Seafood takes center stage at many of the finest restaurants in the world, and it’s no wonder why. From subtle and complex sauces to briny and tart flavors, seafood is the perfect complement to almost any kind of food. However, not everyone knows how to serve it well. In most cases, a good pairing of seafood is all about knowing and matching the right food with the right wine. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best white wine grapes and their compatibility with various types of seafood. From Chardonnay to Sauvignon Blanc, you’ll learn which wines go best with tuna, salmon, shrimp, and more.
What is the best white wine grape for pairing with seafood?
The best white wine grapes for pairing with seafood include Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscadet, and Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay is a versatile wine grape that pairs beautifully with almost any food. It is a great choice for seafood, as it can handle a wide range of flavors, including sea salt, soy sauce, and even citrus flavors. Pinot Blanc is another popular white wine grape. It has floral and fruity aromatics that pair well with seafood, especially game meats such as game birds, venison, and rabbit, as well as citrus-based seafood such as shrimp, oysters, and scallops. Riesling is a semi-sweet white grape that has a strong presence in Germany. It works well with many seafood dishes, especially those with Asian, North African, and/or Thai flavors. Gewürztraminer is a spicy white wine with tropical flavors. It makes a great match for spicy and/or herbal seafood. Muscadet is a dry, off-dry white wine from France. It pairs well with almost all types of seafood, especially Asian and Mediterranean-style foods. Sauvignon Blanc is most commonly known as a white wine from France. It is a great match for most types of seafood, including delicate shellfish.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a versatile white wine grape that is best paired with tropical and/or citrus-based seafood dishes. It has a strong presence in France and is often called the “Champagne of the West” due to its versatility. Chardonnay is best paired with delicate seafood, such as shrimp, scallops, and oysters. It is also a good match for white meats, such as chicken, duck, and pork. Don’t be afraid to try Chardonnay with other types of seafood, such as Alaskan pollock, tuna, salmon, and cod. These wines can handle very strong flavors and are often used for bolder flavors.
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc is a versatile white wine grape that is best paired with seafood that has a floral, fruity, or citrus-based flavor. It is a great match for shellfish and prawns, as well as game meats such as rabbit and venison. Pinot Blanc is also a good match for white meats, such as chicken, duck, and pork. It is a good choice for seafood that has strong herbal or citrus flavors, such as shrimp, scallops, oysters, and fish. This wine is often paired with Asian or Middle Eastern flavors, but it is also a perfect pairing for Mexican dishes such as ceviche.
Riesling
Riesling is a sweet and semi-dry white wine that is often served as an aperitif. It is best paired with seafood that has a floral, fruity, or citrus-based flavor, such as prawns, scallops, oysters, salmon, and fish such as cod, tuna, and salmon. Riesling is also a good match for white meats, such as chicken, duck, and pork. It is often paired with Asian and/or Middle Eastern flavors, but it is also an excellent choice for Mexican dishes. This is one of the most versatile white grapes for pairing with seafood. It is also a good choice for seafood with strong Asian and Middle Eastern flavors.
Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer is a sweet and spicy white wine that is best paired with seafood that has a complex array of flavors, such as Asian and/or Middle Eastern flavors. It is also a good match for shellfish, white meats, and citrus-based foods. This wine is often served as an aperitif and is often paired with Asian and/or Middle Eastern dishes. It is also a good match for shellfish, white meats, and citrus-based foods.
Muscadet
Muscadet is a dry, off-dry white wine from France. It is best paired with seafood that has strong herbal and/or citrus flavors, such as shrimp, scallops, oysters, and fish such as cod, tuna, and salmon. This wine is also a good match for white meats, such as chicken, duck, and pork. It is one of the most versatile white wines for pairing with seafood.
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is most commonly known as a white wine from France. It is a great match for most types of seafood, including delicate shellfish.
Semillon
Semillon is a sweet and fragrant white wine grape from Australia. It is best paired with seafood that has a strong presence of citrus flavors, such as shrimp, scallops, oysters, and fish such as cod, tuna, and salmon. This wine is also a good match for white meats, such as chicken, duck, and pork. It is one of the most versatile white wines for pairing with seafood.