When it comes to matching seafood and wine, the delicacy of the seafood dish dictates the style of wine you choose to pair with it. There are numerous wine and seafood pairing options, ranging from the classic pairing of crisp Sparkling with freshly shucked oysters to grilled shellfish with a modern Chardonnay and the not-so-classic pairing of salmon with Pinot Noir.
With Scallop Dishes
Grilled scallops with Sparkling wine are an easy-to-prepare and impressive starter for a beautifully light yet flavorful seafood entrée. Light aromatic white wines such as Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, or Riesling are also excellent companions.
Try this recipe: Grilled Scallops with a Lemon Herb Dressing
With Oyster Dishes
Pairing Sparkling wine with freshly-sucked oysters is a winning combination to make an opening statement for any celebration or simply because. Another excellent option is Semillon.
Try this recipe: Fancy oysters 8 ways
With Prawn Dishes
Wonderfully sweet and fresh prawns are national heroes to be enjoyed at any time of year. They’re on almost every restaurant menu and every family plate across the country come summer. They pair well with Sparkling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. Alternative whites, such as Grüner Veltliner or Gewürztraminer, are simply stunning when combined with Asian flavors, and a chilled Rosé can be a great choice when combined with sauces and meat flavors.
Try this recipe: Grilled Garlic Parmesan Prawn
With Crab Dishes
Simple and light crab dishes necessitate a white wine with light oak and crisp acidity, so medium-weight and textural white wines like Marsanne, Pinot G, Vermentino, Arneis, and Fiano are excellent choices.
Try this recipe: Crab Risotto with Oyster Mushrooms
With Mussel Dishes
Mussels are traditionally served with white wine, but the strong flavors in this Mediterranean dish (particularly the sauce) necessitate a more powerful wine. Grenache Mataro’s silky texture and mix of fruit and savory notes would pair beautifully with this dish’s spice, while Shiraz Cabernet is another elegant option.
Try this recipe: Mediterranean Mussels
With Delicate Fish Dishes
Fried fish dishes benefit from the natural acidity of whites such as Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends, whereas grilled fish can benefit from the texture of medium-weight Marsanne, Pinot G, Arneis, and Fiano. Vermentino is a textural variety with a classic salty or sea spray characteristics, making it ideal with simply prepared seafood.
Try this recipe: Whole sea bass with mango salsa
With Rich Fish Dishes
Forget what you’ve heard or read about red wine and seafood not going together. Salmon’s richness makes it ideal for red wine lovers, and the best pairings are light to medium-weight and savory reds such as Grenache, GSM Blends, Nero d’Avola, Barbera, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. Rosé is another delicious option for those who do not like red wines. These varieties also complement rich fish stews, curries, tomato-based dishes like bouillabaisse, and oily fish like tuna and mackerel.
Try this recipe: King Salmon with Silky Pea Purée and Herb Salad
With Rich Crustasean Dishes
Barbequed lobster with garlic and herb butter is a fantastic choice for an easy-to-prepare but impressive and quite luxurious seafood dinner. The rich barbequed flavors of marron are complemented by full-bodied and richer whites like Chardonnay, Roussanne, Verdelho, or Viognier.
Try this recipe: BBQ Lobster with Garlic and Herb Butter
With Aromatic Asian Seafood Dishes
Seafood and Asian herbs, spices, and flavors are a match made in heaven, but when paired with wine, the combination can be quite complex. Light aromatic whites like Grüner Veltliner, Gewürztraminer, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends pair well with Thai and Vietnamese flavors. Rosé can also work well depending on the dominant flavors.
Try this recipe: Vietnamese Lemongrass Beer Steamed Clams
With Spicy Seafood Dishes
A cold beer is a popular accompaniment to spicy seafood dishes like chili mud crab, but Semillon and Riesling are natural white wine pairings. Gewürztraminer is another fantastic, but rarely considered match – you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Try this recipe: Chilli Mud Crab
