus notes.
- Greco di Tufo DOCG – Ideal for more structured raw fish dishes, thanks to its balanced acidity.
Recommended Sparkling Wines
- Champagne Blanc de Blancs – Perfect for oysters and raw seafood, it brings elegance and freshness.
- Franciacorta Satèn – Great for fish tartare with richer, more structured ingredients.
Recommended Rosé Wines
- Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC – An excellent choice for tuna tartare and marinated shellfish.
- Provence Rosé – Ideal for seafood salads and marinated prawns.
Mistakes to Avoid in Pairing
- Avoid tannic red wines (e.g. Barolo, Amarone) because they overwhelm the delicacy of raw seafood.
- Watch out for overly aromatic wines (e.g. Gewürztraminer) which can mask delicate flavours.
- Avoid wines that are too soft if the dish is particularly savoury or dressed with citrus.
Specific Pairings for Certain Types of Oysters and Raw Seafood
- Raw oysters with lemon → Chablis, Champagne Blanc de Blancs
- Prawn tartare with citrus → Vermentino di Gallura, Provence Rosé
- Raw fish with light spices → Greco di Tufo, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo
- Tuna or salmon carpaccio → Franciacorta Satèn, Sauvignon Blanc
Oysters and raw seafood: My personal top three
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1
Côtes Catalanes IGP “Esprit de L’Horizon Blanc” 2022 - Domaine de l’Horizon
- Type: Vino Bianco
- Region: Côtes Catalanes, France, Roussillon
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2
Champagne 1er Cru Les Vignes de Vrigny Extra Brut Non-vintage - Egly-Ouriet
- Type: Sparkling wine or Champagne
- Region: Champagne, France, Vallée de la Marne
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3
Shaman, Grand Cru 2019 - Marguet
- Type: Sparkling wine or Champagne
- Region: Champagne, France, Reims
All those I have tried
