Wine pairing is a nice way to give your pallet a new experience. It’s also the perfect way to level up any meal including a delicious shrimp dish. Here are the best wines to go with fried shrimp, garlic shrimp, or shrimp curry and other shrimp dishes. From crisp whites to bold reds, there’s a wine for every shrimp lover’s taste.
Shrimp is one of the most beloved seafoods, finding its way into everything from scampi to salads Its versatility makes it a favorite for home cooks and restaurant chefs alike But when it comes time to pair your shrimp dish with wine, should you reach for white or red? The answer may surprise you.
While crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are classic choices with shellfish don’t overlook red wine. The right red can beautifully complement shrimp’s delicate sweetness and succulent texture. With a bit of knowledge and experimentation, you can discover inspired shrimp and red wine pairings.
Why Red Wine Works with Shrimp
At first glance, robust red wine seems like an odd match for tender shrimp. However, with the right characteristics, red wine can enhance shrimp’s qualities rather than overpower them. Here’s why red wine deserves a place at the table with shrimp:
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Acidity balances richness: Shrimp is often prepared in creamy, buttery, or fried iterations. The bright acidity in red wine cuts through richness and prevents heaviness.
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Tannins contrast texture: The firm tannins in reds provide an interesting textural contrast to shrimp’s signature snap. It’s like seasoning with a dash of astringency.
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Fruit complements sweetness: Red fruit flavors like cherry, raspberry, and strawberry beautifully complement shrimp’s subtle sweetness.
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Oak adds depth: Subtle oak influence as found in a Pinot Noir can provide depth and structure while still letting shrimp shine.
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Versatility matches globally inspired dishes: Red wine can stand up to the complex layers of Thai, Indian, or Creole shrimp preparations.
The key is choosing a red wine that’s light in body with lively acidity and minimal tannins. This allows the wine to dance gracefully with shrimp instead of trampling over it.
3 Tips for Pairing Shrimp with Red Wine
While shrimp can work with red wine, every bottle isn’t necessarily a good match. Use these tips to home in on the reds that will create magic with shellfish:
1. Select a lightweight, low-tannin red
Full-bodied Cabernet or Malbec would overshadow delicate shrimp. Instead, look to reds like Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Grenache with their more delicate profiles. Their zingy acidity, ethereal body, and silky tannins won’t obscure shrimp’s texture and flavor.
2. Complement seasoning and preparation
Match the red wine’s flavor profile to the seasonalings and cooking method used for the shrimp. For example, an herby, peppery Grenache would match blackened shrimp while strawberry-noted Pinot Noir works with coconut shrimp
3. Consider regional and ethnic flavors
Let the culinary heritage of a shrimp dish guide your wine choice. An Italian Valpolicella reinforces garlic shrimp scampi’s origins while a Spanish Grenache echoes paella’s roots.
7 Perfect Red Wines to Pair with Shrimp
Use these red wine varieties as your starting point to identify stellar pairings with shrimp dishes:
1. Pinot Noir
Cherry, earth, and touch of oak in Pinot Noir highlights shrimp’s sweetness. Its delicate body and gentle tannins won’t overpower. Try Oregon or California Pinot with grilled shrimp skewers or shrimp risotto.
2. Gamay
The classic red of Beaujolais with its red berry fruit and zippy acidity effortlessly matches shrimp’s vibrancy. Chill a Cru Beaujolais slightly and serve with plump poached shrimp.
3. Grenache
Grenache’s bright red fruit and white pepper notes align beautifully with spicy shrimp preparations. Its friendly tannins cut richness for dishes like shrimp etouffee.
4. Sangiovese
The principal grape of Chianti brings cherry and herbal flavors that complement tomato-based shrimp dishes. Its lively acidity balances the richness of shrimp scampi pasta.
5. Valpolicella
This Italian blend of Corvina, Molinara, and Rondinella offers cherry and almond flavors with minimal tannins. It’s tailor-made for garlicky, lemony shrimp scampi.
6. Zweigelt
Austria’s signature red combines juicy cherry with a hint of pepper. Its silky texture and brightness stands up to bold Southeast Asian shrimp curries.
7. Bardolino Chiaretto
This pale rosé made from Corvina has watermelon and almond notes ideal for shrimp cocktails or salads. It’s a more elegant match than white wine.
