There’s nothing better on a summer day than relaxing with a glass of wine and a tasty seafood dish. Pairing wine with food is something that some people excel at, while others feel totally lost when they see all of the options on a menu. You can always ask your waiter for a wine suggestion based on what you order, but it’s nice to have a rough idea of what pairs well together! Let’s take a look at some of the best wines you can pair with different types of seafood next time you’re ordering out!
Pairing with Light Fish
Lighter fish includes catches such as sea bass and branzino. These types of fish are flaky with a mild texture. A light wine pairs best with light fish to compliment the flavors without overwhelming them. Pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, and gruner veltliner are some of the most popular light white wines that you’ll find on almost any menu.
Pairing with Heavier Fish Dishes
Tuna, salmon, and other fish that have a heavier texture pair well with a white wine that’s rich in flavor or a light red wine. Pinot noir and chardonnay are among the most common wines that are bold enough to pair with these types of fish, but not so bold it overpowers them.
Pairing with Strong Flavored Fish
The fishier fish, such as trout and catfish, need to be paired with a wine that’s aromatic and full-bodied. This will tone down the fishy flavor without losing it completely. A white rioja or semillion are both great options!
Pairing with Shellfish
Pairing wine with shellfish has more to do with the sauce that’s used than the fish itself. For a safe choice that pairs with pretty much any shellfish, you can order an unoaked chardonnay or German Riesling. A spicy sauce should be paired with a semi-sweet wine, such as a Moscato, to tone down the spice. Sweet sauces, like teriyaki, go well with the sweeter wines. Off-dry rosé offers the perfect level of sweetness to compliment an already sweet sauce. A basic herb-based sauce pairs well with a classic white Torrontés or sauvignon blanc that holds its own herb-based flavor palette.
Book a Reservation at Summer Shack
Now that we’ve got your tastebuds excited and you’re ready to try some of these pairings, come join us at Summer Shack! We have a wide selection of tasty seafood dishes and wines to choose from. As the best seafood restaurant in Boston, you can’t go wrong! We pride ourselves on using only the freshest seafood and best preparation methods to ensure every plate that gets served to a customer will be the best seafood they’ve ever had. Our wait staff can offer an array of wine suggestions to pair with any seafood you order while still fitting your personal flavor preferences. Contact Summer Shack today to make your reservation at our Boston, Cambridge, or Mohegan Sun location!
FAQs
The Best Wine and Seafood Pairings
- Chardonnay and Crab. Crab has a light, delicate flavor that is often overpowered by wines with bolder flavors. ...
- Sauvignon Blanc and Shrimp. ...
- Pinot Noir and Salmon. ...
- Malbec and Lobster. ...
- Riesling and Scallops. ...
- Pinot Gris and Oysters. ...
- Chenin Blanc and Mussels. ...
- Pinot Grigio and Clams.
Best White Wine to Pair With Fish
Chardonnay is a full-bodied white, and while the buttery notes of this wine will complement the butteriness of the fish, a better pairing for delicate fish is something light and crisp, like a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc.
Does Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc go with seafood? ›
Similar to sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio also pairs exceedingly well with shellfish like lobster, crab species, mussels, or clams. Although white wines are typically what goes best with seafood, it may not be your cup of tea (or glass of wine!). Another wine type that pairs well with seafood are sparkling wines.
Does Cabernet Sauvignon go with seafood? ›
Pair your seafood pasta with a red wine like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Syrah to bring out the best in your pasta dish. White wine, on the other hand, is a great match with fish and other lighter white-fleshed seafood like clam strips.
What is the best thing to drink with seafood? ›
Both fish and shellfish dishes can be complimented excellently with a glass of chilled white wine. In most cases, a full-bodied option (like Chardonnay) is preferred. But if the dish is rich in seasoning and flavors, you might consider a glass of Riesling or another light-bodied white wine.
What wine goes with shrimp and scallops? ›
What wine goes with shrimp and scallops? For brown butter seared shrimp and scallops, you better believe we're reaching for a Chardonnay. However, And if you're making a more robust sauce like a creamy tomato marinara, fruity and full-bodied Rosé or Sangiovese all the way.
