As a diehard seafood fan, I get giddy when lobster is on the menu That sweet, succulent meat is decadence defined But cooking up some lobster is only half the battle – finding a wine that complements its indulgent flavor can be tricky. Through plenty of delicious trial and error, I’ve nailed down the best wine pairings for everyone’s favorite crustacean.
Lobster can be prepared in so many mouthwatering ways – boiled, broiled, grilled – and the cooking method makes a difference when picking a wine. You want a wine that underscores lobster’s natural sweetness, without overpowering its delicate flavor. Here are my top recommendations for wines that go fabulously with lobster.
Chardonnay
Rich, buttery Chardonnay is hands-down the classic pairing with lobster. The creamy oak flavors complement the melted butter that lobster is so often drenched in. Additionally, Chardonnay has enough body and texture to stand up to lobster’s richness. The acidity in Chardonnay also cuts through the butter, preventing a heavy feeling on the palate.
When I asked foodie friends about their favorite lobster wines, Chardonnay was always the first answer. As my buddy James told me, “I always go for a nice oaky California Chardonnay with lobster. It just has the perfect notes to complement the butter.”
While oaked styles are ideal, even an unoaked Chardonnay can work beautifully with its bright fruit flavors playing off the sweetness of the meat. Overall, Chardonnay is a pairing slam dunk.
Riesling
While not an obvious choice, Riesling’s bright acidity and hint of sweetness make it one of the most versatile pairings with lobster. German Rieslings labeled Spätlese or Auslese balance the sweetness of the lobster sublimely. Their stone fruit and floral notes intermingle deliciously with the shellfish flavors.
For creamy lobster preparations, Riesling is magic. As my friend Alicia R. told me, “Riesling is my tried-and-true match with lobster Newburg. It enhances the sauce so nicely.” Riesling handles richness with finesse.
Sauvignon Blanc
For a lighter, brighter pairing, turn to zesty Sauvignon Blanc. Its grassy, citrus notes and racy acidity complement lobster beautifully. The tart grapefruit flavors contrast the natural sweetness of the lobster meat. Lean towards herbaceous styles from New Zealand or France’s Loire Valley for a mouthwatering match.
As Ryan S. said, “I really like Sauvignon Blanc with grilled lobster. The citrus just brings out the smoky flavors.” For boiled lobster, Sauvignon Blanc can work nicely too by cutting through the richness.
Rosé
Nothing says summer indulgence like lobster with rosé! Dry, acidic rosés made from the likes of Grenache and Syrah have red fruit flavors that flatter sweeter seafood. The bright acidity scrubs the palate clean after each butter-soaked bite. Plus, rosé looks gorgeous on the summer table!
“Rosé and lobster just scream warm weather luxury to me,” said my friend Lauren G. “I love pairing a crisp Provençal rosé with lobster rolls on the patio.”
For the lightest pairing, opt for dry rosés from Provence or Southern France. Their delicate flavors won’t overtake the lobster.
Pinot Noir
When it comes to reds, Pinot Noir is my top recommendation with lobster. Its light body, bright acidity and red fruit profile complement the sweet lobster flavor instead of competing with it. Pinot also has earthy, savory notes that align with the shellfish.
As my friend Thomas R. told me, “Pinot Noir is my red wine exception for lobster. It works because it’s light enough.” Focus on Pinot Noir from Burgundy, Oregon or California for a seamless match.
Key Tips for Picking a Lobster Wine
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Prioritize high acidity to cut through butter and cream.
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Avoid big, tannic reds that will overwhelm the delicate meat.
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Match the body and oak influence to the preparation method.
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Off-dry whites like Riesling pair well with richer dishes.
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Sparkling is always festive with luxury seafood like lobster!
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Old World wines like Albariño and Txakoli complement lobster nicely.
No matter what wine you select, enjoying it with your meal is what matters most. The right wine should accentuate, not compete with, the flavor of the lobster. Trust your palate to guide you to that perfect pairing. Cheers to stellar seafood and sip-worthy wines!
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General advice for pairing wines with lobster
Chris Gaither, sommelier and partner at Ungrafted wine bar in San Francisco, told Decanter in 2019 that the best advice he could give was to pair a wine that wouldn’t overpower the lobster’s flavor.
He said this meant “no heavy, tannic reds, which could possibly create weird flavors when mixed with lobster.”
As long as the lobster is served, Kelvin McCabe, group head sommelier for chef Adam Handling’s restaurants, like the Frog in London’s Covent Garden, says that the wines should always have a ripe fruity middle palate to go with it.
Wines with lobster at-a-glance
Do try:
- Vintage Champagne, especially blanc de blancs
- Sparkling rosé, traditional method
- Chardonnay: For lighter dishes, try an unoaked Chablis or a lightly oaked wine. If there is a butter sauce, choose an oaked wine.
- Soave Classico
- Grüner Veltliner
- Experiment with Ribolla Gialla, Vinho Verde or light red wines.
Avoid:
- Big, tannic reds won’t do you any favours here
It is barely believable to think lobsters were called ‘cockroaches of the sea’. It was once a humble food, but in the 20th century, it became a treat, kind of like oysters.
It goes without saying that freshness is very important when it comes to lobster, according to chef Michel Roux Jr., who wrote about this on Decanter before. com that ‘it is important you begin with a live lobster’ when preparing a meal.
When it comes to wine, lobster can be a complicated customer. People like lobster meat because it’s juicy and slightly sweet, but you can also get it in a lot of different ways, like lobster rolls or thermidor.
Someone you know might be interested in learning how to pair, taste, and serve your favorite wines. Find out more… .
How to pair wine with Lobster || Perfect Wine Pairing With Lobster || Wine Pairing With Seafood
What wine goes with lobster?
Lobster poached in butter with spices has a solid backbone to pair with the textural white wine. Grilled lobster seasoned with spices would be nicely rounded out with a Rhône white as well. Although Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most prestigious appellation of the Southern Rhône, other regional white blends would make a delicious pairing too.
What wine goes with lobster risotto?
In lobster risotto, the lobster’s sweetness and risotto’s creaminess call for a fruity, medium-bodied Pinot Gris like King Estate Pinot Gris. The wine’s subtle citrus and pear flavors echo the dish’s richness and provide balance. 9. Lobster Fra Diavolo: Nero d’Avola
How to choose a good wine for lobster?
In simple words, this is how you can choose good wine for lobster: Lobsters served with a creamy sauce: You can pair your dish with either an oaked or unoaked Chardonnay, as well as a white Burgundy or Chablis. Lobsters with spicy seasonings: A dry or off-dry Riesling is a good option. You can also opt for a Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris.
What wine goes with lobster tail & claw meat?
We are also partial to chunks of tail and claw meat tossed with pasta in a light cream sauce. Either way, we like to pair a white or sparkling wine that has a full texture to hold up to firm lobster and bold acidity to cut through butter or cream. Here are a few of our picks.