What Kind of White Wine Should You Use for Shrimp Scampi? A Guide to the Best Pairings

A bowl of tender shrimp sautéed in garlic, butter, and white wine sauce is the epitome of easy elegance. The classic Italian-American dish shrimp scampi makes a quick weeknight meal yet feels special enough for date night at home. But what type of white wine works best?

With hundreds of white wine grapes and styles to choose from, it can be downright overwhelming trying to select the right one for shrimp scampi. You want a wine that will complement, not overpower, the simple flavors of the shrimp and sauce.

In this guide, we’ll recommend the best white wine varieties to use in shrimp scampi and explain what makes them so compatible Let’s dive in!

What is Shrimp Scampi?

First things first, what exactly is shrimp scampi? Authentic Italian scampi refers to a specific type of lobster-like crustacean called a langoustine. But in Italian-American cuisine, the term scampi has come to mean shrimp sautéed in garlic, butter, and white wine.

The ingredients for shrimp scampi are simple:

• Shrimp – either small or large shrimp work great
• Butter – usually a few tablespoons to sauté
• Olive oil – adds flavor
• Garlic – 2-4 cloves, minced
• White wine – usually about 1/2 cup
• Lemon juice – balances the richness
• Parsley or oregano – fresh herbs for flavor

The shrimp are quickly sautéed in the garlic-butter sauce until just cooked through. The white wine adds acidity to balance the richness of the butter and brings all the flavors together.

How to Select the Right White Wine Varietal

With such a simple preparation, it’s key to pick a white wine that enhances, not masks, the flavor of the shrimp. You want the wine to marry harmoniously with the other ingredients.

Here are some tips for selecting a varietal

Go with a lighter style white – Young, crisp, bright whites pair best to let the shrimp shine. Avoid oaked or heavily textured wines.

Select a dry white wine – Dry whites have more acidity to cut the richness of the butter and sauce. Off-dry wines can taste flabby or too sweet.

Consider medium-bodied whites – Full-bodied whites may overpower the delicate shrimp. Light-bodied wines won’t have enough presence. Medium gives you the best of both worlds.

Complementary flavor notes – Citrus, grassy, herbal, and stone fruit flavors in white wines beautifully accent shrimp. Stay away from tropical or melon-forward whites.

Price doesn’t mean quality – No need to splurge on pricey wines! Inexpensive whites often pair just as well or better with simple dishes like scampi.

Now let’s look at some excellent white wine varietals and styles that align with these criteria. These are fail-proof options that any seafood lover should have on hand.

The Best White Wines for Shrimp Scampi

1. Pinot Grigio

An Italian favorite, Pinot Grigio has delicately spiced pear and citrus notes that partner seamlessly with shrimp scampi’s garlicky, lemony flavors. Its medium body stands up to the sauce without overwhelming. Pinot Grigio’s food-friendly acidity cuts through the butter’s richness. A budget-friendly crowd pleaser!

2. Sauvignon Blanc

With its vibrant acidity, grassy aromas, and kiwi-like fruit, a young Sauvignon Blanc is an easy match for shrimp scampi. Its tart, herbal qualities counterbalance the dish’s richness. Unoaked styles work best. Loire Valley Sancerre is a splurge-worthy choice.

3. Albariño

This light, crisp, and dry Spanish white offers lip-smacking acidity along with appealing stone fruit and citrus notes. Albariño is an up-and-coming alternative to better-known wines like Pinot Grigio. Its minerality pairs perfectly with seafood.

4. Soave

Hailing from the Veneto region of Italy, Soave delivers fresh lemon-lime flavor along with delicate almond aromas that flatter scampi’s garlicky highlights. Soave tends to be inexpensive, food-friendly, and so versatile with all kinds of seafood.

5. Vermentino

With its bracing acidity, citrus and pineapple flavors, Vermentino is a unique Italian/French white that brightens up scampi. The best versions offer white flower aromas and a salinity evoking the nearby Mediterranean sea.

6. unoaked Chardonnay

Without oak aging, Chardonnay has a crisp, clean flavor featuring green apple and citrus notes that let the shrimp shine. Skip the buttery, oaked styles and look for a steel-fermented Chardonnay.

7. Sparkling White Wine

The zippy acidity and tiny bubbles of an Italian Prosecco, Spanish Cava, or other affordable sparkling perfectly cut through shrimp scampi’s richness. Brut or extra dry styles work well. Save the Champagne for another occasion.

How Much White Wine Should You Use in Shrimp Scampi?

Most shrimp scampi recipes call for around 1/2 cup of white wine for 2-3 servings. This keeps the sauce light while still imparting lots of bright flavor. Too much wine can make the sauce bitter and overly acidic.

Always add the wine gradually to the skillet, bringing it to a simmer to cook off some of the alcohol before topping with shrimp.

If avoiding alcohol, you can use reduced-alcohol or non-alcoholic wines in cooking. Chicken or fish stock can also substitute for some or all of the wine.

Cooking Tips for Shrimp Scampi and White Wine

• Pat shrimp dry before sautéing so they sear vs steam. Dry shrimp will caramelize better.

• Use extra virgin olive oil or olive oil blend for best flavor. Don’t skimp on quality butter either.

• Squeeze some lemon right before serving to brighten up flavors.

• Add parsley, oregano, pepper flakes, lemon zest or other herbs to match your wine.

• Simmer the wine 2-3 minutes to reduce bitterness and mellow the alcohol taste.

• Undercooking shrimp leaves them rubbery. Cook until opaque and just beginning to curl.

• For easy peel-and-eat, leave shells on for cooking, then remove before serving.

• Don’t disregard cheaper wines! Juicy, budget-friendly wines often pair best with simple seafood.

What if I Don’t Drink Wine?

If you need an alcohol-free option, chicken or vegetable broth lend savory depth. Lemon juice can also supply brightness.

For a different flavor, use coconut milk with a squeeze of lime juice and red pepper flakes. Top with fresh cilantro instead of parsley.

You can also sauté shrimp in seasoned butter and serve with lemon wedges on the side. Drizzle shrimp with fresh orange or lime juice just before eating.

The Takeaway

Shrimp scampi’s simple preparation puts a premium on choosing a white wine that interplays seamlessly with the garlic, butter, and bright lemon flavors. Young, crisp, dry whites in the medium-bodied range work best.

Italian favorites like Pinot Grigio and Soave, Spanish Albariño, French Sancerre, or zesty Sauvignon Blanc are all sure bets. Sparkling wines also bring fun effervescence. Sample some of our suggestions to discover your perfect pairing!