What is the best sweet white wine for seafood? ›
Shellfish tend to call for light whites, like Vouvray from France's Loire Valley (Benoît Gautier is a good producer) or sparkling wine like Champagne. If the dish is spicy, consider a wine with some sweetness, like an off-dry Alsatian Gewürztraminer (try Trimbach or Domaine Weinbach).
Is Pinot Noir good for seafood? ›
Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir has strong, oaky overtones and is considered a moderately dry, light-to-medium bodied wine. It pairs well with both hearty fish, like salmon or tuna, and delicately cooked white fish or poached salmon, as well as with shellfish, such as oysters, crab, lobster, and mussels.
What seafood goes with Sauvignon Blanc? ›
But any minerally or earthy Sauv Blanc will go perfectly with fresh crab, raw oysters, and other lightly cooked shellfish. Finally, we must mention one of our favorite Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: garlic prawns. This simple recipe combines citrus, garlic, and seafood for an absolute dream of a Sauv Blanc match.
Do you drink white wine with seafood? ›
Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio
Dry, austere, and crisp, chenin blanc and pinot grigio are the wines to reach for when serving lean, white fish cooked simply. Flounder, halibut, walleye, snapper, raw clams, or oysters all do well with these wines.
Merlot: A fruity and medium-bodied Merlot pairs nicely with grilled tuna steaks or blackened swordfish. Grenache or GSM Blends: Grenache-based wines or GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) offer a good balance of fruitiness and spice, enhancing the flavors of grilled or spiced fish.
What seafood dishes go well with Pinot Grigio? ›
Pinot Grigio's versatility shines with seafood, particularly shellfish and light fish. The wine's minerality makes it a natural companion for oysters, ceviche, and grilled sea bass. Similarly, the citrusy notes in Pinot Grigio enhance the flavors of ceviche, complementing the lime juice used in the dish.
Which wine pairs best with seafood? ›
Traditionally, white wine is served with pretty much any food that is not red meat – especially poultry and all seafood. In fact, seafood is good with whatever you choose to drink with it[1] –red, white, Rosé, or Sparkling wines and of course Champagne can turn a simple meal into a festive occasion.
What should you not pair with Cabernet Sauvignon? ›
Cabernet Sauvignon does not work well:
- With delicate and subtle dishes. Its personality is just too bold. ...
- With strong cheeses. Counterintuitively, the stronger the cheese, the less successful the match. ...
- With most fish. ...
- With spicy-hot foods. ...
- With dishes that have no fat or protein (such as plain risotto or crudités).
Wines with citrus, herbaceous, or tropical fruit flavors like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Grüner Veltliner, or Viognier pair beautifully with shrimp. These wines complement the delicate sweetness of shrimp without overpowering them. They provide bright acidity and minerality to lighten the dish.
Is red or white wine better with seafood? ›
According to tradition, you're supposed to drink white wine with seafood, but sometimes red wines make an ideal pairing. When pairing wine and seafood, the type of fish or shellfish and how you're preparing it matters. Texture and flavors are essential considerations to keep in mind.
Does white or red wine go with seafood pasta? ›
Seafood Pasta
A great wine pairing to go with our Linguine Scampi and Vongole Fra Diavolo for example would be a crisp, dry white wine. You don't want to take away from the fresh, delicious seafood flavor so, a Pinot Grigio would be the perfect complement. Other pairing options could be Rosé or Chardonnay.
Do you serve red or white wine with shrimp? ›
Choose a Light, Crisp White Wine
Wines with citrus, herbaceous, or tropical fruit flavors like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Grüner Veltliner, or Viognier pair beautifully with shrimp.
What wine is best served with fish? ›
Delicate white fish fillets need a lighter white wine; think Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Albariño or Grüner Veltiner. Meanwhile meatier fish like tuna can stand up to more robust flavours such as oaked Chardonnay, Viognier or rosé.
