Wine and Crab: Finding the Perfect Pairings

Crab is prized for its delicate, sweet meat that comes in endless preparations from crab cakes to boiled whole crab and more. With this versatile ingredient, what wine pairs best? The most complementary wines allow crab’s subtle flavors to shine. White wines are classic choices, but certain lighter reds also make savory matches with richer crab dishes.

Follow these guidelines to find the ideal wines for the many ways crab graces your table. Uncover what makes whites and reds, ranging from bright and crisp to rich and oaked, natural partners for this cherished crustacean.

Fresh Crab Calls for Crisp, Bright Whites

Simple preparations where crab is the star of the show call for wines that won’t overpower. Light, crisp whites allow sweet crab flavor to take center stage.

Chablis This dry French white has racy acidity and hints of lemon-lime Its precision and minerality complements fresh cracked crab legs or claws
Pinot Grigio The light body citrus notes, and bracing acidity of Italian Pinot Grigio emphasizes sweet crab’s delicate nuances in dishes like crab salad.
Sauvignon Blanc: Zippy, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or France complements crab’s sweetness. Its grassy, citrus qualities also offset fried soft shell crab’s richness.
Dry Riesling: With racy acidity, lime notes, and just a kiss of sweetness, Riesling underscores crab’s sweetness in appetizers like crab tartlets. German Kabinett or Spätlese offer a touch of richness.

Buttery Chardonnay and Fruity Pinot Gris Flatter Rich Crab

Richer crab preparations demand weightier whites like Chardonnay and Pinot Gris with their fuller bodies and ripe fruit.

Unoaked Chardonnay: This style offers richness without heavy oak, letting crab shine. Its creamy body, orchard fruit, and baking spice flavors partner beautifully with dishes like crab bisque or macaroni and cheese with crab.
Buttery oaked Chardonnay: Buttery, toasty oak notes in this Chardonnay style provide an opulent match for creamy baked crab dip, crab gratin, or stuffed crab.
Pinot Gris: With its medium body, notes of pear and citrus, and a faint sweetness, Pinot Gris (Grigio) complements crab casseroles or crab-stuffed mushrooms without overwhelming the crab.

Sparkling Wines Add Festive Bubbles

The effervescence, crisp acidity and food friendly nature of sparkling wines makes them naturals with crab. Pop some bubbles with brunch, appetizers or special occasion meals.

Champagne: This elegant sparkler has refreshing citrus and brioche notes that uplift crab dishes from cakes to salad without overpowering. Opt for brut styles.
Prosecco: Zesty acidity and crisp green apple flavors in this Italian sparkler cut through fried foods, making it perfect for crab fritters or tempura soft shell crab.
Cava: Spanish Cava offers brightness from its lime, green apple and white cherry tones. Its fine bubbles dances delightfully with crab entrees or mini crab cakes.

Fuller-Bodied Reds Complement Spicy Crab

While whites dominate crab pairings, don’t rule out reds, especially with spicy preparations. Light to medium bodied reds work nicely.

Pinot Noir: Its cherry-berry flavors, light tannins and high acidity makes Pinot Noir an unexpected but fantastic pairing with Maryland crab cakes spiked with Old Bay seasoning.
Beaujolais: This French region produces light, fruity reds from Gamay grapes. Its juicy strawberry notes offset fiery crab with Cajun seasoning or crab in spicy Szechuan sauce.
Rosé: Dry rosé works with its bright berry flavors and crispness. Enjoy it with Thai crab salad flavored with chilies, basil, fish sauce and lime.

Prime Picks for Specific Crab Dishes

Some favorite crab dishes have prime wine pairings to take them to new heights.

Crab cakes: A citrusy Sauvignon Blanc cuts through richness while letting crab shine. Crisp brut Champagne is another classic choice.
Cioppino or bouillabaisse: These tomato-based crab stews call for herbal, high acid Sauvignon Blanc or Vermentino to cut through the rich broth.
Crab boil: Cold beers or a rosé are perfect pairings for this casual, finger-licking feast. TheProvence rosé’s berry notes offset spices.
Soft shell crab sandwiches: Lean towards tangy white wines like Albariño with its lemon-lime brightness and salinity that offsets fried richness.

Tips for Fabulous Wine and Crab Pairings

A few simple tips ensure you choose wines that flatter crab:

Rely on high acid whites if crab is the star. Their crispness showcases crab’s natural sweetness.
Choose fuller-bodied whites for crab baked in cream sauce or macaroni and cheese.
Sparkling wines add festive bubbles to dress up crab dishes or cut through fried recipes.
Opt for lighter reds only with strongly flavored crab preparations.
Skip tannic reds that clash with crab’s delicate texture.

Finding the perfect wine match for crab requires paying attention to preparation techniques and any additional seasonings. This ensures the wine enhances crab’s starring role or harmonizes with other flavors. Simply focusing on crab’s sweetness and delicacy guides you to successful pairings.

what wine goes with crab

The best wines to pair with crabPosted by

One of the tastiest types of seafood is crab, which goes well with a crisp white wine. But there are other crab dishes that pair better with a fuller-bodied white or even a red.

Pairing Wine With Seafood: Basics of Wine Pairing

FAQ

What is the best white wine to cook with crab?

Rich and Oaked White Wines Chardonnay, like other rich, oaked whites, brings out the flavor in more full-bodied dishes, including broth-based soups and oily fish like mackerel. Tuna steaks, salmon, lobster, crab, and shrimp will complement rich white wines. For shellfish, like mollusks, look for an unoaked chardonnay.

Can you drink wine after eating crab?

Lower Slower folks are adept at seafood on the barbie. Crab goes well with wine. However, avoid drinking full-bodied reds with crab. Tannins and crab’s protein may upset your stomach.

What wine goes with crab?

However, many wines can go with crab. Here are the basic rules: The wine should be white, not too oaky, fairly crisp with acidity and minerality. Save richer, more buttery, oakier whites for lobster.

What wine goes with crab legs & claws?

Worry no more. You can combine your crab, crab legs, and claws with various wine brands. The sweetness of the crab meat is best complemented by a light and dry white such as a Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or red like Pinot Noir. Chablis is a highly regarded white wine produced from the Chardonnay grape in the Burgundy region of France.

What wine goes with Dungeness crab?

Sauvignon Blanc is a zesty and refreshing wine that pairs well with the delicate flavor of Dungeness crab. Its high acidity and grassy undertones help to enhance the sweetness of the crab meat. If you prefer red wine, Pinot Noir is an excellent choice to pair with Dungeness crab.

What does stone crab wine taste like?

Its natural sweetness helps to create an excellent balance between the salty flavors of succulent stone crabs and the light, refreshing taste of the wine. This wine with stone crab is perfect for a summer day, with its crisp, refreshing notes that linger on the palate.