Examples of Delectable Shrimp and Red Wine Pairings
To get your creative juices flowing, here are some sensational shrimp and red wine pairing ideas to try at home:
- Garlic butter shrimp with Pinot Noir
- Shrimp salad with grapefruit, fennel, and avocado with Bardolino Chiaretto rosé
- Shrimp tacos with mango salsa and cilantro crema paired with nouveau Beaujolais
- Coconut shrimp with pineapple chutney and Oregon Pinot Noir
- Shrimp jambalaya spiked with andouille sausage and Cru Beaujolais
- Grilled shrimp skewers glazed with ginger miso and served with cool climate Grenache
- Shrimp pad thai with crushed peanuts and Austrian Zweigelt
- Shrimp masala with basmati rice and Chianti Classico Riserva
- Cajun barbecue shrimp with Louisiana hot sauce and California Pinot Noir
Don’t limit yourself to the usual white wines with shrimp. Branch out with food-friendly reds to find exciting new flavor combinations. Trust your palate and experiment freely within the spectrum of lighter-bodied reds. You’ll discover that red wine can be an inspired pairing for shrimp’s sweet succulence when matched thoughtfully. So go ahead – drink red wine with shrimp guilt-free and taste the delicious results.
Great wine pairings for shrimps
A medium-bodied Sauvignon Blanc is refreshing and herbaceous, balancing the savory shrimp and eggs. Its citrus notes cut through richness while still satisfying. The herbaceous grapefruit flavors of Sauvignon Blanc complement the ginger and scallions in the fried rice.
Nothing says “garlic” like an Italian Pinot Grigio. Its melon and stone fruit flavors provide a bright counterpart to intense garlic flavors. The pear and apricot notes in Pinot Grigio nicely offset the roasty, savory garlic compounds. Vegetable-forward Sauvignon Blanc would also shine here with its green bean and asparagus character.
For coconut shrimp, serve a medium-sweet Pinot Noir or Merlot. Berry and cherry flavors complement the tropical coconut without overpowering it. There are notes of cherry cola and cocoa in Pinot Noir that go so well with the coconut milk and shrimp.
A juicy Gruner Veltliner or Grüner Veltliner is perfect for a shrimp po’boy. Its green pepper and herb aromas reflect the sandwich’s Cajun influence, while crisp acidity prevents heaviness. Bitter and green Gruner Veltliner tastes like sliced jalapeños and Creole spices that give food a kick.
To make a spicy shrimp curry less spicy, a Chenin Blanc with peach and honey notes that is safe for food doesn’t water down the complex flavors. An off-dry Riesling would also do the trick with apricot, melon, and ginger spice notes. The honeyed sweetness and peach flesh in Chenin Blanc balance the fiery chilies and coconut milk.
Serve a floral and fruity Pinot Grigio, Viognier, or Albariño with a shrimp salad. Their stone fruit, citrus, and melon flavors marry the mayonnaise and bright vegetables for a refreshing lunch. It tastes like celery and red onion, but the pear, citrus, and melon in these wines make your mouth feel cool.
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Can you drink red wine with shrimp?
To be frank, usually not. But hey, rule #1 of food and wine pairing is to drink what you like so if you like red wine, drink red wine. If possible, as to not overpower the delicate flavors of shrimp, opt for a red wine that’s light-bodied, high in acidity, and easy on the oak.
What wine goes with shrimp?
Regardless of how you prepare your shrimp dish, the following wines will be a good match. Generally, you want to pick a white wine with bright acidity that’s dry or off dry. Light to medium bodied whites are best but there are some shrimp dishes that can handle a fuller style white wine. For specific shrimp dishes and wine pairing, keep scrolling.
How do you choose a white wine for shrimp?
Generally, you want to pick a white wine with bright acidity that’s dry or off dry. Light to medium bodied whites are best but there are some shrimp dishes that can handle a fuller style white wine. For specific shrimp dishes and wine pairing, keep scrolling. In no particular order: Are you tired of wasting money on wine you don’t like?
What wine goes with shrimp gumbo?
Zinfandel is a medium to full-bodied red wine that pairs well with spicier shrimp dishes. Because the wine’s intense fruit flavors and peppery notes complement the robust spices used in many Cajun or Creole shrimp recipes like shrimp gumbo. Also its a great choice for those who prefer a bolder wine than Pinot Noir.